Social Issues

Big group of refugees to resettle in St. Cloud
Lutheran Social Services plans to resettle 300 refugees over the next three years in St. Cloud. Refugee populations, mostly from Somalia, have had a growing presence in St. Cloud for the past decade.
Hmong leaders consider value of identity politics after losing seats
The upcoming retirements of St. Paul lawmakers Mee Moua and Cy Thao means there won't be a Hmong legislator at the Capitol next session -- for the first time in about nine years.
Lutheran church revisits bilingual past for Sudanese immigrants
About a century ago, the founders of Bethlehem Lutheran Church in St. Cloud prayed and sang in their first language: Norwegian. But today a different foreign language emanates from the church.
A federal appeals court put same-sex weddings in California on hold indefinitely Monday while it considers the constitutionality of the state's gay marriage ban.
Teens represent African nations in annual Brooklyn Center beauty pageant
Several ethnic festivals took place around the Twin Cities this past weekend including Greek, Polish, Indian and Irish, but there was a different type of ethnic event in Brooklyn Center -- the 5th Annual Miss Teen Africa True Beauty Pageant.
3 war vets, 1 good leg: Amputees climb Kilimanjaro
The three American veterans from three different wars had only one good leg among them. But that didn't stop them from summiting Africa's highest mountain.
GOP senator suggests mosque will be election issue
A Republican senator is suggesting there could be political fallout from President Barack Obama's remarks about building a mosque near the site of the Sept. 11 attacks in New York City.
After about 17 years and six return trips to jail due to substance abuse problems, Jess Bohlman knows that once he gets out of jail, he won't be returning. Bohlman is using his talents as an artist as a way to stay clean.
The University of St. Thomas has created a special Hall of Fame to honor the state's greatest real estate dealmakers.