May 7, 2002 - When you go to the hospital you just assume doctors and nurses will have the equipment they need; simple things like bandages, stitches and catheters. There all packaged in boxes. But sometimes nurses don't use the whole box. The surplus items, still wrapped are tossed in the trash. In third world countries that trash could be a life saver. In Fargo-Moorhead a group of volunteers have created "HERO". It's the Healthcare Equipment Recycling Organization. Mainstreet Radios Bob Reha reports.
May 7, 2002 - The first major study of doctor-patient email. A survey reveals that doctors would like to be able to communicate to their patients through email. Doctors were not keen on the idea at first.
May 8, 2002 - Investors are turning again to medical technology, one of Minnesota's economic strengths. In 1999 and 2000, the share of venture capital dollars going to medical device companies dropped dramatically as money poured into dot-coms. Observers say the renewed enthusiasm for medical devices is good for Minnesota, but the state's lack of critical mass in biotechnology may be a looming threat. Minnesota Public Radio's Bill Catlin reports.
May 28, 2002 - A retired I-B-M employee says he has cancer caused by breathing toxic chemical vapors during the 22 years he worked at the IBM plant in Rochester. He's suing several chemical manufacturers in what his lawyer says has the potential to be the first of several similar suits in Minnesota. Minnesota Public Radio's Laurel Druley has this report. 65-year-old Ron Porter filed his lawsuit Friday in Dakota County District Court in Hastings. Porter alleges his exposure to more than 40 toxins at the I-B-M facility is directly related to his battle with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Porter is asking for reasonable compensation in excess of 50,000 dollars.
May 28, 2002 - Senator Paul Wellstone formally launched his bid for a third term today. He toldd supporters much work remains a head of him in Washington from improving conditions for veterans to making health care, prescription drugs and housing more affordable. In seeking another six years in the Senate, Wellstone is breaking a self-imposed two-term limit.
May 30, 2002 - The May edition of MPR's "Voices of Minnesota" series, featuring two Minnesotans who do international relief work: Juliette Fournot of Doctors Without Borders and Tony Kozlowski, former head of the Minnesota-based American Refugee Committee, who is now with a Swiss humanitarian agency.
June 1, 2002 - An American RadioWorks special report presents the documentary “Fast Food and Animal Rights: McDonald's New Farm,” which looks at how McDonald’s has launched the first campaign of its kind to pressure slaughterhouses that provide their meat to dispatch the animals more humanely…and executives say they couldn't have done it without Temple Grandin.
June 4, 2002 - A University of Minnesota study found families of farmers who use pesticides have higher rates of birth defects than urban families. The study looked at almost 700 Red River Valley farm families . Researchers say however the study did not establish a direct link between pesticides and the birth defects. Mainstreet Radios Bob Reha reports. <
June 7, 2002 - MPR presents a series of reports "Reading, Writing and Revenue," which looks at Minneosta schools' funding crunch. MPR’s Tim Pugmire looks at the discussion on potential long-term financial solutions for Minnesota school districts.
June 13, 2002 - Tonight (Thursday evening) Republican party activists will formally endorse former St. Paul Mayor Norm Coleman for US Senate. Republicans are beginning their state convention this evening at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul. Top republicans from President Bush on down are banking on Coleman to unseat two term DFL Senator Paul Wellstone. It's a campaign of stark ideological contrasts, even though the last time Wellstone ran, Coleman was a Democrat. Minnesota Public Radio's Mark Zdechlik reports...