AltWeeklies Wire
How Young Is Too Young For a Sex Change?new

Most children grow out of gender identity disorder by their teens. Because the diagnosis usually goes away, psychologists rarely recommend that a child with gender identity disorder live as the other sex. But in some cases, when young children are extremely depressed, even suicidal, an early switch may be the best option.
City Pages (Twin Cities) |
Erin Carlyle |
03-04-2009 |
LGBT
Tags: transgender youth
Minneapolis' Bike-Sharing Program Just Needs Federal Fundsnew
The bike-share program is currently fighting for $1.75 million of transportation-program funding. If they don't get it, the program is DOA.
City Pages (Twin Cities) |
Bradley Campbell |
02-18-2009 |
Transportation
University of Minnesota Expert Says Peanut Butter Recall Has Gone Nuttynew

The director of the University of Minnesota's Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy says that the peanut butter recall has gone too far and affected many Americans who weren't at risk in the first place.
City Pages (Twin Cities) |
Emily Kaiser |
02-11-2009 |
Science
New Law Could Make Fathers' Rights Come Smoothernew
In Minnesota family courts, judges decide what's best for the kids on a case-by-case basis. But fathers' groups are pushing to change the law so that judges must favor shared parenting time, known as joint physical custody.
City Pages (Twin Cities) |
Erin Carlyle |
02-04-2009 |
Civil Liberties
Tags: Minnesota, divorce law
Is the Reign of Feral Cats Over in the Twin Cities?new
Two years ago, St. Paul Animal Control and Animal Ark formed a unique partnership to implement the controversial Trap, Neuter, and Return program advocated by the Humane Society.
City Pages (Twin Cities) |
Beth Walton |
12-17-2008 |
Animal Issues
Midwest Oil Mining is a Crude Idea to Manynew
A web of pipelines has sprouted up throughout the Midwest, following the Great Lakes, moving all the way from the Dakotas to Chicago and Detroit. But it comes at a heavy cost, a price so large that one environmentalist remarked that in comparison to the nightmarish ramifications of the oil sands, offshore drilling is an "environmental yawn."
City Pages (Twin Cities) |
Beth Walton |
12-03-2008 |
Environment
More Than 9,000 Minnesotans are Homeless. I Decided to Join Them for a Weeknew
I don't claim to have experienced homelessness at its most hopeless, its most real, nor do I intend to trivialize the travails that go along with it. Nevertheless, it's hoped that this diary will provide a window into day-to-day affairs, maybe even practical advice for those who may soon find themselves battling the real thing.
City Pages (Twin Cities) |
Matt Snyders |
12-01-2008 |
Housing & Development
Minnesota Independent: Thanks for Helping Elect Obama, You're Firednew

Jane Kirtley, a journalism professor at the University of Minnesota, says the post-election layoffs could be akin to Macy's laying off temporary workers after Christmas. However, she says, the memo lends credibility to a more sinister interpretation.
City Pages (Twin Cities) |
Erin Carlyle |
11-19-2008 |
Media
The Minneapolis Somali Community is Facing a Dark Web of Murdersnew
They came to escape civil war, so why are they killing each other in the streets?
City Pages (Twin Cities) |
Erin Carlyle |
11-13-2008 |
Crime & Justice
Eight RNC Protesters Accused of 'Furthering Terrorism' Thanks to Statutenew

The RNC 8 face more than the standard felony charges. For the first time, authorities are wielding an obscure state anti-terrorism statute passed in the nervous aftermath of the 9/11 attacks.
City Pages (Twin Cities) |
Matt Snyders |
11-13-2008 |
Civil Liberties
The Top 10 Most Dangerous Bike Intersections in Minneapolisnew
Despite some high-profile incidents, it is actually safer to ride on the street than at any other time in recent memory, according to city statistics. To nervous cyclists, it sure doesn't feel that way, which is why we decided to assemble a list of the city's 10 most dangerous intersections for bike riders.
City Pages (Twin Cities) |
Bradley Campbell |
10-16-2008 |
Transportation
Minneapolis Mayor to Arrested Journalists: Drop Deadnew
For a city leadership that spent so much time trying to convince everyone that the convention was in Minneapolis, too, Mayor R.T. Rybak's office suddenly wants very little to do with hosting the RNC, especially those nasty reports of police brutality and journalist arrests.
City Pages (Twin Cities) |
Beth Walton |
09-17-2008 |
Media
Police Raid Homes in Advance of RNCnew
The Ramsey County Sheriff's Department and St. Paul police -- working under the direction of federal agencies, including the FBI -- began raiding homes of protesters throughout the metro. Before the weekend was through, authorities would arrest six people and detain dozens more in a preemptive strike against would-be RNC rabble-rousers.
City Pages (Twin Cities) |
Matt Snyders |
09-04-2008 |
Civil Liberties
Advocates Say Minnesota's Largest Animal Shelter Could Reduce Euthanasia Ratesnew

The Animal Humane Society killed more than 14,000 animals last year. How many were unnecessary?
City Pages (Twin Cities) |
Beth Walton |
08-20-2008 |
Animal Issues
Why Does Minnesota Have the Nation's Highest Autism Rate?new
There are no good answers for why autism rates are rising in Minnesota. One camp believes it is due primarily to over-vaccination of infants and previous exposure to Thimerosal, a type of antiseptic containing mercury that was removed from regular childhood vaccines in 2001. Another camp points to increased awareness about the disease.
City Pages (Twin Cities) |
Bradley Campbell |
08-20-2008 |
Science