January 8, 2007 - The families and supporters of meatpacking workers arrested in December in an immigration raid held a rally in Worthington, the location of the plant. Family members spoke on how their lives have been changed since the raid.
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 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 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.
November 8, 2006 - MPR's Mark Steil reports on how Democrat Tim Walz spent his first day as 1st District congressman-elect with family and supporters in Mankato. Walz beat six-term Republican Gil Gutknecht in 2008’ election. Walz says he's in debt to a number of supporters, many of whom are enthusiastic high school and college students.
September 5, 2006 - There are all sorts of ways illegal immigrants can become legal and stay in this country. Most are a long, slow journey with no promise of success. In southern Minnesota a 16 year old girl is hoping to beat the odds. She's trying to qualify for a special visa designed to help crime victims. She's found the process tough going. Minnesota Public Radio's Mark Steil reports.
May 17, 2006 - The movement of immigrants to Minnesota has transformed communities and changed long established social orders. Take the city of Worthington. Drawn mainly by meatpacking jobs, immigrants have been moving to the southwest Minnesota city for more than twenty years. Most came as strangers, and many remain strangers, even after years of living there. Minnesota Public Radio's Mark Steil spoke with two women who've experienced the divisions in town.
May 1, 2006 - The push for a change in immigration law reaches a new level today as Latinos and other minority groups are being asked to stay home from work to demonstrate their economic clout. Organizers call the protest 'a day without immigrants'. The main focus of the event in Minnesota will be an afternoon rally at Powderhorn Park in Minneapolis. No one knows how many people will actually boycott work, but the impact of the event has already been felt. The nation's meatpackers will close some two dozen plants around the U.S. today in part because they're concerned they won't have enough workers. Minnesota Public Radio's Mark Steil reports.
January 30, 2006 - Nearly 300 people turned out in Worthington Sunday to talk about immigration. The subject has been a major topic of discussion in the southwest Minnesota city since Governor Tim Pawlenty proposed new measures earlier this month to deal with undocumented workers. Worthington has a large immigrant population. Some are fearful they're being targeted. Minnesota Public Radio's Mark Steil reports.
November 17, 2005 - MPR’s Mark Steil looks back at the origin story of the Floyd of Rosedale trophy, which goes each November to the winner of the Minnesota-Iowa game. On one level, the bronze pig is just another collegiate prize. But few people know it had its origins in a 1934 game with racial overtones.