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 - 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.
August 6, 2007 - The wife of construction worker Greg Jolstad says she presumes her husband did not survive the fall of the Interstate 35W Bridge because she has not heard from him since the bridge collapsed last Wednesday. Lisa Jolstad says her husband was a homebody who loved gardening, sports and simple pleasures like grilling in the backyard with his family. Lisa Jolstad visited the Mississippi River accident site Saturday along with other victims' families. She says the visit helped her cope with the frustration of waiting for divers to recover his body. Minnesota Public Radio's Lorna Benson reports.
August 3, 2007 - Minneapolis's interstate bridge collapse has caught the attention of the world. Federal officials flew to the state yesterday (Thursday) to pledge financial and technical support for the recovery effort. Members of the news media from far and wide also flocked to the accident site. And over the next 24 hours, both President Bush and his wife Laura will make separate visits to the city.In stark contrast to all of the attention is the recovery effort itself. Very little progress has been made so far. The number of confirmed dead remains unchanged at four, with 20 to 30 people still reported missing. As Minnesota Public Radio's Lorna Benson reports, it's an indication of the enormous challenges facing the recovery workers.{