June 19, 2009 - Congressional Democrats stumbled out of the starting blocks unveiling their healthcare reform bills today. They're struggling to find ways to pay for insuring the nation's uninsured. The House bill would create a federal plan to compete with private insurers. The Senate's proposal would create non-profit insurance co-ops that provide coverage. But, an advocacy group representing 14-thousand doctors says a "single payer" health insurance program would cover every American without adding costs.
May 18, 2009 - Minnesota's safety net hospitals are sifting through their options after Governor Pawlenty eliminated public insurance coverage for up to 35,000 of the state's poorest adults to balance the budget. The cuts don't take effect until the middle of 2010. But hospitals say they will have to start making some tough decisions now to make up for the expected *reductions*. Minnesota Public Radio's Lorna Benson reports. {
March 12, 2009 - MPR’s Lorna Benson reports on Minnesota's sudden infant deaths, and how investigators are now learning that unsafe sleeping arrangements are fairly common with these deaths.
August 14, 2007 - Five MnDOT bridge inspection crews have been dispatched this week to examine so-called "fracture critical" bridges around Minnesota. "Fracture critical" bridges are a special concern because the bridges can collapse unexpectedly if they develop a serious fracture. Statewide Bridge Inspection Program Manager Duane Hill says MnDOT inspectors will examine all state highway bridges that are longer than 20 feet by the end of the year. But he says special priority is being given now to certain bridges that carry a lot of weight and have a lot of traffic.
August 14, 2007 - The preliminary design for the new Interstate 35W bridge over the Mississippi River will be unveiled tomorrow. The Minnesota Department of Transportation isn't revealing much about the new design other than to confirm that the bridge will have ten lanes. The public will get a chance to comment on the design at a meeting in Roseville Thursday. But MnDOT Communications Director Lucy Kender acknowledges that the public may not have much say in the final plan. She says federal emergency funds limit the design choices.
August 13, 2007 - Five MnDOT bridge inspection crews have been dispatched this week to examine so-called "fracture critical" bridges around Minnesota. "Fracture critical" bridges are a special concern because the bridges can collapse unexpectedly if they develop a serious fracture. Statewide Bridge Inspection Program Manager Duane Hill says MnDOT inspectors will examine all state highway bridges that are longer than 20-feet by the end of the year. But he says special priority is being given now to certain bridges that carry a lot of weight and have a lot of traffic.
August 13, 2007 - The preliminary design for the new Interstate 35W bridge over the Mississippi River will be unveiled Tuesday. The Minnesota Department of Transportation isn't revealing much about the new design other than to confirm that the bridge will have ten lanes. The public will get a chance to comment on the design at a meeting in Roseville Thursday. But MnDOT Communications Director Lucy Kender acknowledges that the public may not have much say in the final plan. She says federal emergency funds limit the design choices.
August 13, 2007 - The Minnesota Department of Transportation is inviting the public to comment on plans for rebuilding the Interstate 35W bridge over the Mississippi. But the Department acknowledges that the public may not have much say in the design. MnDOT Communications Director Lucy Kender says federal emergency funds for the bridge limit design choices. For example options like light rail and bicycle lanes don't qualify for the federal funding. Kender says the restrictions are intended to foster a fast rebuilding plan.
August 8, 2007 - A week after the I-35W bridge collapsed, Midday marks the occasion with a special one-hour broadcast featuring the latest on the investigation and the stories of the survivors. MPR’s Lorna Benson provides a remembrance of the 13 victims…Sherry Engebretsen; Artemio Trinidad-Mena; Julia Blackhawk; Patrick Holmes; Peter Hausmann; Paul Eickstadt; Greg Jolstad; Scott Sathers; Christina Sacorafas; Sadiya Sahal and two-year-old daughter Hannah; Vera Peck and her 20-year-old son Richard Chit.
August 8, 2007 - Remarkably most of the people who were on the 35W bridge last Wednesday evening survived the collapse. But at least five people didn't and eight others are still listed as missing. Over this past week Minnesota Public Radio has had a chance to talk with many of the victim's relatives, friends and colleagues. They shared deeply personal memories about the people they lost, some that made them laugh and some that made them fight back tears. Minnesota Public Radio's Lorna Benson compiled a few of these reflections and has this remembrance.