Social Issues

A story of hope amid despair
A new novel by Mayo Clinic doctor and obesity researcher James Levine tells the story of a young Indian girl forced into a life of prostitution. Dr. Levine says the novel sprang from a visit to the slums of Mumbai and encounter there that haunts him to this day.
Rep. Ellison says U.S. trying to ensure safe return of missing Somalis
Minnesota Congressman Keith Ellison said the U.S. government is trying to ensure the safe return of some of the young Somali-American men believed to be fighting with a terrorist group in their homeland.
The city of St. Paul is launching a pilot program aimed at increasing the number of minorities in the city's ranks of firefighters and emergency medical technicians. The program is the first of its kind in Minnesota. The program will pay 40 participants up to 25 hours a week while they go through one of two 10-week EMT certification programs. If they get the certification, they can take the firefighter test. Coleman says offering paid training makes it more likely applicants will attend, even if they can't afford to quit their jobs. St. Paul Councilmember Melvin Carter says it's important to have a diverse Fire Department since firefighters are called on regularly to assist people from different cultures.
The impact of social networks explored at Aspen
Three journalists on an Aspen Ideas Festival panel titled, "Tweeting the Revolution: Will Social Networking and Journalism Drive Democracy?"