March 10, 2003 - Many employers are dealing with gaps in their staff caused by the deployment of military reserves in preparation for war. Healthcare providers are especially sensitive because of an already crippling nurse shortage. They were competing with the military before the deployments. The reserves offer impressive signing bonuses to attract more nurses from the civilian sector. Minnesota Public Radio's Rob Schmitz reports. {Hospitals in Minnesota are currently short around 3000 nurses. According to the Minnesota Nurses Association, this number will jump to almost 8000 by 2020. Minnesota Nurses Association Executive Director Erin Murphy says a war would just exacerbate the crisis.
March 12, 2003 -
March 12, 2003 - The U.S. Food and Drug Administration says it may take legal action against those who assist Americans in buying prescription medicines from Canada. The agency's new regulatory stance is still being defined, but the FDA says that facilitating the purchase of Canadian drugs may violate civil and criminal law. Marty Gates is co-chair of the Medicare Justice Coalition and a member of the Minnesota Senior Federation. She says drugs in the United States can cost up to 90 percent more than identical drugs in Canada. Gates says she was shocked by the FDA's announcement.
March 13, 2003 -
March 14, 2003 -
March 19, 2003 -
March 21, 2003 - A Minneapolis psychologist is warning that media coverage of war can have a profound effect on children. David Walsh is president and founder of the National Institute on Media and the Family. He says that during times of crisis parents should keep close watch on their children's emotions.
March 28, 2003 -
March 31, 2003 - Nearly 200 teenagers gathered outside the annual Target Market conference in Arden Hills yesterday. The teens wore duct tape over their mouths to signify they would not be silenced in efforts to save the anti-tobacco smoking group. The Governor has been clear that he intends to use the three anti-tobacco endowments to help bridge the state's more than four-(b)illion dollar deficit. While the legislature must still approve the plan, using money from the state's tobacco settlement is likely to pass if other states' actions are indicators. While the Governor says there will still be money appropriated for helping those addicted quit smoking and preventing others from starting, there's one group that'll disappear: Target Market, a program for teenagers. Minnesota Public Radio's Elizabeth Stawicki reports:
April 1, 2003 - The Minnesota House has passed a bill (MONDAY) that would require abortion providers to give women seeking an abortion 24 hours before the procedure is done. Supporters say the measure will ensure that women have all of the available information before they have an abortion. Opponents say the bill is filled with bad information and is an attempt to restrict the procedure in the state. The 24 hour waiting period bill was one many Minnsota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports...