Social Issues

First-time author draws raves with 'The Story of Edgar Sawtelle'
David Wroblewski's book "The Story of Edgar Sawtelle" has been drawing rave reviews. While it grew out of his desire to write about the special bonds between dogs and humans, an important part of the story is that the title character, Edgar, cannot speak.
Homeless shelter near GOP convention site to remain open
The Dorothy Day Center in downtown St. Paul will remain open and enhance its services when the Republican National Convention comes to St. Paul in September. Catholic Charities runs the center and has been working on a plan for what it will do differently during the convention.
To solve racial disparities, parents, schools call truce
The education gap between black and white students in Minneapolis public schools has been the source of an increasingly bitter struggle, but a group of parents and the school board have decided to call a truce.
Singing in Grover's Corners
Turning famous works of American literature into operas has become something of a trend lately. St. Paul's Skylark Opera company is presenting the upper Midwest premiere of one of the latest, Ned Rorem's adaptation of "Our Town."
Still seeking an end to homelessness
The Bush administration's homelessness czar campaigns for a complete end to homelessness. Philip Mangano says more permanent housing is the way to address the chronic problem. But the troubled economy and injured war veterans may add many more homeless.