Social Issues

Scientists from the Mayo Clinic and two other research labs say they've found an efficient way to make red blood cells from human embryonic stem cells, a possible step toward making transfusion supplies in the laboratory.
The new philanthropy
The leaders of two large foundations serving Minnesota talk about how charitable giving has changed. Both the presidents of the McKnight and Bush foundations say the needs keep growing, but they have different ways of dealing with society's ills.
A new face for America
Recent census numbers show that ethnic minorities in the United States will represent more than half of the country by the year 2050. Midmorning speaks with two futurists on how these changing demographics will impact American communities.
When love and money collide
For the past six years, Wall Street Journal columnist Jeff Opdyke has opened up his family's personal finance discussions to readers. Now on the verge of ending the column, he shares what he's learned about love and money.
A young girl's sweet 15
In Latin American countries, the quince is a right of passage for young Latinas. Their 15th birthday is the time for a social and religious coming-of-age ceremony. It's a custom that's becoming more common in the U.S.
A reporter looks back at his grim past
New York Times reporter David Carr thought his life might make a good book. So he wrote about the time of his life that was filled with drug use, parenting mishaps and close encounters with oblivion. It's a junkie memoir, but one that Carr says was reported, not invented.
Dozens arrested as part of national ICE sweep
Federal immigration officials have arrested 50 people, most of them alleged gang members and associates, as part of a national crackdown on gangs with roots in other countries.
Boomer havens
Retirement communities are more in demand than ever, but critics say they are artificial and too exclusive.