June 26, 2001 - The Minnesota Department of Human Services is sending out notices to people who receive state health care benefits informing them that payments for some services will be delayed if the government shuts down. That means people who receive Minnesota Care, Medical Assistance, or General Assistance Medical Care could find their doctors won't be paid by the state. Lawmakers are still meeting at the capitol, but have lots of work to do in order to reach a budget agreement in time to prevent a shutdown. Michael O'Keefe is the Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Human Services. He's on the line now.
June 21, 2001 - That's Tim Smalley, boating safety specialist with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. By the way Slow-no-wake restrictions are again in place on the entire Lower St. Croix (kroy) River. The rule was automatically reinstated today when the river rose above 683 feet at the U-S Army Corps of Engineers Stillwater gauge. That's eight feet above the normal river stage.
June 6, 2001 - Morning Edition’s Cathy Wurzer interviews Terry Ryan, Minnesota Twins general manager, about the team’s selection of Cretin-Durham Hall catcher Joe Mauer as the first overall pick in the baseball draft.
June 6, 2001 - In the US Senate, Democrats are in control today for the first time in seven years. The switch means Minnesota Senators Paul Wellstone and Mark Dayton move from working in the minority... to the majority. The switch is a result of Vermont Senator Jim Jefford's decision to leave the Republicans, and declare himself an Independent. Joining us on the line to talk about the switch and what it means for Minnesota is Senator Mark Dayton.
June 6, 2001 -
June 5, 2001 - Twenty years ago today, the Centers for Disease Control first reported a strange outbreak in Los Angeles. Five otherwise healthy men in their 20s and 30s had come down with a rare kind of pnemonia. They were eventually diagnosed with what became known as Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome... or AIDS. Since then, AIDS has gone on to kill more than 22 million people around the world, over two thousand of them in Minnesota. Victor Campbell is from Minneapolis and has been living with HIV since 1984. That's Victor Campbell of Minneapolis who has been living with HIV since 1984.
June 4, 2001 - As the Minnesota Twins hold a 1/2 game lead in the American League Central and prepare for a series against the Cleveland Indians, Morning Edition’s Cathy Wurzer talks with sports commentator LaVelle Neal about what the rest of season may hold for the Twins.
May 23, 2001 -
May 22, 2001 - Nurses at North Memorial Hospital in Robbinsdale upset about last week's vote to approve a new three-year contract are asking for a recount. North Memorial was the only one of thirteen hospitals to approve a contract. Twelve other hospitals are preparing for a possible strike on June first. A spokeswoman for the Minnesota Hospital and Healthcare Partnership says the nurse's union and hospitals will likely meet with a federal mediator on Thursday. But hospitals are moving forward with their strike preparations, and are looking to hire 4,000 replacement nurses in order to stay open. Some of those replacements could come from outside the state. Shirley Brekken is the Executive Director of the Minnesota Board of Nursing. She's on the line now.
May 22, 2001 - The Minnesota Twins open a two-game set against the Seattle Mariners at the Metrodome tonight. The series pits the Twins against the only team in the majors with a better record than Minnesota. The Twins lead the American League Central division by a half game over the Cleveland Indians. Their best pitcher, Brad Radke, will try for his eighth victory of the year tonight. LaVelle Neal covers the Twins for the Star Tribune. He's on the line now.