June 15, 2004 - As part of the Mainstreet Radio series “Meth in Minnesota,” MPR’s Gunderson reports on meth use by students of Minnesota’s schools.
June 16, 2004 - As part of the Mainstreet Radio series “Meth in Minnesota,” MPR’s Jeff Horwich reports on the expanding problem of meth abuse and transport throughout the state.
June 21, 2004 - MPR’s Tom Scheck reports that the first group of Hmong from a refugee camp in Thailand are scheduled to arrive in Minnesota. They are among a group of 15,000 Hmong refugees expected to arrive in the U.S. by the end of 2004. A third of them are expected to settle in St. Paul.
August 5, 2004 - Jim Farrell and Jeanne Weigum have a discussion of the smoking bans already in place as well as those being considered for bars and restaurants throughout Minnesota.
August 25, 2004 - A conversation with Minnesota Twins physician Dr. Jon Hallberg about second opinions. Hallberg uses the example of Twins rookie catcher Joe Mauer, who has had his share of health problems over the past few months.
September 8, 2004 - Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry campaigned in Rochester today. He met with a group of about 150 local folks in the back yard of a Rochester residence to talk about healthcare. Minnesota Public Radio's Erin Galbally was there and joins us now on the line.
November 5, 2004 - Economists are still looking for signs the job market is healthy again. But for those who are not healthy themselves even looking for a job is a major challenge, in good times and bad. More than 20 percent of working-age Minnesotans have a disability of some sort. Others are recovering from addiction that sent their working lives off the rails. Minnesota Public Radio's Jeff Horwich looks at the market for Minnesota's so-called "challenged job-seekers."
November 29, 2004 - When it comes to health care, Governor Pawlenty thinks there's strength in numbers. So much so that he's formed an informal alliance of state government, large employers and labor groups. Pawlenty hopes the large group can initiate changes in the health care marketplace that will lower costs and improve quality. He also plans on eliminating some required paperwork for providers and wants improvements to medical technology. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports...
December 6, 2004 - MPR’s Perry Finelli interviews Dr. Pat Walker, medical director at the Center for International Health at Regions Hospital, about mass health screening clinics for new refugees.
December 8, 2004 -