Social Issues

160 years of sanctuary at Pilgrim Baptist Church
St. Paul’s Pilgrim Baptist Church first formed in 1863 when a group of formerly enslaved people, led by a man named Robert Thomas Hickman, began worshiping together. The historic church is celebrating 160 years this weekend.
Native American leaders respond to DOJ report on Minneapolis police
The U.S. Justice Department’s report listing civil rights violations by the Minneapolis police department confirmed what many in the city’s Native American community say they have experienced. The impending consent decree, which could put some legal teeth into policing reform, may help repair relations with Twin Cities BIPOC communities.
Trailblazing golfer working to get more Black women and girls in the game
On the South side of Minneapolis more than a half century ago, Lynnette Landry fell in love with the game of golf, and she is still working to make the sport more accessible to everyone, including Black girls and women.
In Minneapolis, three-fourths of kids with elevated levels of lead are children of color
The city’s Healthy Homes team does extensive outreach and conducts detailed inspections of homes deemed at risk of lead exposure. Inspectors say immigrant communities may encounter lead in items like coal used as makeup; imported spices and medicines, candy and toys that come directly from other countries.
26 years after start, St. Cloud's Juneteenth has grown into community celebration
Organizers say the new Minnesota law recognizing Juneteenth as an official state holiday has helped bring more awareness to the event, which marks the end of slavery in the United States.
8 takeaways from the Justice Department probe of Minneapolis police
MPD’s culture and practices created the “systemic problems” that made possible the police killing of George Floyd in 2020, a newly released U.S. Justice Department report concludes. Here’s a breakdown of some of the investigation’s findings and key incidents by category.
Early Risers: Parent perspectives on racial equity in early childhood
How do we talk to young children about race and racism? Dianne Haulcy, host of the Early Risers podcast, shares parents’ stories on raising children to love their culture and respect others.