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Social Issues

One employer eases a vet's deployment and reintegration to civilian life

One employer eases a vet's deployment and reintegration to civilian life

Some business go to great lengths to help employees and their families when they're called up for military service. That assistance, says one central Minnesota man, helped make his deployment and transition back to civilian life, more manageable.
by Mark Zdechlik

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What is a DBE?

The Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, or DBE, program was put in place by the federal government nearly 30 years ago, to encourage businesses owned by minorities and women to bid on government contracts.
by Dan Olson

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Excerpts from Joanne Wagner's whistleblower lawsuit

Joanne Wagner is the former director of MnDOT's Office of Equal Employment Opportunity. Wagner filed a whistleblower lawsuit against the agency in July 2007, claiming she was demoted after she recommended against awarding a contract to Granite and McCrossan. She settled her suit in early November for $170,000, and is leaving the agency. Here are excerpts from her lawsuit.

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A timeline of the MnDOT projects in question

This timeline shows the progress on two major MnDOT contracts which are now under scrutiny by federal investigators for inadequate hiring of minority and women-owned businesses.

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MnDOT falls far short on goals for hiring women and minority contractors

MnDOT falls far short on goals for hiring women and minority contractors

Women and minority-owned businesses in Minnesota have missed out on tens of millions of dollars worth of state highway and transit contracts, in possible violation of federal law. The federal government has launched an investigation, and a MnDOT employee filed a whistleblower lawsuit, saying she was threatened with firing because she brought the issue to her supervisor's attention.
by Dan Olson

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MnDOT admits it hasn't met DBE goals

The Minnesota Department of Transportation has fallen short for years on its own goals for hiring minority and women-owned businesses on construction projects.
by Dan Olson

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Priest puts L.A.'s ex-gang members to work

Rev. Greg Boyle is the founder of Los Angeles-based Homeboy Industries, an organization that gives jobs to young men and women who agree to give up the gang life.

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A five-year plan to end hunger in the Twin Cities

A five-year plan to end hunger in the Twin Cities

A consortium of Twin Cities nonprofits say they have a plan to end hunger in the metro area in the next five years. How will it work?

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Why the glass ceiling still exists

Why the glass ceiling still exists

Recent research reveals a dilemma for women leaders, trying to exhibit leadership and toughness. Midmorning explores the challenges to finding a straightforward answer to why there aren't more women leaders in the workplace.

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