Social Issues

Isanti County -- how to help the 'new poor'
The foreclosure crisis has hit Isanti County, about an hour north of the Twin Cities, particularly hard. It's put a great deal of pressure on local governments and nonprofit groups to provide assistance to residents who are in bad financial shape, even as many of them are too proud to accept it.
Senate Republicans on Tuesday blocked an effort to repeal the ban on gays from serving openly in the military, handing gay rights groups a defeat in their last chance any time soon to overturn the law known as "don't ask, don't tell."
Minnesota's undocumented students await action on Dream Act
Hundreds of young people in Minnesota could benefit each year under the proposal that would provide a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants if they complete high school and at least two years of college or military service.