Social Issues

Changing rural narratives: A Ground Level conversation in Grand Rapids
The great outdoors, as we heard at a community conversation at the Blandin Foundation, is a key reason why people choose to live in Grand Rapids. The discussion revolved around why people choose Grand Rapids, what they worry about and celebrate in daily life, and what issues they believe leaders should focus on.
Hundreds of children wait in Border Patrol facility in Texas
Inside an old warehouse in South Texas, hundreds of immigrant children wait in a series of cages created by metal fencing. One cage had 20 children inside. Scattered about are bottles of water, bags of chips and large foil sheets intended to serve as blankets.
Family separation policy starts dividing Republicans
Former first lady Laura Bush called the policy "cruel" and "immoral" while GOP Sen. Susan Collins expressed concern about it and a former adviser to President Trump said he thought the issue was going to hurt the president at some point. Religious groups, including some conservative ones, are protesting.
Minn. regulators will soon decide on the Line 3 oil pipeline's fate. Here's how to follow along
State regulators are holding hearings this week as they make final decisions on whether to let Enbridge Energy build its controversial oil pipeline replacement.
Hundreds gather in Minneapolis to protest federal immigration policy
Hundreds of people gathered in Minneapolis for a pair of rallies on Sunday to protest the treatment of immigrants at the U.S. border - in particular the federal policy that is leading to children being separated from their parents.
Oil pipeline's fans, foes gear up for testimony over the fate of Enbridge's Line 3
With billboards, TV ads and mass mailings, the groups facing off over the Line 3 oil pipeline project in Minnesota are setting up for what could be a long, emotional fight, beginning with a key decision later this month at the Public Utilities Commission.