Social Issues

July 14, 2004 9:00 AM

Hmong refugees get mental health services in Thailand

At least 18 Hmong families have now arrived in Minnesota from a camp in Thailand. They are among an estimated 5000 refugees who are expected to resettle in the state by the end of the year. A fact-finding team traveled to Thailand and assessed the needs of the refugees earlier this year, and found a high degree of mental health issues among adults. Morning Edition host Cathy Wurzer talked with Xong Mouacheupao, a mental health counselor for the Minnesota-based Amherst H. Wilder Foundation who is at the refugee camp in Thailand providing individual and family therapy.

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!

July 13, 2004 1:20 PM

The meaning of marriage

Everyone's talking about marriage these days. The debate rages from the congregations to the Congress. Most of the discussion centers on who should be allowed to marry whom, and if the definition of marriage should be expanded to include gays and lesbians. We wanted to back up a step and ask: What is marriage? MPR's Chris Julin presents a discussion with several gay and straight couples about the meaning of marriage.

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!

July 7, 2004 1:20 PM

Don't kill all the lawyers!

Morris Dees, co-founder of the Southern Poverty Law Center, spoke recently about the nobility of the legal profession at West Publishing in Eagen. SPLC is a public interest law firm that tracks white supremecist activities in the United States.

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!

July 6, 2004 4:00 PM

Red Lake students score lower than other Indian kids on standardized test

Statistics show Minnesota's American Indian children typically perform below average on the state's basic skills tests. The most recent scores have people on the Red Lake reservation especially worried. Students there scored significantly lower than Indian students anywhere else in the state. Red Lake School District officials say there are lots of reasons for the poor scores, including geographic isolation, widespread poverty, and a lack of commitment to education by some parents. School officials are now trying to figure out how to move forward.

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!

July 6, 2004 12:01 AM

Jobs for Hmong refugees a priority and a challenge

Last month, Tong Her stepped off a plane in the Twin Cities after an 8,000-mile trip from Thailand. He arrived with his wife and nine other relatives -- the first in a wave of Hmong refugees coming to Minnesota over the next few months. Her told a reporter his first priority is finding work, something almost always easier said than done.

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!

July 5, 2004 12:20 PM

Coming to America

This Fourth of July weekend, we ask for MPR listeners to call in with their stories about coming to America.

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!

July 2, 2004 10:20 AM

Fragile families

A new program partly funded by Minnesota marriage license surcharges would encourage parents of babies born in Minneapolis or St. Paul to pursue marriage, or at least a more permanent relationship.

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!

July 1, 2004 11:00 AM

'A quiet friction' over new immigrants

Immigrants make up about 10 to 12 percent of the population around Albert Lea in Freeborn County. Many of the most recent arrivals are from Africa -- Ethiopians, Sudanese, Nigerians. For generations, Mexicans got jobs here as migrant farmhands. Gradually, some began to stay, as jobs in meatpacking plants expanded in Albert Lea and nearby towns. Mexicans are the region's largest immigrant group. But some area residents still object to the numbers of immigrants living in the area.

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!

July 1, 2004 10:20 AM

United States tightens Cuba embargo

The Bush administration has imposed new sanctions against Cuba. The tightening of the 42-year-old embargo is intended to increase pressure on the Cuban government.

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!

June 27, 2004 3:25 PM

Hmong may join waiting list for English classes

The thousands of Hmong refugees who are expected to arrive in Minnesota will face a major obstacle: learning English. But many English language learning classes are already full in the Twin Cities and have waiting lists. Educators say they're concerned an already stressed system could cause problems for the refugees.

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!