August 14, 2003 - The two largest state employees unions are recommending that their members reject a new contract proposal that state officials say is their best offer. Talks broke off early this morning when the state and union negotiators failed to find agreement on how to structure health benefits. Union leaders say the plan will drive up out-of-pocket health care expenses. State officials say the increases will be modest given rising costs and the state's budget pinch. Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo has more.
August 14, 2003 - For the last three days Missouri River levels have decreased by as much as a foot and a half. In July a federal judge ordered the change in level for the river in Iowa, Nebraska and Missouri. The Army Corps of Engineers complied with the order just this week. Environmentalists call it a victory for endangered species. Mainstreet Radio's Cara Hetland reports:
August 14, 2003 - MPR’s Jayne Solinger interviews R.T. Rybak, Mayor of Minneapolis. Rybak delivered a 1.2 billion-dollar 2004 budget this afternoon. The mayor proposes to avoid further layoffs by drawing down the city s rainy day fund. He plans to rehire thirty-four firefighters laid off this year and add a class police recruits, which had been cut from the last budget. The budget isn't painless by any means. Most Minneapolis homeowners will see their property tax bills rise 18%. Rybak calls the budget the "Light at the end of the tunnel."
August 14, 2003 - Four members of the Bush Administration were in St. Paul today to urge Congress to pass a Medicare prescription drug package. Administration officials, including the U.S. Surgeon General and the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, are touring the nation to put pressure on the House and Senate to reconcile their differences. Critics say both bills are flawed and will do little to address the rising cost of prescription drugs. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports....
August 15, 2003 - The Minneapolis Public Library has settled a "hostile workplace" lawsuit filed by a dozen employees who complained they were exposed to internet pornography being viewed by some library patrons. Library administrators have agreed to change some policies and their insurance carrier is paying more than $400,000 to the workers and their attorney. Minnesota Public Radio's Mark Zdechlik reports...
August 15, 2003 - MPR’s Art Hughes reports on the Minneapolis city budget, which continues to drop by millions of dollars. Mayor R.T. Rybak says he sees some reason for optimism. Rybak delivered his 1.24 billion-dollar budget proposal for 2004, saying there will be no more layoffs. In fact, he says the city will hire more police and firefighters. But the strain of debt and the second round of cuts from the state mean property taxes for Minneapolis homeowners will continue to rise. Report includes commentary form various city officials.
August 18, 2003 - About 50 Minneapolis cab drivers held a rally today (MONDAY) to memorialize two slain collegues and to call attention to what they say are unaddressed safety issues. Minnesota Public Radio's Art Hughes reports.
August 18, 2003 - Over the weekend, hundreds of central Minnesotans honored Staff Sgt. Brian Hellermann at memorial in St. Rosa. Hellermann was killed in an ambush earlier this month in Iraq. He grew up in central Minnesota but left the area 17 years ago to begin a career in the Army. While many didn't know Hellerman personally, this tight knit community is showing their support for the soldier's family. Mainstreet Radio's Tim Post reports.
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August 19, 2003 - Health care professionals joined Governor Pawlenty today to inaugurate a new law created to track medical mistakes. The goal of the program is to reduce medical errors in Minnesota and, eventually, help Minnesotans determine which hospitals are doing the best job in preventing mistakes. The Legislature didn't fund the system. But officials hope to find start-up money in the next month and have the program fully operational within two years. The Minnesota law is the first in the nation to embrace standards proposed by the National Quality Forum. Dr. Ken Kizer is the non-profit organization's president and C-E-O. He joined the governor today to praise Minnesota's plan. Kizer says as many as 98,000 people die each year from hospital medical errors, and that Minnesota's new law is an important step in making hospitals safer.