April 30, 1998 - Much of the dispute in the trial has focused on what it's cost the state and insurance companies to treat people with smoking related illnesses. Health workers who work with smokers say they're glad the trial is taking place regardless of the outcome because more people are thinking about the effects of smoking. They say it's also important to hear the stories of real people whose lives have been affected by smoking. Minnesota Public Radio's Brent Wolfe has the story of a woman from Rochester.
April 30, 1998 - Advances in medicine give physicians better tools to heal the sick, but some patients feel their humanity gets overlooked by doctors focused on equipment, medication, and the pressure to see more patients. Studies show a relationship between faith and health. In the final story in our series on religion in everday life, Minnesota Public Radio's Brent Wolfe reports many medical schools are teaching doctors how to use spirituality as another tool to heal.
May 4, 1998 - This program is titled "Inventing the Poster Child” and focuses on unsolicited charity from the perspective of those who have received it. It also explores how the disability charity business was built and how people with disabilities are working to change it.
May 5, 1998 - This program is titled " What's Work Got To Do With It?” and explores how new and old ideas about social welfare…public programs versus philanthropic ones, affect the lives of people with disabilities.
May 5, 1998 - Neither side in Minnesota's tobacco trial will confirm or deny a published report that settlement talks are underway. But many trial observers say the state would be smart to settle with tobacco companies, with the case scheduled to go to the jury later this week. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports.
May 6, 1998 - St. Paul trial attorney Ron Rosenmbaum helps sort through the legal questions on whether the lawyers in the tobacco trial should settle the case, or let the jury decide. Rosenmbaum also answers listener questions. Program begins with MPR reporter Laura McCallum presenting latest from the federal courthouse.
May 6, 1998 - This program is titled " The Overdue Revolution” and studies how the identity of people with disabilities has evolved, the communities in which they have lived, and the emergence of the disability civil rights movement.
May 6, 1998 - As Minnesota's tobacco trial enters its final days, attorneys for the state and Blue Cross Blue Shield have introduced into evidence a final batch of formerly-secret tobacco industry documents. They include research into the smoking motivations of children, and lawyers' memos about smoking and health research. The state contends tobacco companies marketed to underage smokers, and covered up research linking smoking and disease. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports... The state's legal team hinted some of the most incriminating company documents would come in this last group of memos, many of them from the
May 6, 1998 - A group out to reduce tobacco use in Minnesota says the state should get tough on enforcing the law which prohibits smoking under age 18. In addition Minnesota Decides wants to ban smoking in bars and restaurants. The group is described as "a community health partnership" led by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota. Anti-smoking activists welcome the report. They say Minnesota has fallen behind other states in smoking prevention. Minnesota Public Radio's Dan Olson reports. --------------------------------------------------------- | D-CART ITEM: 7175 | TIME: 4:13 | OUTCUE: "...SOC --------------------------------------------------------- We brag about surviving cold winters and coping with mosquitoes and we point with pride to our 25 year old anti smoking law. The Minnesota Clean Indoor Act, the first in the nation, regulates smoking in public places including restuarants and work sites. Most winters are still cold and mosquitoes still bite but the state's anti smoking effort has been
May 6, 1998 - The judge presiding over Minnesota's tobacco trial today gave jury instructions that tobacco companies say are grounds for appeal. The case is rapidly winding to a close, despite continuing rumors of an out-of-court settlement. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports... Judge Kenneth Fitzpatrick's instructions to the jury should come as no surprise - they're consistent with his previous rulings. He told jurors when considering damages, they shouldn't take into account any of the state's revenues from cigarette excise taxes. He said they shouldn't consider whether smokers had other risky habits that might have raised health care costs, and said tobacco companies can't use as a defense what individ