September 21, 1998 - There is still no official cause of death for gold medal sprinter Florence Griffith Joyner. Although she did have a history of as yet unexplained heart problems. Her death, while surprising, is possibly part of a sad reality for many African Americans. Cardiovascular disease is a serious problem among blacks. Fifty percent will die from heart disease complications or stroke. Rates of high blood pressure among African Americans are also 50-percent higher than many other ethnic groups. CEO of the Association of Black Cardiologists, Waine Kong, says while researchers still do not understand the full reason why African Americans have higher rates of heart disease, they do know that cutting back on high fat foods and smoking helps reduce deaths. Kong says for now, prevention is the best medicine doctors can offer: | D-CART ITEM: 0525
September 21, 1998 - Pollution that that has killed tens of thousands of fish in a southern Minnesota creek is spreading slowly downstream toward the Minnesota River. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency is investigating to see if a pipe leak reported September 14th by a vegetable processor in Montgomery is the main cause of the fish kill. Minnesota Public Radio's Mary Losure reports. Around 15 miles of Sand Creek-- a tributary that flows north to the Minnesota River--are now contaminated. What DNR officials describe as a "black slug" water has moved downstream from Montgomery and is now a few m
October 12, 1998 - [USE THIS VERSION: Please note anchor tag] It's been ten months since welfare reform went into effect across Minnesota. This week Minnesota Public Radio is examining the impact of the changes, and what their long-term effects are likely to be. Today we start with the basics.... how does it work? The heart of welfare reform in Minnesota is something known as MFIP, (M-FIP) the Minnesota Family Investment Program. The state of Minnesota calls MFIP tough but fair welfare reform. Critics say its a short term solution that forces people into dead end jobs and leaves them in poverty. Minnesota Public Radios Dan Gunderson Reports ...
November 9, 1998 - ** NOTE: Anchor outcue ** For the last two weeks, feedlots have been the topic of conversation in many Minnesota communities. A series of public comment meetings are generating material for a comprehensive study on animal agriculture. One issue guaranteed to get attention is odor from animal feedlots; however, the focus of the discussion is shifting. A recent courtcase in Pope County has drawn attention to the "cumulative impact" of feedlot odors...one issue which may be the next big hurdle in the state's approach to feedlot regulation. Mainstreet Radio's Gretchen Lehmann reports. ANCHOR OUTCUE: The final public comment meeting on large-scal
November 10, 1998 - At a time when most cities can boast of a decade or more of prosperity and job growth, Rochester Minnesota is particularly fortunate. The city's economic growth consistantly outpaces the rest of the state. The city's humming economy and family-friendly environment has put it in Money Magazine's top three places to live in the nation for the past six years. The cornerstone of success is the expansive Mayo Clinic which employs nearly a quarter of Rochester's population. But much of the recent growth has been fueled by a network of technology development and manufacturing firms. Minnesota Public Radio's Art Hughes reports that cut-backs by one of the city's largest empoloyers spurred city and business leaders to cultivate a stronger economic foundation. The shock of downsizing hit Rochester hard five years ago when IBM---the city's second largest employer--layed off some two-thousand people.
November 13, 1998 - The Minnesota AIDS Project says millions of dollars will be needed to fight an epidemic of sexually transmitted diseases. But The state health department says, first, more research is needed to find out the extent of the problem. Minnesota Public Radio's Dan Gunderson reports... Most people are well aware of the dangers of the most publicized sexually transmitted disease..AIDS. But public health officials say few people are aware of syphilis, chlamydia and the papilloma virus. The centers for disease control says its a national epidemic Jeremy Hanson public policy co-ordinator for the Minnesota
November 17, 1998 - The University of Minnesota and the federal government have reached a thirty-two million dollar settlement of a lawsuit over the organ transplant drug ALG. Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo report.
November 18, 1998 - The University of Minneosta has reached an out-of-court settlement with the federal government over charges relating to its ALG drug research program. The university has agreed to pay $32 million dollars in damages to resolve the case. Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo has more.
November 23, 1998 - Duluth teachers vote Tuesday whether to accept a new contract. The Independent District 709 board approved the agreement Sunday, but board members worry how to pay for it. Minnesota Public Radio's Bob Kelleher reports...
November 24, 1998 - Speaker-designate Steve Sviggum named the 28 new chairmen of the Minnesota House legislative committees today (TUES). The chairmen have a lot of say over which bills get a hearing, and they'll set the new tone for the new Republican majority. Minnesota Public Radio's Martin Kaste has more.