February 13, 2001 - The Centers for Disease Control launched an ambitious campaign to cut the number of people infected by HIV in half by the year 2005. At least one Minnesota AIDS organization claims the state's AIDS and HIV positive population is on the rise -- marking a significant reversal of recent trends. Meanwhile AIDS authorities in Wisconsin say recent numbers including a nine and a half percent jump in new HIV infections and an 11-percent increase in AIDS related deaths, will make it difficult for the state to meet the new CDC goal. Minnesota Public Radio's Erin Galbally has this report:
February 13, 2001 - The University of Minnesota is keeping the heat on state lawmakers to spend more money on the school than what the Governor is proposing. Yesterday (mon) U-of-M President Mark Yudof went before the Senate Higher Education Budget Division to press his point. Minnesota Public Radio's Patty Marsicano reports:
February 15, 2001 - AIDS Activists spent the day at the Capitol today (thursday) lobbying the state legislature to increase funding for HIV and AIDS prevention. Officials with the Minnesota AIDS Project want the state to spend an additional 2 million dollars to improve education efforts regarding HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases. The group says it's disappointed with Governor Ventura's budget because it cuts HIV prevention spending for the first time since the epidemic began. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports...
February 15, 2001 - The Minnesota Nurses Association, the state chapter of the American Association of Retired Persons and long-term care facilities want the legislature to limit how much temporary nurses agencies can charge nursing homes. The groups say the so-called "nursing pools" are taking unfair advantage of the state's worker shortage by charging exhorbitant rates for workers. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports...
February 15, 2001 - Suicide depression campaign, working with Suicide Awareness Voices of Education (SAVE), is raising awareness about suicide.
February 15, 2001 - Morning Edition’s Cathy Wurzer talks with DFL State Representative Betty Folliard, a supporter of Displaced Homemaker Program, which a Senate committee has unanimously approved a bill that would continue funding. The 23-year-old program is designed to help stay-at-home moms who are widowed, divorced, or abandoned and Folliard says the program is still necessary.
February 16, 2001 - Minnesota Dental Association are pushing the bill to ban selling pop at public schools
February 16, 2001 - A legislative effort to make the fourth "Driving While Intoxicated" charge in ten years a felony cleared a major hurdle today. The Senate Crime Prevention Committee approved the bill sending it on to the finance committee. The same committee also heard testimony for AND AGAINST a proposed tax on alcohol sales in Minnesota to help pay for alcoholism treatment and for enforcement of alcohol related laws. Even the author of the new tax admits the measure has little chance for approval. DFL Senator John Marty says he's hopeful discussion NOW will lead to a so-called alcohol "user" fee in the future. Minnesota Pubic Radio's Mark Zdechlik reports..
February 16, 2001 - Rochester's third homeless shelter will open this weekend. Religious leaders in Rochester say many of the people who need shelter are able to find low-paying jobs but no home. In fact, Rochester housing officials say their community has one of the worst affordable housing problems in the state. Mainstreet Radio's Laurel Druley has this report. {
February 16, 2001 - A new poll finds most Minnesotans support stiffer penalties for drunk drivers. The Minnesota Public Radio/St Paul Pioneer Press Poll finds more than half of respondents want to lower the legal blood alcohol level to .08. and also support raising the penalty for multiple DWI's to a felony. Minnesota Public Radio's Elizabeth Stawicki reports: