Social Issues

Israel’s Palestinian citizens grow louder in protesting the Gaza war
Palestinian citizens make up 20 percent of Israel’s population, and many grieve the suffering in Gaza. Hundreds were arrested or lost jobs for questioning the war there, and doing so can still be perilous.
Minneapolis officials discuss possible next use for former 3rd Precinct site
Minneapolis city officials are recommending that the city’s Elections and Voter Services offices be housed in the former 3rd Precinct police station. However, some council members say the city needs to get more public input before it goes any further on the plan.
Minnesota veteran walks 1,000 miles to eclipse in Texas to spread hope
Daniel Crawford walked from Austin, Minn., to just outside Austin, Texas, to raise awareness and money for Duluth-based charity 23rd Veteran, which Crawford credits for helping him become sober.
A Republican and a Democrat make the case for civility in politics
Former North Dakota U.S. Sen. Heidi Heitkamp, a Democrat, and former North Dakota Gov. Ed Schafer, a Republican, encourage people to break out of a cycle of cultural divisions to work toward bipartisan civil discourse.
Tackling the burden of medical debt
The Minnesota Legislature is considering a proposal to change how medical debt is handled. Listen back to a conversation with MPR News host Angela Davis about the burden of medical debt and what can be done about it.
Judge dismisses lawsuit of injured Dakota Access pipeline protester
U.S. District Court Judge Daniel Traynor granted motions to dismiss the 2018 lawsuit by Sophia Wilansky, whose left forearm was injured in the blast from an “explosive munition” or a flashbang during a clash between protesters and law enforcement officers at a blocked highway bridge in November 2016.
The loneliness epidemic: Why we’re lonely and how we can build connections
Two researchers joined MPR News host Angela Davis to help us understand why so many of us feel lonely, and why our mental health is so closely tied to serious physical health impacts.
New center aims to help people with an intellectual disability get college degrees in Minnesota
Fewer than 3 percent of students with an intellectual disability in Minnesota attend college, according to the Minnesota Inclusive Higher Education Consortium. Advocates are working to change those numbers.
New program looking for fosters to help keep domestic violence survivors with their pets
The Minnesota Pet Foster coalition is looking to address a gap in services for survivors of domestic violence by ensuring the safety of their pets too.