June 29, 2012 - As communities across Minnesota debate a constitutional amendment changing the state constitution to define marriage as only between a man and a woman, MPR’s Sasha Aslanian visits Hibbing to see how residents on the Iron Range are approaching the November ballot item.
August 24, 2012 - MPR’s Cathy Wurzer sits down with Minneapolis rapper Brother Ali to discuss his album “Mourning in America and Dreaming in Color” and his rejuvenating pilgrimage to Mecca.
March 10, 2013 - On this episode of On Being, Krista Tippet interviews Minnesota writer Kevin Kling, who shares hear his own special angle on life's humor and its ruptures. Born with a partially disabled left arm, in his 40s, Kling then lost the use of his fully functional right one after a motorcycle accident nearly killed him. Being able-bodied, he says, is always only a temporary condition. Take in his wisdom on the losses we're born with, and the losses we grow into - and why we turn these things into stories.
May 6, 2013 - Funerals are considered the most elaborate and important of all Hmong ceremonies. MPR’s Nikki Tundel looks at how St. Paul’s Hmong Cultural Center wants to integrate the ancient heritage into modern Hmong society.
July 22, 2013 - MPR’s Sasha Aslanian looks at discussions happening in different religious communities in the state after same-sex marriage became law. Religious institutions played a big role in the long, emotional and sometimes contentious debate Minnesotans had leading up to the Legislature's vote to legalize same-sex marriage. While churches are not required to perform same-sex weddings, Minnesota law against discrimination based on sexual orientation does apply to others who might play a role in wedding celebrations.
September 12, 2013 - MPR’s Tim Post reports on a longtime teacher at a Catholic school in Fridley who says she was fired after she told other teachers she's in a same-sex relationship. It's the second high profile departure from Totino-Grace High School in recent months. The school's president resigned this summer after announcing he was in a same-sex relationship.
September 23, 2013 - Curtis Wehmeyer, a St. Paul priest, is serving a five year prison sentence for sexually abusing two children and possessing child pornography. When he was sentenced, the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis expressed regret, but assured the public that it had acted immediately. An MPR News investigation has found that top leaders knew of the priest's sexual behavior for nearly a decade before he pleaded guilty and didn't tell parishioners.
January 23, 2014 - MPR’s Tom Scheck reports on internal financial reports that show the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis for years diverted millions of dollars away from its traditional work to deal with clergy misconduct.
July 14, 2014 - MPR Special Report presents an MPR News Investigation “Betrayed by Silence: A radio documentary,” which looks at clergy abuse, cover-up, and crisis in the Twin Cities Catholic Church as three archbishops hid the truth.
February 11, 2015 - MPR’s Elizabeth Baier reports on Bethel Lutheran Church in Rochester, which offers prayers to go in the church parking lot. The church, and others like it, are looking at ways that allow ministers to reach people where it is convenient for them.