Social Issues

United Methodists edge toward breakup over LGBT policies
There's at least one area of agreement among conservative, centrist and liberal leaders in the United Methodist Church: America's largest mainline Protestant denomination is on a path toward likely breakup over differences on same-sex marriage and ordination of LGBT pastors.
After Columbine, a friendship bound by the trauma of mass shootings
Over the past 20 years, mass shootings have resulted in communities of survivors. Heather Martin, who was a senior at Columbine High School in 1999, runs a nonprofit that connects them.
Anti-tobacco advocates question McConnell plan to raise minimum purchasing age
Citing an "unprecedented spike" in teens vaping, Sen. Mitch McConnell said the bill would raise the minimum age for people to buy tobacco products from 18 to 21. Tobacco companies back the proposal.
Noor trial: A dramatic week in the courtroom
It was an important week in the trial of Mohamed Noor, the former Minneapolis police officer who faces murder and manslaughter charges in the shooting death of Justine Ruszczyk. Noor's partner took the stand, as did Minneapolis Police Chief Medaria Arradondo.
Homelessness in high school bodes ill for college, study finds
The study tracked thousands of students who experienced housing instability while in grades 9-12, and found they were less likely to graduate, got lower scores on college placement tests and were less likely to take advance placement or college-credit classes.
What the Mueller report tells us about Minnesota's election security
The report includes evidence that former Trump campaign chair Paul Manafort met with a man believed to be connected to Russian intelligence and shared internal polling data, which listed Minnesota as a battleground state.