November 28, 2003 - Most law firms in the twin cities do pro bono work. But only the six major law firms offer free legal clinics. Leonard, Street and Deinhard was the first to open an office in one of the poorest areas of Minneapolis. The one room office is located in a health clinic that serves clients that are mostly poor people of color. And many of the clients are immigrants who don't speak English. Recently, the firm celebrated the 10th anniversary of it's clinic. Minnesota Public Radio's Brandt Williams reports:
December 3, 2003 - This year's World AIDS Day brought news that both the United Nations and the World Health Organization will step up efforts to combat the global AIDS epidemic. It also served as a reminder that, during the last two decades, over 22 million people have died of the disease and 40 million are now infected with H-I-V, the precursor to the disease. Dr. Jon Hallberg is medical director of the Primary Care Clinic at the University of Minnesota. He says, despite medical advances, three million people around the world still die of AIDS each year.
December 3, 2003 - A new state economic forecast released today (WEDNESDAY) shows the state has not completely resolved its budget problem. The forecast projects a relatively modest deficit of 185-million dollars in the current two-year budget cycle. The last Legislature tackled a much larger four-and-a-half billion dollar shortfall. Republican leaders say the deficit is manageable with current resources, but some groups are already calling for tax increases. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports...
December 3, 2003 - Minnesota finance officials release the state's latest economic forecast today (WEDNESDAY). The last forecast - released in February - showed a projected four-and-a-half billion dollar deficit, which the Legislature eliminated with spending cuts, one-time money and accounting shifts. Governor Pawlenty and legislative leaders say they don't expect today's forecast to show a dramatic upturn or downturn. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports...
December 4, 2003 - Governor Pawlenty's call for returning the death penalty to Minnesota is encountering stiff criticism from some who say the governor is trading on the publicity surrounding the disappearance last month of 22-year-old Dru Sjodin. One day after a convicted sex offender was arrested in connection with Sjodin's apparent abduction, Pawlenty said he'd support capital punishment in certain murder or attempted murder cases that involve sexual assault. But that plan is likely to face stiff opposition from lawmakers in both parties. Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo has more.
December 5, 2003 - A diabetes expert testified for the defense today at the felony manslaughter trial of Congressman Bill Janklow. The former South Dakota governor is alleged to have run a stop sign at high speed last August, into the path of an on-coming motorcycle. The motorcycle's rider, Randy Scott, died at the scene. Janklow's attorneys are trying to show Janklow, who is a diabetic suffered a sharp drop in blood sugar just before the crash.
December 5, 2003 - Six hospitals in Minnesota have signed up to participate in a pilot program with Medicare. Some experts say it could eventually change the entire health care marketplace. It's called the Hospital Quality Incentive Demonstration Project. Scott Smith is here to talk more on this program.
December 9, 2003 - Several advocates for the poor say some Minnesota pharmacies are violating federal law. They say the pharmacists are refusing to provide drugs to low income people who can't afford a new drug copay required by the state. Federal law says pharmacies are required to give medicine to people who say they can't afford it. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports....
December 10, 2003 - A report published last week in the Journal of the American Medical Association said that the supplement Echinacea may still be helpful in preventing infection, and that the study itself indicates a greater acceptance within the medical profession.
December 10, 2003 - Fears about the severity of this year's influenza strain have depleted vaccine supplies around the country. Many clinics and doctors offices in the state have already run out of the vaccine. The Twin Cities campus of the University of Minnesota expects to exhaust its flu vaccine supply Friday. The Minnesota Department of Health today sponsored a round of flu shot clinics around the Twin Cities metropolitan area. Kris Ehrsmann is the section chief for immunization, tuberculosis and international health at the Health Department. She said today's clinics were busy, but vaccine is still available.