Minnesota plays a unique role in the arena of health, with impactful political/cultural moments, and important contributions from institutions such as Mayo Clinic, Hazelden, UCare, among others. Over the decades, MPR News and American RadioWorks have produced a breadth of reports and programming specifically dedicated to the subject of health. This collection includes interviews, debates, speeches, and documentaries that provide greater detail to the many facets of healthcare, from both a local and national perspective.
September 1, 1998 - State Fair veterinarian Dr. Mike Byoorklin works the barns at the fairgrounds, treating sick or injured animals.
September 9, 1998 - The five gubernatorial candidates running in the D-F-L primary debated the issues on the Minnesota News Network last night. They weren't allowed to mention Republican candidate Norm Coleman, so they criticized frontrunner Skip Humphrey on his tax cut plan, abortion and stadium funding. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports... The five agree on many issues - they support tax cuts, more spending on education and health care, and the need to end Northwest Airlines' dominance in Minnesota. They oppose using taxpayer dollars for a new Twins stadium. But in a competitive five-way race, they need to distinguish themselves from their primary opponents without bloodying each other an
September 11, 1998 - With just days remaining until next Tuesday's primary, the gubernatorial candidate who's leading in the polls isn't letting up. DFL'er Skip Humphrey knows he can't count on poll numbers to win a five-way race, and has spent the past few weeks wooing potential voters at senior centers, labor picnics and the State Fair. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports.
September 14, 1998 - Gubernatorial candidates are thick on the ground and in the air today.... the last day of campaigning before the primary. We caught up with the major party candiates as to hear their last minute messages.
September 16, 1998 - The election primary for the State's top lawyer--Attorney General now sets the stage for a November race between a former commerce commissioner who wants to investigate the health insurance industry and an Anoka State representative who wants to fight juvenile crime. Both winners have different plans for the office that's largely fought consumer fraud under Skip Humphrey's direction for the past 16 years. Minnesota public radio's Elizabeth Stawicki reports.
September 21, 1998 - There is still no official cause of death for gold medal sprinter Florence Griffith Joyner. Although she did have a history of as yet unexplained heart problems. Her death, while surprising, is possibly part of a sad reality for many African Americans. Cardiovascular disease is a serious problem among blacks. Fifty percent will die from heart disease complications or stroke. Rates of high blood pressure among African Americans are also 50-percent higher than many other ethnic groups. CEO of the Association of Black Cardiologists, Waine Kong, says while researchers still do not understand the full reason why African Americans have higher rates of heart disease, they do know that cutting back on high fat foods and smoking helps reduce deaths. Kong says for now, prevention is the best medicine doctors can offer: | D-CART ITEM: 0525
September 21, 1998 - Pollution that that has killed tens of thousands of fish in a southern Minnesota creek is spreading slowly downstream toward the Minnesota River. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency is investigating to see if a pipe leak reported September 14th by a vegetable processor in Montgomery is the main cause of the fish kill. Minnesota Public Radio's Mary Losure reports. Around 15 miles of Sand Creek-- a tributary that flows north to the Minnesota River--are now contaminated. What DNR officials describe as a "black slug" water has moved downstream from Montgomery and is now a few m
October 12, 1998 - [USE THIS VERSION: Please note anchor tag] It's been ten months since welfare reform went into effect across Minnesota. This week Minnesota Public Radio is examining the impact of the changes, and what their long-term effects are likely to be. Today we start with the basics.... how does it work? The heart of welfare reform in Minnesota is something known as MFIP, (M-FIP) the Minnesota Family Investment Program. The state of Minnesota calls MFIP tough but fair welfare reform. Critics say its a short term solution that forces people into dead end jobs and leaves them in poverty. Minnesota Public Radios Dan Gunderson Reports ...
November 9, 1998 - ** NOTE: Anchor outcue ** For the last two weeks, feedlots have been the topic of conversation in many Minnesota communities. A series of public comment meetings are generating material for a comprehensive study on animal agriculture. One issue guaranteed to get attention is odor from animal feedlots; however, the focus of the discussion is shifting. A recent courtcase in Pope County has drawn attention to the "cumulative impact" of feedlot odors...one issue which may be the next big hurdle in the state's approach to feedlot regulation. Mainstreet Radio's Gretchen Lehmann reports. ANCHOR OUTCUE: The final public comment meeting on large-scal
November 10, 1998 - At a time when most cities can boast of a decade or more of prosperity and job growth, Rochester Minnesota is particularly fortunate. The city's economic growth consistantly outpaces the rest of the state. The city's humming economy and family-friendly environment has put it in Money Magazine's top three places to live in the nation for the past six years. The cornerstone of success is the expansive Mayo Clinic which employs nearly a quarter of Rochester's population. But much of the recent growth has been fueled by a network of technology development and manufacturing firms. Minnesota Public Radio's Art Hughes reports that cut-backs by one of the city's largest empoloyers spurred city and business leaders to cultivate a stronger economic foundation. The shock of downsizing hit Rochester hard five years ago when IBM---the city's second largest employer--layed off some two-thousand people.