April 19, 2001 - Minnesota's American Indian tribes have won a 200-thousand-dollar award for promoting preventive health for the elderly. The University of Pennsylvania's Institute on Aging recognized the state's eleven tribal communities along with the Minnesota Board on Aging for developing the Wisdom Steps program which provides education and healthy-living activities. Minnesota was one of three recipients this year of the university's SHARE award. Mary Snobl, an Indian elder specialist with the Minnesota Board on Aging says it's important that her community focus on healthy practices because on average, American Indians live 8 to 10 years less than many Americans.
April 19, 2001 - At a conference of social workers, judges and attorneys, the Chief Justice of Minnesota's Supreme Court posed this provacative question: Is it possible the child protection system itself represents a form of child abuse and neglect? Justice Kathleen Blatz cited research that shows 80 percent of Minnesota's prison inmates had some contact with the child protection system and she announced a plan to rethink how the system protects children. Minnesota Public Radio's Elizabeth Stawicki reports.
April 25, 2001 - As soon as the Mississippi River reopens to barge travel, rafts of corn kernels will head down river en route to their final destination -- Southeast Asia. Along the way kernels will be tested and retested for traces of Starlink, a genetically modified corn now banned around the world. Last fall Starlink turned up in taco shells and corn chips, prompting mass recalls and a shake up on the export market. The corn's manufacturer continues to push for full governmental approval which would allow for human consumption, but with the spring thaw, Midwestern grain elevators and their customers are preparing for round two. Mainstreet Radio's Erin Galbally reports:
April 25, 2001 -
April 25, 2001 - Minnesota is known around the country for its medical device companies. But the state lacks a vibrant biotechnology industry that many say could be vital to future economic development. Now state officials are joining the University of Minnesota in launching a public-private partnership they hope will encourage small companies and make the state a center for biotech business activity. Minnesota Public Radio's Andrew Haeg reports.
April 25, 2001 - About 150 Minnesota teens congregated at the capitol yesterday to apply pressure on legislators. They want their money to fight the tobacco companies, but the government thinks that their cut is too big.
April 25, 2001 - The University of Minnesota has hired an international expert in BSE, or what's commonly known as Mad Cow Disease to head its new Center for Animal Health and Food Safety at the College of Veterinary Medicine. As a veterinarian, William Hueston has devoted his career to understanding and tracking animal diseases here and in the United Kingdom. In the early Nineties, he led the charge to discover the risks of BSE affecting animals in the U-S. I asked him about the chances of it showing up in the states:
April 26, 2001 - MPR’s Dan Gunderson reports that Minnesota counties are concerned about a legislative proposal to cut off cash welfare payments to thousands of Minnesotans starting next summer. County officials fear they will be responsible for paying the cost of caring for those who lose state assistance. Advocacy groups say many of Minnesota’s working poor will forced to seek charity to survive….but the author of the House bill says those concerns are largely unfounded.
April 27, 2001 - The physician-assisted dying movement began taking shape about thirty years ago with laws allowing patients to refuse medical treatment, including life-prolonging therapy. Over the past decade some doctors, most notably Jack Kevorkian, have argued for a more active role in assisting patients who want to die on their own terms. The Center for Bioethics at the University of Minnesota is co-sponsoring a conference today Helms reports.
April 27, 2001 - The Minnesota Nurses Association and 13 Twin Cities Hospitals are negotiating new contracts for nearly 9 thousand nurses. The current contract is up on May 31st and both sides say they need to create a system that will attract and keep nurses in the field. The nursing union says a shortage of nurses has increased workloads , causing some to retire and others to seek new jobs. They say local hospitals have to increase pay levels dramatically to keep nurses working. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports...