Overflowing homeless shelters forced to turn away families Dozens of families have been turned away as the growing numbers of homeless means emergency family shelters in the Twin Cities are full to overflowing most nights, and the lack of space has caused one family to take desperate action.October 13, 2010
Child poverty grows in Minnesota The Census Bureau is out with new data that reveals more detail about the economic pain American families experienced in 2009. It was a tough year for children, as the rates of child poverty went up.September 28, 2010
New campaign aims to end hunger in Minnesota Hunger is often perceived as one of life's intractable problems, affecting someone else's family. A new campaign launching Monday in Minnesota aims to show how hunger can spiral into larger problems that burden all of society.September 27, 2010
Patients, hospitals having problems with revised GAMC program Three months after the state implemented a scaled-back health care coverage program for its poorest residents, many patients are waiting months for basic medical services and hospitals have lost millions of dollars in uncompensated care.September 15, 2010
Record increase in US poverty with elections looming The number of people in the U.S. who are in
poverty is on track for a record increase on President Barack
Obama's watch, with the ranks of working-age poor approaching 1960s
levels that led to the national war on poverty.September 12, 2010
For children born into poverty, brain development may be hindered Toxic stress, when a baby is born into a chaotic environment and experiences developmental brain problems, may be on the rise. Poverty levels may directly affect a child's brain development, researchers say.August 4, 2010
Foundation: Child poverty on the rise in Minn. Child poverty in Minnesota has increased 23 percent in the past decade, according to new figures from the Annie E. Casey Foundation, and advocates say the depth of poverty is increasing as well.July 28, 2010
Financial reform could reshape banking in low-income areas In addition to giant Wall Street firms, the new federal financial reform law will also regulate financial institutions in low-income communities. Payday lenders and predatory mortgage lenders will fall under the oversight of the new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.July 19, 2010
Advocates say poverty is expanding in Minnesota Two long-time Minnesota anti-poverty advocates say poverty in Minnesota is expanding and the biggest expansion is among the state's minority and immigrant populations. They also take issue with numbers showing poverty in Minnesota is low.June 24, 2010
"Winter's Bone" examines rural poverty Film director Debra Granik knew she'd have a challenge portraying the complexities of life in isolated communities in the Ozarks. Her film "Winter's Bone" is getting praise from both critics and the people whose story she tells.June 2, 2010
State support for elderly faces uncertain future With the second-highest rate of elderly poverty in central Minnesota, Todd County relies heavily on state support to care for its seniors. But Medical Assistance has been the subject of budget cuts recently, and those cuts may be just the beginning.May 5, 2010