December 20, 2001 - Mainstreet Radios Bob Reha reports on 40 of Sudan's “Lost Boys” that now call Fargo home. They are refugees from years of civil war plaguing their North African country. An estimated two million people have died in the conflict. The Fargo Lost Boys trekked from Sudan through Ethiopia to Kenya. They now are facing the challenges of adapting to a new culture, all while dreaming of returning home.
December 21, 2001 - Many charities say they're seeing increased demand for services, and fewer donations this year. Mainstreet Radios Dan Gunderson checked in with some agencies providing food around the region.
December 21, 2001 - Scott Fischbach, the new head of the Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life (MCCL).
December 26, 2001 - Mainstreet Radio’s Dan Gunderson reports on a pilot project on White Earth Reservation that is trying to reduce the effects of diabetes by bringing back a diet of traditional food.
December 27, 2001 - As the economic slowdown continues, more people are looking for work . Some have been forced into it, but there are other reasons. Some are considering giving up their jobs in metropolitan areas to move back to what they perceive as a safer environment. Since the September terrorist attacks areas like the Red River Valley have seen an increase in interest in what the region has to offer. Mainstreet Radios Bob Reha reports.
December 27, 2001 - MPR’s Cathy interviews Amy Klobuchar, Hennepin County Attorney, on fight against elder abuse. Klobuchar will announce the results of a program designed to prevent abuse of the elderly. The Senior Initiative is one year old. Its team of four attorneys, an investigator, and a victim advocate has worked on 43 cases so far this year. Klobuchar says they've seen a wide range of crimes.
December 28, 2001 - The largest, and longest running study of hunger in America shows last year nearly half of the people using food-shelves were working, many at full time jobs. As Minnesota Public Radio's Mary Stucky reports, with the economy in recession, Second Harvest officials are braced for an unprecedented need for emergency food. {
January 2, 2002 - **For Wed 1/2 M.E.** Beginning next week, an unusual appeals panel sets up shop in Minnesota; it'll be the first of its kind in the country. The panel, comprised of three former Twin Cities judges, will act as a kind of appeals court when health insurer Blue Cross Blue Shield denies mental health coverage to a subscriber. Minnesota Public Radio's Elizabeth Stawicki reports:
January 2, 2002 - Medicare payment disparities are hurting rural Minnesota. That's according to a new report written by former Minnesota DFL congressman David Minge, and sponsored by the Blandin Foundation. The study is the first of its kind for putting a dollar figure on the difference between rural and urban rates in Medicare, which is the federal government's biggest health care program for seniors. Joining us on the line is David Minge. -- What are the main findings of the study? -- Why the disparities between rural and urban areas? -- How is this study different?
January 4, 2002 - In today's edition of the Minneapolis-based business journal CityBusiness, William George will be named Executive of the Year. George is the Chairman of Medtronic. He was chosen for his contributions to the company and his commitment to the community. George has increased Medtronic's market worth by more than 170 percent since he joined the company in 1989. He left his position as CEO last summer, and will retire as chairman this May. Sam Black wrote the article about George for CityBusiness. He says George has an interesting approach to leadership.