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.
August 1, 2001 - MPR’s Kaomi Goetz reports that some members of Minneapolis immigrant communities are asking whether they're getting undue scrutiny from city inspectors.
August 1, 2001 - U.S. Census figures released indicate the state's Hmong population grew almost 150% since the 1990 census, growing to nearly 42,000 residents. Some community leaders, though, think many Hmong people in Minnesota remain uncounted by the census. MPR’s Art Hughes interviews numerous individuals to get their reaction to government numbers.
August 15, 2001 - Morning Edition’s Cathy Wurzer speaks with Michael Yang, director of the Immigrant and Refugee Policy Coalition of Minnesota, about ceremony at Bethel College's Benson Hall where 730 Hmong Veterans and widows from Laos will become U.S. Citizens.
August 20, 2001 - As Minnesota's population has become more diverse, communities, especially small rural towns have faced a series of challenges. Perhaps the most basic is communication. Many new immigrants are unable to speak English. Often it's the children in a family who learn English first. Although local schools are making progress, they fear lessons learned during the school year might be forgotten during summer vacation. Mainstreet Radio's Bob Reha reports an international organization with roots in Minnesota has come home, to offer some help.
August 20, 2001 - The local Jewish Community Relations Council is also advising people who oppose the Ku Klux Klan to stay away from the group's Saturday rally at the state capitol. Council president Steve Silverfarb estimates there are about six active hate groups in Minnesota and says he wouldn't be suprised if some of them joined in the rally:
August 21, 2001 - The Ku Klux Klan plans to rally this weekend at the state capitol, and an anti-Klan group says it will be there for a counter demonstration. The group called Can The Klan held a forum last night to discuss their plans, the history of the KKK, and ways to end racism. Kim Defranco (dee FRANK oh) is a member of Can The Klan. That's Kim Defranco (dee FRANK oh), a member of Can The Klan. That group has a permit to demonstrate at the State Capitol from noon to six on Saturday.
August 23, 2001 - Recently more than 300-people turned out at a public meeting in Fargo to express opinions on the appropriateness of a religious monolith built on city property. Since the late 1950's a plaza outside the Fargo city hall has housed a granite marker engraved with the Ten Commandments. The "Red River Freethinkers," a group that advocates the separation of church and state have called for the relocation of the stone. The group represents a distinct minority, but is gathering a lot of attention. Mainstreet Radio's Bob Reha has a look at the people who call themselves the "Freethinkers."
August 29, 2001 - A group of Minnesotans is in Durban, South Africa, just days before the U.N Conference on Racism begins later this week. They are there despite the Bush Administration's decision... at this point... NOT to send representatives to the conference because they say that language in the conference's agenda is anti-Israel. Joining us on the line from South Afric
October 5, 2001 - The Minnesota Gopher men's hockey team is in Grand Forks this evening to play arch rival the University of North Dakota. The game may be overshadowed a bit by the venue. Tonight marks the opening of the ornate and controversial Ralph Engelstad Arena, which some see as a hockey palace. Others see it as a shrine to racism. Mainstreet Radio's Dan Gunderson reports.
October 9, 2001 - Note to editor: top with whatever latest on military action Those who grew up in Afghanistan and now live in Minnesota have a unique perspective given the current state of affairs. Minnesota Public Radio's Elizabeth Stawicki recently talked with some Afghanis living in the Twin Cities about the military conflict and how the United States can fight terrorism.