Ground Level®: Amplifying Community Voices

Your story is powerful. The stories you share with others honor the complexity of our communities while forging a more equitable and vibrant future.

Call 651-228-4800 and leave us a voice memo. If you're more comfortable texting, you can text “Hello” to 1-833-870-4111. You can also email us at tell@mpr.org and join in on conversations in our Ground Level Facebook group.

We’d like to hear your thoughts and questions. Your ideas about solutions. How are your communities? What are you seeing today? And what do you want to see tomorrow?

Note that while we will exercise editorial judgment for language, length and avoiding personal attacks, we will not sacrifice your meaning. We will ensure your main message comes through on air and online.

Have you ever used a gun in self-defense?
Judging by responses to an MPR query, most gun owners in our Public Insight Network have never used their weapons in self defense. Some reported that showing the gun was enough.
Safety, security and self-reliance — Part 1. Guns
People around Minnesota report owning guns for a variety of reasons, including self protection. Some use guns strictly to hunt and call the prospect of shooting another person unsettling or even horrifying.
The Price of Safety: Law enforcement spending peaks
MPR News’ Ground Level project is launching a new topic page called “The Price of Safety,” looking at the pressure on public safety spending and new approaches to law enforcement that are resulting.
After discussing health care concerns with more than 1,000 Minnesotans, two civic organizations report to state: Give people a bigger role in making their health care decisions.