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.
October 10, 2001 - Al-Amal School is a private school located across the street from Totino Grace opened in 1994. Al-Amal allows for religion practices within the school day.
October 12, 2001 - On Word of Mouth, MPR’s Chris Roberts provides a radio guide to the local arts. This episode includes "Hush, Hush", John O'Donohue, Bakken Ensemble, “The Rink,” Jazz and Italian modern art, Lea Thomas, and an arts round-up..
October 16, 2001 - Leaders in the Minnesota Muslim and Somali community are denouncing a recent Minneapolis Star Tribune article that says local Somalis contributed money to an organization that allegedly has links to terrorist leader Osama bin Laden. Representatives from the Muslim Council of Minnesota call the article "reckless" and "irresponsible." They say it has led to violent attacks against several Twin Cities Somalis. Minnesota Public Radio's Helms reports.
October 23, 2001 - The Local Chapter of the Society for Professional Journalists brought together some Twin Cities media executives last night Helms reports.
October 24, 2001 - Saint Paul is often called a city of neighborhoods. The candidates in this year's mayoral race represent parts of the city that illustrate the strength and range of its neighborhoods. Randy Kelly represents the East Side in the state Senate; City Council member Jay Benanav represents the fourth ward, an area that includes Merriam Park and other western neighborhoods. Minnesota Public Radio's William Wilcoxen has this look at the home districts of the mayoral candidates...
October 29, 2001 - Somalia's legislators have voted Prime Minister Ali Khalif Galaydh (AH-lee kah-LEEF gah-LIED) and his Cabinet out of power. That news came as he left Minnesota after a family visit. Galaydh is in the U.S. to ask for help in the international fight against terrorism. Minnesota Public Radio's Laurel Druley spoke with Galaydh prior to the no-confidence vote on Sunday. { Galaydh and his wife Mariam Mahamed left Somalia 18 years ago. They wanted to raise their children in the United States to give them a safe home.
November 7, 2001 -
November 9, 2001 - Last night in Minneapolis a croud of more than 200 gathered to support Minnesota's Somali community. It's been hit hard by the federal crackdown on financial organizations allegedly linked to terrorism. Minnesota Public Radio's Mary Losure reports.
November 13, 2001 - Leaders of the Somali and Muslim communities in the Twin Cities have voiced repeated concerns about harassment since the September 11th terrorist attacks. Other unsettling side effects from the attacks include confusion over how Americans can balance civil liberties and national security. A forum in Minneapolis last night Helms reports.
November 13, 2001 - MPR’s Tim Pugmire reports that a new round of mandated state testing is underway in Minnesota public school classrooms. Over the next month, teachers will use the new Test of Emerging Academic English to measure the progress of the students who are not yet fluent English speakers. The results could also have a financial impact on schools.