April 27, 1998 - The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has found half the ten feedlots it tested in the past two weeks exceed state standards for hydrogen sulfide, a toxic gas. State Agriculture Commissioner Gene Hugoson says the test results are unsettling, but factors such as wind, weather, livestock feed and water, could have influenced the outcome: Minnesota Agriculture Commissioner, Gene Hugoson. Sun 28-MAY 11:25:05 MPR NewsPro Archive - Wed 04/11/2001
April 29, 1998 - What is organic food? That question is at the heart of a fight between the U.S. Agriculture Department and organic farmers. New rules proposed by USDA leaves open the chance "organic" may include genetically modified food and items currently banned from carrying the label. A public comment period on the nation's first organic standard ends Thursday (April 30). Thousands have commented, a majority oppose a broad definition of "organic". Mainstreet Radio's Mark Steil reports. : Most of the nation's organic farmers agree some sort of national definition of organic is needed. Right now organic is whatever individual state or private agencies say it is and that varies a great deal. Far
April 30, 1998 - A new government report says teen birth rates have declined in Minnesota and the nation as a whole in the first half of this decade. Minnesota participated in the trend and historically has teen birth rates significantly lower than the nation's as a whole. However, African American teen pregnancy rates in Minnesota are among the highest in the nation. Those numbers are NOT declining, even though THEY ARE nationally. Minnesota Public Radio's Bill Catlin reports: Teen birth rates declined from 1990 to 1996 nationally, to about 55 per one thousand 15 to 19 year old females. IN the first half of the 90's Minnesota's teen birth rate dropped 13 percent, a bigger drop than the national decline of 8 and a half percent. Rebecca Wright saw some of the trends a
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.