May 28, 2003 -
May 29, 2003 - Legislative inaction has forced state lawmakers into at least one more day of budget wrangling as they struggle to erase a projected $4.2 billion deficit. But House and Senate leaders say they hope to break the impasse later today (THURSDAY) with final votes on both a health and human services package and a bonding bill that borrows money for state building projects. Minnesota Public Radio's Michael reports on the budget gridlock.
May 29, 2003 - The Minnesota House has passed a seven-point-four billion dollar health and human services bill. Democrats voted against it, calling it the meanest of the Republican budget bills. They say it will eliminate state health coverage for thousands of Minnesotans, an estimate Republicans dispute. The Senate is now debating the bill, as lawmakers hope to end the special session today (THURSDAY). Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports...
June 2, 2003 - The Centers for Disease Control says an obesity epidemic threatens the health of millions of Americans. A recent CDC report says a quarter of all Americans get virtually no exercise. Experts say regular exercise is a key to keeping weight under control. For many people that means a stop at the health club. It's not quite as easy for those living in small towns. Today, we begin a new series from Mainstreet Radio, "The Fight Against Fat". Dan Gunderson reports for some people the barrier to fitness lies partly in geography.
June 2, 2003 -
June 3, 2003 - For years, scientists have looked for the causes behind obesity. They've found many possibilities. They've looked at Pyschological, physiological and cultural reasons. As part of our on-going series, 'The Fight against Fat', Mainstreet Radio's Rob Schmitz reports that recent advances in neuroscience have given researchers an unprecedented look into the brain's important role in the equation.
June 3, 2003 - Governor Pawlenty and legislative leaders took their differing opinions of the legislative session across the state yesterday . The Legislature adjourned a ten-day special session on Thursday night by finalizing a budget that erases a four-point-two billion dollar deficit without raising state taxes. Both Pawlenty and Senate DFLers are using their separate tours to differentiate their ideas. Meanwhile, Minnesotans are already forming opinions about the budget. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports.
June 3, 2003 - Research shows interesting, new correlations between exercise and health. Even obese people who exercise are healthier than thin people who don't. A leading researcher on obesity says you don't have to lose weight to be healthy you just have to walk. People who exercise - no matter what their weight - have half the death rate of those who just sit around. Cara Hetland has the next installment in our Mainstreet Radio series, "The Fight Against Fat." She reports, increasing your life span could be as simple as walking 30 minutes each day.
June 4, 2003 - All this week, Minnesota Public Radio is looking at the growing rates of obesity in the state. Doctors and public health advocates worry Minnesotans are gaining more and more weight. The situation also presents a fundamental and frightening challenge for health insurance companies. Some say the industry is not adapting fast enough. HMOs say Minnesotans themselves need to start living healthier lives. Mainstreet Radio's Jeff Horwich has the latest in our series, "The Fight Against Fat."
June 4, 2003 - There's a growing crisis among America's children. Recent studies agree that young people are heavier than ever. Three times more kids are considered overweight than twenty years ago. Students used to get a lot more exercise in school but school officials say they don't have the time or money for recommended physical education. Meanwhile, kids can find plenty of calories right on school property, from the lunchroom to the vending machines. Mainstreet Radio's Bob Kelleher reports the next installment in our continuing series; "The Fight Against Fat."