March 24, 1998 - Saint Paul for Tuesday March 24-th. plus, news cuts for news!!!!! Minnesota's welfare recipients are quickly being moved into a system that's VERY different from the one to which they have become accustomed to. The state's new welfare law emphasizes WORK and penalizes those who do not comply with the new rules. State's were mandated by the federal government to reform the welfare system as we have known it. THIS month, about one thousand of the state's 50-thousand welfare recipients had their checks reduced by ten percent for failing to show up to orientation sessions which explain how the new system works. They are being given a second chance to attend, but as Minnesota Public Radio's Karen-Louise Boothe reports, if they fail to show up AGAIN, their benefits will be cutback even FURTHER: Let's say you receive welfare payments.
March 25, 1998 - Today, in the first full day of defense testimony, the tobacco companies' witness in the state's trial discussed the volume of information on smoking and health available to Minnesotans. A key defense argument is that the dangers of smoking were well-known, therefore tobacco companies didn't mislead the public about health risks...as the state and Blue Cross Blue Shield claim. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports... Yesterday, University of Minnesota historian Hy Berman ended his testimoney with a Christopher Columbus' quote on the vice of tobacco. Today, he picked up his history lesson where he left off, moving int
March 26, 1998 - The first defense witness in Minnesota's tobacco trial today underwent vigorous cross-examination from the state. Minnesota historian Hy Berman testified Minnesotans have long been aware of the health risks of smoking, but lead plaintiff attorney pointed out gaps in his research. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports... Tobacco companies are using their first witness to argue they aren't liable for the health care costs of smoking - as the state and Blue Cross Blue Shield claim - because smokers choose to smoke knowing the health risks. Over the past two days, history professor Hy Berman cited massive media coverage and public education in the 50s and 60s to conclude Minnesotans have been a
March 27, 1998 - Both sides in Minnesota's tobacco trial claimed a University of Minnesota history professor boosted THEIR case. Defense witness Historian Hy Berman repeated a tobacco company theme that Minnesotans have long known about the health risks of smoking. But Berman also supported evidence that showed the industry misled the public. Minnesota public radio's Elizabeth Stawicki reports: At times it was hard to know just who Hy Berman was testifying for. The tobacco attorneys had hired him but when Berman stepped down from the witness stand he gave a thumbs up and a warm handshake to state's attorney Mike Ciresi. Even after court Berman refused to take sides:
March 31, 1998 - A special edition of Gray Matters series, titled Music and the Brain. This PRI documentary examines new brain research, whether music can make you smarter, how music affects the emotions, and if people with musical ability have brains that are different from other people.
April 1, 1998 - State's attorneys resume cross-examining a tobacco scientist today in Minnesota's tobacco trial. R-J Reynolds head of product development David Townsend testified yesterday his company added ammonia to cigarettes to improve flavor; the state claims the industry used ammonia to hook smokers by giving cigarettes a stronger nicotine kick. Minnesota public radio's Elizabeth Stawicki reports: Townsend repeated a defense theme that tobacco companies add ammonia to cigarettes for a smoother, chocolate-like flavor. He said R-J Reynolds began adding ammonia to its camel filters in 1974 to gain market share from highly successful Marlboro manufactured by Philip Morris. State's attorneys acknowlege ammonia d
April 2, 1998 - A House-Senate conference committee has once again deadlocked over abortion issues. A coalition of non-profit agencies says the impasse jeopardizes state funding for a wide range of health and social services. Minnesota Public Radios Eric Jansen reports from the state capitol: Abortion issues took center stage in more than five hours of debate last night over a health and human services bill. House and Senate conferees are, in theory at least, trying to work out differences between House and Senate versions of the bill that appropriates nearly $60 million dollars for a wide range of health and social service programs.
April 3, 1998 - State attorneys in Minnesota's tobacco trial showed industry memos that suggest companies knew low-tar cigarettes could be as dangerous as full-flavored cigarettes but never told the public. Attorneys introduced the memos during cross-examination of defense witness--David Townsend. Townsend is vice president of product development at the nation's second largest cigarette maker--R-J Reynolds. Minnesota Public Radio's Elizabeth Stawicki reports: A 1990 RJR memo said low-tar cigarettes aren't what they claim to be; and advertising ultra low-tar is misleading. It said smokers tend to smoke until they reach their individual requirement for nicotine by inhaling low tar cigarettes more deeply or subconsciously blocking vents on filters with their fingers or mouth.
April 3, 1998 - ST. PAUL Friday morning.edition. A comprehensive tobacco bill, which a U.S. Senate committee approved this week, could go to the senate floor next month. The action underscores the tobacco industry's eroding political influence--and hints at the national importance of information being released during the Minnesota trial against big tobacco industries. Minnesota Public Radio's Karen Louise boothe reports: The legislation would force tobacco companies to pay 506-Billion dollars over 25 years and curb their marketing practices. The bill grants fewer legal protections by allowing all lawsuits against tobacco companies, including class actions. It's legislation that supporters and opponents ALIKE say could kill the industry.
April 3, 1998 - The federal government this week released its first audit of itself, and the results are not good. You would expect that an operation the size of the U. S. government - $1.6 trillion a year - would lose track of a few transactions. But the General Accounting Office report finds the government doesn't know what it owns, or what it owes and doesn't have the record keeping system in place to find the answers. The good news is state government, at least in Minnesota, appears to have a much better handle on its affairs. Minnesota Public Radio's Dan Olson reports.