March 26, 2001 - The state's largest non-profit, which helps children who have autism or mental retardation, wants to shorten its waiting list by expanding. Experts say Minneapolis-based Fraser offers some of the most comprehensive programs in the country for children with mental disabilities, but waits of a year to get Fraser services are common. The organization is raising money to build a center officials say will shorten the delays.
March 27, 2001 - Jackie Schwietz is from Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life. She says that the bill sounds completely one-sided, allowing citizens to only have one viewpoint on a license plate.
March 27, 2001 - The outbreak of two livestock diseases in Europe is heightening awareness in beef producers in the US. The US Department of Agriculture has introduced stringent efforts to keep both foot and mouth disease and madcow disease out of the country. But some epidemiologists and agriculture experts say despite the precautions it's possible that cases can occur in Minnesota. In the new global economy, health experts say a virus is only a plane ride away. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports...
March 27, 2001 - A bill that would extend health insurance to virtually every uninsured child in Minnesota has cleared a state Senate committee. The proposal would offer coverage to the estimated 48-thousand children who now go without insurance. Estimates suggest the plan would cost the state between 35 and 60 million dollars annually. Jim Koppel is the Director of the Children's Defense Fund. He says the money would be well spent:
March 27, 2001 - Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life supports the bill to create a "Choose Life" license plate for vehicles. Money from the plates would assist women who made an adoption plan. Catholic charities and New Horizons have helped back this concept. The idea came from Florida.
March 28, 2001 -
March 30, 2001 - Attorney General Mike Hatch and Allina CEO Gordon Sprenger announced a deal to renew an audit of the health provider's business practices. Last week, Hatch questioned Allina's administrative costs and the company's spending on executive perks. Hatch also claimed the non-profit was delaying the release of important documents. Both sides say the new agreement should expedite the review. Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo has more.
March 30, 2001 - Tests on two North Carolina pigs supsected of having Foot and Mouth Disease came up negative today. Minnesota State Veternarian Tom Hagerty says chances are very low that a Foot and Mouth Disease outbreak could occur in the U-S. Hagerty is just back from a meeting with other state veternarians and U-S agriculture officials in Washington D.C. He says the meeting was helpful for establishing a federal strategy for containing any U-S cases of Foot and Mouth:
March 30, 2001 -
April 2, 2001 -