Social Issues

Once a remote desert outpost, the city of Las Vegas is now 100 years old and it's the fastest growing metropolitan area in the United States. It also ranks near the top of American cities in rates of alcoholism, drug addiction, personal bankruptcy, teen pregnancy and suicide. "Las Vegas: An Unconventional History," tells the story of Sin City.
The Minnesota movie "North Country" garnered two Golden Globe nominations Tuesday: for best actress (Charlize Theron) and best supporting actress (Frances McDormand.) The American RadioWorks documentary "No Place for a Woman" tells the true story that inspired "North Country." It is the story of the women in Minnesota's iron mines who made history with America's first class action sexual harassment lawsuit.
Child care in Minnesota is not what it should be according to national and local studies. Finding adequate child care is growing especially difficult for low-income families.
Drug dealing amongst Somali teens in Rochester has increased steadily over the past five years according to police and community leaders. Some community members are offering a surprising solution. The mothers of these teenagers want to send the dealers back to Somalia.
The holidays are a time when thoughts turn to children and families. But for some of the elderly who live alone, these memories are bittersweet because they evoke thoughts of family members long gone. One volunteer group is trying to alleviate some of that loneliness through a program called "Gifts for Seniors."
In the past decade, the number of foreign children adopted by Americans has nearly tripled to more than 20,000 a year. But international adoption first started exploding half a century ago. American RadioWorks looks at the history of international adoption and profiles two people brought to the U.S. as children.
Mel Hartman, founder of TLC Toys, makes thousands of toys to donate to needy Minnesota children. Some people call him the Santa of Andover.
Bill Novelli leads an association that is cited as one of the most powerful forces in politics, the AARP. Novelli talks about Medicare, Social Security and the obligations of seniors to younger generations.
Minnesota is one of a growing number of states that limit the sale of some cold medication as a way to fight the spread of methamphetamine. Since the law went on the books, meth lab numbers in Minnesota are down but are the two things connected?
Inappropriate behavior in youth sports has long been a problem, and recent research describes just how bad it's getting.