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 2, 2007 - Talks resume today toward heading off a possible strike by more than 4,000 Twin Cities union janitors. The janitors are demanding their employers provide a more affordable health care option. The service contractors say they are offering the janitors an affordable health care option and a wage increase. Minnesota Public Radio's Brandt Williams has more.
February 5, 2007 - Union janitors and their employers reached a tentative contract averting a possible strike. The 4200 janitors had threatened to walk out unless the new contract included affordable family health care coverage. Union officials say most of their members don't have health insurance because it's too expensive. They say the new contract will make it easier for janitors to obtain healthcare for their families. Minnesota Public Radio's Brandt Williams reports.
February 5, 2007 - In this installment from The Bookshelf series, MPR’s Cathy Wurzer talks with State Senator Mee Moua about books that are important to her. Moua came to the United States as a Hmong refugee when she was nine years old, and she said that even though she never read books when she was young, stories were a big part of her childhood, particularly when she lived in a refugee camp in Thailand.
February 12, 2007 - Hend Al-Mansour is questioning her religion. She's is a Minnesota-based Arab artist, a Muslim originally from Saudi Arabia. Her latest work is on display at Gustavus Adolphus College in Saint Peter. Minnesota Public Radio's Sea Stachura reports that Al-Mansour wants to use her voice as an American and an artist to encourage debate within the Muslim community.
February 21, 2007 - The United Nations unanimously approved an act which allows African Union troops to enter Somalia. The troops, who will be replacing Ethiopian soldiers that originally set up the interim government, will work to maintain the government and stabalize Somalia as a whole.
February 27, 2007 - Metropolitan Airports Commission officials are meeting today to discuss how to address Muslim taxi drivers who refuse to drive passengers with alcohol or pets because of their religions. MPR's Marisa Helms reports.
February 28, 2007 - MPR’s Ambar Espinoza looks into the business of fake document and IDs in Minnnesota.
March 1, 2007 - Supporters of in-state tuition for children of illegal immigrants packed a two-hour hearing of higher education committees from both legislative houses. Immigrant students and others spoke in favor of the Minnesota Dream Act. It's the third time the idea has come to the legislature. Proponents hope this year it has a better chance of making it into law. Minnesota Public Radio's Art Hughes reports.
March 14, 2007 - A new report on homelessness in Minnesota out today has found that nearly half of all people staying in homeless shelters are under age 21. Some of these kids are with their families. But this new survey by the Wilder Foundation shows that more than 20,000 kids in Minnesota will spend at least one night on the streets, and on their own. Minnesota Public Radio's Larissa Anderson introduces us to some of them. One of the kids asked not to be identified because he fears reprisal for talking about his personal situation.
March 28, 2007 - House DFLers have unveiled a Higher Education budget that's designed to limit tuition increases to no more than two percent over the next two years