October 16, 2003 - Governor Pawlenty announced a plan today that would make it easier for Minnesotans to buy lower priced prescription drugs from Canada. Pawlenty wants the state to create a website that lists Canadian pharmacies that meet state standards for safety. He's also asking state officials to look at importing foreign-made, government-approved drugs for Minnesotans. Critics say the plan isn't safe for consumers and could endanger the economic health of pharmacies across Minnesota. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports.
October 21, 2003 - Nearly two-thousand University of Minnesota clerical workers are walking the picket lines at this hour. Marisa Helms reports.
October 21, 2003 - The University of Minnesota's clerical union is on strike today. Marisa Helms has followed the negotiations. She has spent much of the day at the Twin Cities campus of the U of M, where news conferences by the union and university administrators have just wrapped up. She joins us now.
October 22, 2003 - Members of the University of Minnesota's clerical union are off the job and on the picket lines again this morning. Marisa Helms reports.
October 23, 2003 - A lawsuit over supplying anti-rejection drugs to an illegal immigrant may be close to resolution. The suit involves a 16-year-old illegal immigrant from Mexico who under went a kidney transplant at the Mayo Clinic earlier this year. At the time the cost of the transplant was covered by the state. So was aftercare. But since then Minnesota law has changed. And expensive drugs the young man needs are no longer covered. Minnesota Public Radio's Erin Galbally reports.
October 23, 2003 - The third day of the strike by University of Minnesota clerical workers passed with no sign of movement from either side to break the impasse. No talks have been scheduled since the negotiations broke off Monday evening. Since the strike began the two sides have disagreed about how many workers have taken to the picket lines. The university says nearly sixty percent of the 19-hundred workers covered by the clerical contract have shown up for work. Union leaders say the number is half that. Minnesota Public Radio's Marisa reports.
October 24, 2003 - Minnesota Health Department officials say there's plenty of vaccine to go around this influenza season. But having flu vaccine available and preventing the spread of the flu are two different things. Many people still need convincing to undergo innoculation. Dr. Jon Hallberg is the medical director of the University of Minnesota Primary Care Center and our regular medical analyst. He says the flu virus kills nearly 36,000 Americans each year and infects up to 20 percent of the US population.
October 24, 2003 -
October 24, 2003 - One year ago tomorrow (SATURDAY) the Minnesota and national political worlds were thrown into shock and confusion when Senator Paul Wellstone, his wife, daughter, and five others were killed in plane crash eleven days before the election. His supporters, his admirers, and those who came to rely on his voice in the Senate say they're still grappling with the loss -- and fighting to advance his agenda. But Wellstone was also a polarizing figure during his political career. He never won election to the Senate with more than 50-percent of the vote. And many of his critics said he was better at giving speeches than at passing bills. Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo has this look at Wellstone's political legacy.
October 27, 2003 - The number of Minnesotans who are at high risk of developing diabetes over the next decade is forecast to rise dramatically... to more than 500-thousand. The problem is getting so severe... that a broad-based coalition of doctors from health organizations... including the Minnesota Health Department... and the Mayo Clinic... has formed a steering committee to address the issue. They're launching a formal plan later today that's designed to slow down the increasing rate of diabetes. It's called the "Minnesota Diabetes Plan 2-thousand-10." Joining us on the line is Dr. Michael Gonzales-Campoy (cam-POY).... chairman of the steering committee. That is Dr. Michael Gonzalez-Campoy, the president-elect of the Minnesota Medical Association.