Social Issues

December 10, 2013 5:48 AM

Obama urges world to act on Mandela's legacy

U.S. President Barack Obama exhorted the world Tuesday to embrace Nelson Mandela's universal message of peace and justice, electrifying tens of thousands of rain-lashed spectators and prompting a standing ovation by scores of heads of state in a South African stadium.

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December 9, 2013 3:00 PM

Could Mandela's approach work here?

Two guests contrast reconciliation of the races in South Africa with the experience of the United States.

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December 9, 2013 6:30 AM

American Indian child abuse task force hearings today

Former U.S. Sen. Byron Dorgan co-chairs the task force. He says after decades of inaction, it's time for the federal government to work with tribes to find solutions to violence and child abuse.

by Dan Gunderson

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December 7, 2013 8:41 PM

Scent of pepper spray in the air

Pepper spray has become so commonplace in contemporary and chaotic America, it's even being marketed as a holiday gift. "It makes a great stocking stuffer," says Carlos Crespo, according to the Military Times. Crespo owns Rose Guardian, a company that offers stylish self-protection products to women. Employed wisely, it can be an effective critter and creepster deterrent. Misused, it can mess somebody up.

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December 6, 2013 9:09 PM

Shelter operators, homeless search for places out of cold

Shelter directors, like Jan Eliassen in Fargo, say they usually coordinate to find places to sleep for people who need them. But that effort becomes more intense when the weather turns bitterly cold.

by Tom Crann and Nancy Lebens

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December 6, 2013 4:51 PM

Q & A: Winter cold dangerous for homeless in Fargo

Jan Eliassen, director of the city of Fargo's Gladys Rae Shelter and veteran drop-in center, spoke with MPR News' Tom Crann about what shelters are doing to help people who are homeless stay safe in the bitterly cold weather.

by Tom Crann

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December 4, 2013 5:16 PM

Cuts to public housing, pay assistance hurt state's poorest people

Public housing advocates are trying to restore federal aid and increase state housing aid. Cuts to those programs hurt some of the state's poorest people to rely on them for assistance, Minnesota housing officials say.

by Martin Moylan

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December 2, 2013 6:09 AM

Archdiocese in court over naming accused priests

Archbishop John Nienstedt says he will disclose the names, locations and status of all living archdiocesan priests who have substantiated claims of sexual abuse against them, regardless of where they currently reside. But he says he needs a court's permission.

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November 29, 2013 7:57 AM

Ellison: Pope's message on capitalism's evils will 'change the debate'

Ellison said he thinks the pope's decision to put the issue of poverty front and center could have significant implications in the effort to improve conditions for the poor.

by Mark Zdechlik