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.
November 23, 2006 - Two twin cities churches have joined forces to provide free clothing to those in need. God's Closet is an East St. Paul charity that gives away bags of clothing to its neighbors. Minnesota Public Radio's Marianne Combs reports the church charity is transforming the lives of both the clients and the volunteers.
November 23, 2006 - MPR’s Steven John talks with Edwin and Irina Haller of Duluth. Several Russian immigrants gathered this evening for a traditional American Thanksgiving dinner at their home, including Alexander Chohnuhshoff.
December 4, 2006 - The Latino population in Minnesota is growing rapidly, and the money immigrants send to Latin America from Minnesota is growing even faster. A recent report estimates a doubling in the amount of money transfers over the last two years. Minnesota Public Radio's Ambar Espinoza reports.
December 12, 2006 - Federal agents raided a southwest Minnesota meatpacking plant today searching for illegal immigrants involved in an identity theft ring. The action at the Swift and Company plant in Worthington was part of a nationwide investigation. Federal officials also searched five other Swift plants in Colorado, Iowa, Nebraska, Texas and Utah. There's no word yet on how many people were arrested. Minnesota Public Radio's Mark Steil reports.
December 13, 2006 - Residents of Worthington spent today reacting to Tuesday's immigration raid at the Swift packing plant in the community. Officials from the Department of Homeland Security say 230 Worthington workers believed to be illegal immigrants were arrested. Lawyers for detained workers charge that some U.S. citizens were detained in the roundup. The day after the dragnet found many Swift workers scared and confused about their future, and that of their friends and relatives. Minnesota Public Radio's Mark Steil reports.
December 13, 2006 - The mayor of Worthington talks with MPR about how the federal raid at a major employer in town, the Swift Co. meat-packing plant, could affect the city economically.
December 14, 2006 - Even after a federal raid at meat packing plant led to the arrest of workers suspected of stealing identities, fake document vendors are still operating in at least one location in Minneapolis.
December 15, 2006 - This week's immigration raid on meatpacking giant Swift and Company may have changed some basic relationships between the industry and the government. Swift knew the raid was coming and tried to head it off. The company's efforts failed and nearly 1300 suspected illegal immigrants were hauled off from six Swift plants around the U.S. Minnesota Public Radio's Mark Steil reports.
December 20, 2006 - Martin Sabo, the 28-year congressman from Minnesota's fifth district, which is much of Hennepin county, is leaving after 28 years in office. He has built a reputation among as a strong Democrat, and many are sorry to see him go.
December 21, 2006 - A new exhibit at the University of Minnesota challenges the stereotype of Lutherans as staid, white Scandinavians. The recent arrival of immigrants from Latin America, Africa and Asia has created many ethnically diverse Lutheran congregations in the Twin Cities. As the exhibit demonstrates, you can hear as well as see the changes. Minnesota Public Radio's Karl Gehrke has more. The exhibit "A Mighty Fortress Far from Lake Wobegon" is at the U of M's Elmer L. Andersen Library through December 29th.