April 16, 2002 - The Minnesota Health Department is reporting that in the year 2001 new HIV infections were up 40 percent among white men in Minnesota. In addition, 16 percent of the newly reported HIV infections were found in African-born immigrants. Those immigrants represent only one percent of the state's population. Dr. Gary Remafedi is the Director of the Youth and AIDS Project at the University of Minnesota. He says while the numbers are a concern, it's too early to say whether they represent a trend.
April 19, 2002 - Federal health officials say African American infants in St. Paul die at a higher rate than most other cities in the country. The city's black infant mortality rate ranks fourth among the 60 largest U-S cities, according to an analysis published by the Centers for Disease Control. Minneapolis ranks 38th. The Minnesota Department of Health is concerned about the number of non-white infant deaths occuring across the state. Cheryl Fogarty, the department's infant mortality consultant, says she noticed an increase in black infant mortality starting in the late 90s.
April 22, 2002 - Why is electronic communication with doctors the exception and not the rule? The majority of internet users want to be able to communicate with their doctor via e-mail.
April 22, 2002 - Minnesota Attorney General Mike Hatch wants to strip the anti-tobacco group, Minnesota Partnership for Action Against Tobacco- or MPAAT- of its 202 (m) million dollar endowment. He is asking a Ramsey County District court judge to decide MPAAT has failed to administer its endowment properly and has undermined public confidence. Hatch wants the endowment money divided instead between the University of Minnesota and the state Department of Health. Minnesota's commissioner of health is caught in the middle of the issue. Jan Malcolm sits on MPAAT's board, but Malcolm would direct half the endowment for the Health Department if the judge agrees with Hatch. She says MPAAT had been responding to a number of Hatch's concerns:
April 22, 2002 - Maplewood-based 3M today reported its first quarter earnings dropped slightly, but they still surpassed Wall Street's estimates. Analysts say deep cost-cutting and a new management program implemented by CEO James McNerney have made the company a leaner, more efficient company. A little more than a year ago, McNerney became the first outsider ever to run the company. Now he's leading a transformation that's prompting cheers from investors but jitters from employees. Minnesota Public Radio's Andrew Haeg reports.
April 22, 2002 - Humans possess a certain essence within them when they are born. At birth, it is pure and undefiled. The competition on Saturnday night is at the Lanesboro community Center. John Davis thought of the Kids Philosophy slam as a fun, competitive way for kids to think about the world. He also started the Great American Think-Off too. INTRO: The nature of humankind is good. That's the conclusion of the winner of the 2002 Kids Philosophy Slam held in Lanesboro, Minnesota. Vineetha Joseph of Nutley, New Jersey: won with her thoughts on this year's question which was: "Is the nature of humankind good or evil?" More than 2000 kids from around the world participated.
April 23, 2002 - A disagreement between the Minnesota Attorney General's office and a non-profit anti-tobacco organization escalated today (TUESDAY). The two sides are fighting over how the non-profit distributes hundreds of millions of dollars for smoking cessati on and medical research. The Attorney General filed a lawsuit in Ramsey District Court last week saying the Minnesota Partnership for Action Against Tobacco is misusing its funds. Hatch wants someone else to oversee the money. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports...
April 24, 2002 - Minnesota Supreme Court Chief Justice Kathleen Blatz says a statewide child protection reform project has been successful in its first year. The Children's Justice Initiative is designed to get abused and neglected kids into permanent homes faster. 12 Minnesota counties took part in the program this year... by 2006, all 87 counties in the state will be included. Justice Blatz says the state's child protection system needs a lot of work:
April 25, 2002 - Today is the tenth and final "Take Your Daughters to Work Day." Starting next year, organizers are planning to encourage parents to bring both girls AND boys to the workplace and to think in new ways about gender inequities at work. The Ms. Foundation for Women started the ORIGINAL program in 1993, and it caught-on nationwide as a way to introduce young girls to the workplace... and to improve their self-esteem. Another person concerned with the self-esteem of girls is Joe Kelly, Duluth resident and author of a new book called "Dads and Daughters: How to Inspire, Support and Understand Your Daughter When She's Growing Up So Fast." Kelly says raising a daughter presents different challenges for men than raising a son.
April 26, 2002 - Archbishops of the dioceses of Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota talked about their thoughts about sexual abuse conducted by Catholic priests.