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.
April 29, 2002 - In this first report of series titled "An Education in Diversity," Mainstreet Radio's Jeff Horwich takes a look at the climate on and off-campus for blacks.
May 2, 2002 - The three leading DFL candidates for governor made their final public appearance together last night . The candidates were mostly polite to one another at the gubernatorial debate held at Macalester College in St. Paul. The debate, sponsored by Minnesota Public Radio, was one of the last chances for DFL convention delegates and the public to learn more about Senate Majority Leader Roger Moe, State Senator Becky Lourey and State Auditor Judy Dutcher.
May 3, 2002 - A two-day conference in Minneapolis is examining how cities and small towns across the midwest are dealing with racial diversity. The Building Inclusive Communities conference is an opportunity for civic leaders, law enforcement and human rights activists to discuss ways to make the midwest more welcoming to new immigrants. Conference goers are hearing first-hand immigrant stories, watching films and sharing individual experiences. Therese Gales directs the Education, Refugee & Immigrant Program at Minnesota Advocates for Human Rights. She says immigrants share stories about facing numerous challenges when trying to integrate into a new community.
May 7, 2002 - Native American tribes of Minnesota say University of Minnesota research threatens the future of a crop the Native Americans consider sacred. The tribes say maintaining pure wild rice stock is a treaty right. The University says it is simply trying to help northern Minnesota farmers make a living. Mainstreet Radios Dan Gunderson reports.
May 14, 2002 - The Census Bureau released demographic profiles today for five states. The data comes from the census long form questions. Those questionnaires were delivered to about one in six or 19 million households nationwide. The census information released for North and South Dakota profiles education, immigration and poverty statistics. Minnesota Public Radio's Cara Hetland reports:
June 4, 2002 - MPR presents a series of reports "Reading, Writing and Revenue," which looks at Minneosta schools' funding crunch. MPR’s Tim Pugmire looks at the challenges in the Minneapolis school district.
June 4, 2002 - Census 2000 data shows Minnesota is becoming more diverse due largely to immigrants from other countries. In the 90s, the state's foreign born population increased by more than 100 percent. Most of the state's foreign-born residents live in the two most populous counties - Hennepin and Ramsey. But the largest increases in foreign born populations occurred in smaller suburban and rural counties. Minnesota Public Radio's Brandt Williams reports:
June 10, 2002 -
June 17, 2002 - MPR’s Jeff Horwich reports on soccer culture in St. Cloud, where sport and community are inseparable for ethnic teams. Immigrants who've come to Minnesota have brought their favorite game along with them.
June 28, 2002 -