When Minnesota was a new state, thousands of settlers arrived, many of them from Europe. But in recent decades, the state has attracted large numbers of Hmong and Somali refugees. There are also thousands of people from India, Ethiopia, the Philippines, Mexico and the People’s Republic of China living in Minnesota.
The state has become more racially diverse in the last 10 years, and demographers said that's especially true among children. About 83 percent of Minnesotans were white, non-Hispanic for the 2010 census, compared to 88 percent in 2000.
February 4, 1997 - As some state lawmakers continue the task of drafting language for a state welfare reform bill....OTHERS are hearing from people bracing for the resulting effects. TODAY (THIS week) at the state capitol, parents of disabled children said they need to retain the help they now get from federal supplemental security income...or S-S-I. Minnesota Public Radio's Karen-Louise Boothe reports: The new federal welfare reform law changes the definition of disability...making it more difficult for certain children to qualify as disabled. The state estimates that up to 32-hundred low-income children in Minnesota with disabilities could lose S-S-I benefits come July first. More EXACT numbers will be known once the federal governm
March 24, 1997 - Several recent racially-motivated attacks against Somali immigrants in Rochester have shaken the city's image as one of the best places to live in America. Citizens have responded by signing pledges of non-violence and businesses have donated thousands of dollars to a fund to help police catch the attackers. Much of the racial tension in Rochester shows up in the community's young people. Minnesota Public Radio's Brent Wolfe prepared this report on why racism is surfacing among teenagers and what the schools are doing about it.
April 11, 1997 - The Minnesota House passed a major welfare reform bill LATE last night (early this morning.) The measure NOW goes to a conference committee where the differences between it and the bill passed by the Senate will be worked out. But as Minnesota Public Radio's Karen-Louise Boothe reports...House members didnt' wrap up their work until (time)...action that had been delayed by abortion politics over the last week: The first order of business on the bill, was an amendment offered by Minority leader Steve Sviggum that would have required greater reporting requirements by doctors who perform abortions. But House Speaker Phil Carruthers ruled that the amendment was not relevant and a majority of members agreed,thereby kicking abortion politics out of the welfare reform debate.
April 28, 1997 - Last month archaeologists unearthed several foundations which were once part of St. Paul's red light district. In particular, excitement and controversy surrounded the revelation that the bordello of Nina Clifford, an infamous St. Paul madame, was among the findings. The excavation provides the oportunity for legends of hidden diamonds and rumors of a secret tunnel leading to the upper-crust Minnesota Club to finally be proven or put to rest. Charles Maynes has followed the dig and found that the dustbins of St. Paul history offer more treasured trash than trashy treasure.
May 6, 1997 - For the last several decades the federal government has spent billions of dollars each year to increase the number of public housing units and rent subsidies for poor people. This year under Congress' efforts to restrain spending and balance the budget the federal government has stopped adding to its stock of subsidized housing. The government says a record number of Americans, five million households, now spend more than half their income on housing. And a growing number can't afford an apartment a place to live at all. Minnesota Public Radio's John Biewen reports.
May 12, 1997 - MPR’s John Biewen profiles local composer Randall Davidson and the work of connecting artist with communities. For Davidson, that includes projects involving Hmong community and life stories of St. Paul public housing residents.
May 13, 1997 - Minneapolis and Saint Paul school officials say the fastest growing segment of their enrollment is immigrant students, who are unable to speak English. Both districts are directing considerable resources toward English as a Second Language and bilingual education programs. But increased immigration has brought even more students speaking a myriad of native languages...and qualified teachers are hard to find. The state pays much of the cost to teach such students, but districts say it's still a big financial burden. Minnesota Public Radio's Tim Pugmire looks at the impact of immigrant students and one alternative project trying to help... 1624
May 30, 1997 - Midday examines the ways segregation is affecting life in the Twin Cities with guests George Latimer, former St. Paul mayor and former official with the Department of Housing and Urban Development; and Vivian Jenkins Nelson, president and CEO of Inter-Race. Topics include Listeners call in with questions.
June 11, 1997 - The Finns who came to northeastern Minnesota's iron range at the turn of the century struggled against poverty, prejudice and economic exploitation. They were leaders in the strikes and radical political movements of their time. A new Minnesota Public Radio documentary produced by Mary Losure and Dan Olson tells their story. Here's an excerpt of the documentary called "Finland Was a Poor Country".
June 27, 1997 - A big Somali fundraising event at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis Saturday evening is an effort to raise money for some of the neediest refugees who have moved to Minnesota. The event symbolizes the rapid growth of the Somali population in Minnesota. Minnesota Public Radio's Dan Olson reports.