Social Issues

Minn. cold weather rule starts Wednesday
The rule protects people from having their utility service shut off through the winter months.
Life outside the projects in Chicago
Chicago was known for having some of the largest and most dangerous public housing complexes in the country. In recent years, however, these projects are being torn down. Chicago, along with other cities, is moving its public housing residents to mixed income housing. The hope is that if poor people move out of areas of concentrated poverty, they'll have more opportunities.
Lenders now working to help homeowners avoid foreclosure
There are signs it could be getting easier for homeowners facing foreclosure to hang on to their homes. That's because lenders are more willing now to modify the terms of their loans.
Minnesota Power customers upset over rate hike proposal
Some northeast Minnesota residents are charged up over a plan to hike electric rates. Duluth-based Minnesota power is proposing price increases that, in percentage terms, will hit low income households and small businesses a lot harder than big industries.
A Twin Cities teacher feels we are teaching in circles
A Twin Cities teacher looks at his life and work, and gives it a lackluster report card. Nathan Miller has tried to reconcile these internal conflicts in his new book.
Minnesota's Latino advisory council celebrates 30th anniversary
This month marks a milestone for the Chicano Latino Affairs Council, a small agency created in 1978 to be a liaison between Latinos and the state government.
Economic pain stresses people and services
The number of people seeking food, shelter, medical care and other necessities is up and social service agencies are feeling the demand.
Developer scraps plans for sober housing
A nonprofit developer behind a large sober-housing proposal in St. Paul said Tuesday it's scrapping its plans because of intense opposition from neighbors. Opponents created an anonymous Web site that featured photos of drug syringes and people passed out in yards.
Looking at the upside of pessimism
The country's financial turmoil has many Americans fearing for the worst. And, according to some, the nation's newfound pessimism might not be such a bad thing.
White Earth prepares criminal code to replace state law
The White Earth Nation plans to enact a tribal criminal code. The intent is to eliminate state jurisdiction over tribal members on the reservation.