December 10, 2003 - Fears about the severity of this year's influenza strain have depleted vaccine supplies around the country. Many clinics and doctors offices in the state have already run out of the vaccine. The Twin Cities campus of the University of Minnesota expects to exhaust its flu vaccine supply Friday. The Minnesota Department of Health today sponsored a round of flu shot clinics around the Twin Cities metropolitan area. Kris Ehrsmann is the section chief for immunization, tuberculosis and international health at the Health Department. She said today's clinics were busy, but vaccine is still available.
December 10, 2003 - A report published last week in the Journal of the American Medical Association said that the supplement Echinacea may still be helpful in preventing infection, and that the study itself indicates a greater acceptance within the medical profession.
December 9, 2003 - Democrats blocked the Senate today of Minnesota's fifth district voted for the bill. Sabo says the bill was within the budget limits set by the Republican majority, and it contained much needed funding for projects. The House voted 242-176 Monday to approve the $820 billion dollar package -- which funds everything from foreign aid, farm, veterans, education, transportation and health programs to the State Department and FBI.
December 3, 2003 - Governor Tim Pawlenty yesterday called for the reinstatement of the death penalty in Minnesota for convicted sex offenders. Pawlenty's announcement came a day after the arrest in the Dru Sjodin case. While polls have shown the majority of Minnesotans support the death penalty, the governor may have difficulty winning over both houses of the Legislature. Steven Schier is a professor of political scientist at Carleton. He says this is a politically advantageous time to bring up the issue.
December 3, 2003 - This year's World AIDS Day brought news that both the United Nations and the World Health Organization will step up efforts to combat the global AIDS epidemic. It also served as a reminder that, during the last two decades, over 22 million people have died of the disease and 40 million are now infected with H-I-V, the precursor to the disease. Dr. Jon Hallberg is medical director of the Primary Care Clinic at the University of Minnesota. He says, despite medical advances, three million people around the world still die of AIDS each year.
December 2, 2003 - Dave Jackson is communications manager for Mesaba Airlines. He says uncertainty over its status with Northwest gives it ample motivation to settle the contract dispute. Dave Jackson, communications manager for Mesaba Airlines.
December 2, 2003 - A labor dispute over job pay and security could threaten the airline that serves many of the smaller airports in the region. Mesaba and its pilots union started three days of negotiation today in Minneapolis. They have yet to agree on a contract after two-and-a-half years of talks. Mesaba operates connecting flights from hubs to smaller cities around the Midwest and the South for Northwest Airlines. Mesaba pilots voted overwhelmingly this fall to authorize a strike if necessary. To show they're prepared, today the union offered a first look at its strike operations center. On the 10th floor of an office building, overlooking Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, off-duty pilots watched a bank of five computer screens. Strike operations manager Mike Dockman says they can monitor air traffic all over the country.
December 2, 2003 - In the weeks prior to his fatal car crash in August, hockey icon Herb Brooks was working with local author Ross Bernstein on several projects, including a book about great coaches in the state. Bernstein had seen Brooks the morning of his death, and was devastated by the loss. As Bernstein talked with people in the days that followed, he realized how deeply the coach had affected those who knew him -- and knew of him. So a second book was born. "Remembering Herbie: Celebrating the Life and Times of Hockey Legend Brooks" has just been published. Bernstein says the range of people who wanted to take part were a testament to Brooks' influence.
December 1, 2003 - December can be a big month for car sales, and this year business owners have added incentive to take advantage of year-end deals, particularly on large SUVs. Part of President Bush's economic stimulus package includes a full deduction for new business equipment up to $100,000. Previously, the deduction was capped at $25,000. What's kicked up the most interest -- and controversy -- is the large vehicle provision. Vehicles weighing more than 6,000 pounds -- which includes large pickups and SUVs -- can be claimed as business purchases and fully deducted. Smaller vehicles are not eligible for the full deduction. Environmentalists have criticized the provision, and Democrats in the House and Senate are already preparing legislation to eliminate the tax break. Todd Koch is an accountant in Falcon Heights. He says that originally, the large vehicle deduction was intended for use by farmers.
November 27, 2003 - In a world of cell phones and instant messaging, one Minnesota family has discovered that an old method of communication can connect them with people an ocean away. They send messages in bottles. Over the years, Jayne and Ron Lieske <lease key> have slipped more than 100 notes into old wine bottles and thrown them into the sea. One of their messages rode the ocean currents some 1600 miles to Cuba. And it was the catalyst for a unique international relationship.