October 8, 2003 - Minnesota health professionals, hospital administrators and school personnel say they're ill prepared to handle a SARS outbreak. Many health experts predict that Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome is likely to resurface this year during the coming cold and flu season. More than eight thousand people have been infected with SARS worldwide in the last year. Though most of those infections occurred outside of the United States, analysts predict that a SARS outbreak could occur in the U.S. this winter. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports...
October 6, 2003 - Nonprofit social service providers throughout Minnesota say they're being forced to lay off workers, consider mergers and think about closing as a result of the recently passed state budget. Many non-profits say cuts in government grants along with the tough economy, and a decrease in corporate and individual giving are forcing them to cut back the services they provide. They argue that the cutbacks will hurt the state's most vulnerable residents. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports.
October 1, 2003 - Prosecutors have until noon today to charge Susan Berkovitz for shooting two people on Monday at the Hennepin County Government Center. Berkovitz was arrested after fatally shooting her cousin, Shelley Joseph-Kordell and wounding attorney, Richard Hendrickson. The three were involved in a legal dispute over the estate of Berkovitz's father. Several people who came into contact with Berkovitz before Monday's incident say she displayed erratic behavior and harassed neighbors. Others say she has a history of filing frivolous and unnecessary lawsuits. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports...
October 1, 2003 - According to the criminal complaint against Susan Berkovitz, she told authorities she bought the gun she allegedly used in the Hennepin County Government Center shootings at a gun show. There are several federal and state laws that regulate gun shows in Minnesota but some say the rules need to be strengthened. Others say the laws are adequate, but say law enforcement and health professionals need to do a better job of protecting the public. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports...
September 16, 2003 - Minnesota has nearly 200 sex offenders committed to secure treatment facilities because they're considered sexually dangerous. It's unclear whether any will ever get out. Their fate is caught in a tangle of law, politics and medicine. Since spring, several psychiatrists have quit the program, patients are threatening a lawsuit and staff at the two centers say morale is at an all time low. Through it all, top program managers have been considering options for moving some patients out of security hospitals. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports...
September 10, 2003 - The Minnesota Health Department is reporting the state's first death from the West Nile Virus. The department says the death occurred in northwest Minnesota. The mosquito-borne disease was first diagnosed in Minnesota in July of last year. Health officials say it's the peak period for reporting West Nile-related illnesses, so they expect more cases in the coming weeks. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports...
August 21, 2003 - Several attorneys who represent patients in the Minnesota Sexual Offender Program say they'll file a lawsuit against the state unless Governor Pawlenty lifts his executive order forbidding any offenders from leaving the program. Pawlenty issued the order in July after a report alleging the administration was considering putting several offenders in community based settings. Attorneys who represent some of the patients in the program say Pawlenty is undermining the constitutionality of the program. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports...
August 15, 2003 - Many fans and friends of Herb Brooks are gathering at the St. Paul Cathedral this evening to attend the wake for the Minnesota Hockey legend. Brooks died in a one car accident earlier this week. Brooks grew up in St. Paul and became famous after he coached the U.S. men's Olympic hockey team to a gold medal in the 1980 Olympics in Lake Placid. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports....
August 14, 2003 - Four members of the Bush Administration were in St. Paul today to urge Congress to pass a Medicare prescription drug package. Administration officials, including the U.S. Surgeon General and the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, are touring the nation to put pressure on the House and Senate to reconcile their differences. Critics say both bills are flawed and will do little to address the rising cost of prescription drugs. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports....
August 13, 2003 - Minnesota's new budget has been law for barely a month, too soon for nonprofits, local government officials and health care professionals to know its full impact. In May, led by Governor Tim Pawlenty and the Republican-controlled House, the Legislature passed a two year budget that erased a $4.2 billion deficit without raising taxes. Critics warned that approach would threaten Minnesota's high quality of life. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports the impact on the state's quality of life may not be known for some time.