MADISON, Wis. – State Senator Janis Ringhand (D-Evansville) and Representative Sondy Pope (D-Cross Plains) have introduced the Family Medical Leave Insurance Act (FMLIA). This Act creates a Family Medical Leave Insurance program which is completely paid for by employees. Under the program, a participating employee is eligible to receive a percentage of their pay during a time when they take…
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – Minnesota Republicans are preparing to plow more than $300 million into a new state program meant to reduce health insurance premiums next year. Minnesota has grappled with some of the largest rate increases in the nation. Premiums jumped by as much as 67 percent for shoppers buying insurance on their own this year, leading lawmakers…
ROCHESTER, Minn. (AP) – Mayo Clinic is kicking off a five-year, $217 million expansion of its Saint Marys Hospital campus in Rochester. Mayo officials announced the plan last week. The proposal includes adding three floors to the Generose Building, moving and upgrading the cardiac surgery facilities and expanding the Neonatal Intensive Care and Pediatric Intensive Care units. The Post-Bulletin reports…
MADISON, Wis. (AP) – Madison School District officials say drinking fountains at six schools have leads levels higher than the national standard. District facilities manager Chad Wiese tells the Wisconsin State Journal the district tested drinking fountains at East High School, Blackhawk, and Sherman Middle schools, and Gompers, Lapham, and Lowell Elementary schools. All of the schools had at least…
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – Minnesota Republicans are preparing to plow more than $300 million into a new state program meant to reduce health insurance premiums next year. Minnesota has grappled with some of the largest rate increases in the nation. Premiums jumped by as much as 67-percent for shoppers buying insurance on their own this year, leading lawmakers to…
DULUTH, Minn. – It’s been an unseasonably cold Mid-March day across the Northland and it’s likely the last cold snap of the season. A Wind Chill Advisory was in effect earlier this morning until 9am, feel like temperatures dropped down to -30° below zero. This frigid Friday didn’t stop some Northlanders from their daily routine though. “I like the weather…
DULUTH, Minn. – Every year millions of people die prematurely due to complications from kidney diseases. Today is World Kidney Day. The health awareness campaign helps raise awareness on kidney disease and what people should be aware of as they age. This year’s theme focuses on the relation between kidney disease and obesity. Duluth Kidney Services provide care to those…
EDINA, Minn. (AP) – Edina soon could become the first city in Minnesota to require buyers of tobacco to be 21 rather than 18. The Star Tribune reports the City Council this week voted to draft an ordinance and schedule a public hearing on the proposal, which is intended to curb youth tobacco use. Dr. Caleb Schultz of the city’s…
DULUTH, Minn. – This week, March 5-11, marks MS Awareness Week. Multiple Sclerosis happens when a body’s immune system attacks the central nervous system. This can cause many symptoms including fatigue, walking difficulties, vision problems, dizziness, pain, and cognitive changes. The National MS Society works to improve the quality of life for people affected by MS. They do this by…
MINNEAPOLIS (KMSP) – Children’s Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota announced Monday it is ending its contract with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota effective on July 5, unless a new contract agreement is reached. Children’s says Blue Cross is demanding a double-digit reduction in payments to the hospitals to provide care for patients insured through Medicaid. “The reductions to…
ST. PAUL, Minn. – A new report released Thursday, highlights the impacts of opioids on Minnesota Tribal communities across the state. The report is a summary of the Tribal-State Opioid Summit that took place last fall with Gov. Mark Dayton, Lt. Gov. Tina Smith, and Minnesota’s 11 tribal nations, as an effort to develop strategies for prevention, treatment, and recovery….
GRAND RAPIDS, Minn. – A Lake Country Power lineman is in stable condition after he made electrical contact yesterday around 5:30 p.m. The incident happened while crews were working in the Grand Rapids area to restore power. More than 4,800 Lake Country Power members were without power, as winds were gusting upwards of 60 mph. Upon contact, John Devries’ partner…
DULUTH, Minn. – Two-thirds of home fire deaths result from fires in homes without a working smoke alarm, according to the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA). Duluth IAFF Local 101 firefighters are reminding homeowners to not just change the clocks for Daylight Saving Time, but also the batteries in all smoke detectors. “Saving your life can be as simple as…
MADISON, Wis. (AP) – Democrats in the state Legislature want to legalize assisted suicide for terminally ill people in Wisconsin. Three lawmakers on Wednesday introduced a bill to allow someone suffering from a terminal illness to end their life if they have gotten approval from a doctor and meet other requirements. A similar proposal introduced last session failed to pass…
DULUTH, Minn. – Local heroes will soon be battling on the ice for a good cause. The Duluth Police Department and Duluth Fire Department are preparing for a hockey game for a good cause. Proceeds from the hockey game will go to The Northern Lights Foundation. The foundation provides grants to Northland families with children battling life-threatening illnesses. These grants can…
MADISON, Wis. (AP) – The Wisconsin Legislature has passed a bill long sought by parents of children who suffer from seizures. The state Assembly voted 98-0 Tuesday to legalize possession of CBD oil, a marijuana extract used to treat seizures. The oil does not produce a high. The Legislature passed a similar bill in 2014, but it restricted access to…
ST. PAUL, Minn. – Over the weekend, the first fatal motorcycle crash of the season occurred in Redwood County. The Redwood County Sheriff’s Office says the crash happened Sunday around 6 p.m.on the 400 block of Central Street in Sanborn. A 60-year-old man was negotiating a curve when he crashed into the ditch. The rider was not wearing a helmet,…
ROCHESTER, Minn. (AP) Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton will spend one more day at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester after undergoing surgery for prostate cancer. Dayton is expected to return to the governor’s residence Sunday. Spokesman Linden Zakula says Saturday that the governor’s surgery was a success and the surgeon found no sign the cancer had spread beyond the prostate. Dayton…
DULUTH, Minn. – Representative Rick Nolan was back in Duluth today. This time, talking health care. The congressman and medical professionals were part of a panel discussion sponsored by the United Way. Nolan said, while republicans want to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act, there’s no answer to how they plan to do it. “ In a way, they’re…
DULUTH, Minn. – Since 1943, every United States President has proclaimed the month of March to be Red Cross Month. To help kick off the month of recognition, the Northern Minnesota Chapter of the Red Cross is partnering with Castle Danger Brewing to host the first Red Cross blood drive in Two Harbors. The drive started Thursday at noon, giving…
MADISON, Wis. (AP) – Republican lawmakers want to prohibit University of Wisconsin employees from performing abortions or providing services at facilities where abortions are performed other than hospitals. Representative André Jacque and Senator Chris Kapenga are circulating a bill targeting an arrangement between Planned Parenthood and the University of Wisconsin in which faculty members work part-time at the organization’s Madison…
A father of two hopes to spend more time with his children with the help of a special wheelchair.
MADISON, Wis. (AP) – A state Senate committee has overwhelmingly approved bills that would grant people who overdose on opioids legal immunity and lay out money for more state drug agents. The first measure would ensure heroin users who overdose would be immune from prosecution for drug possession and ensure their probation, parole, or extended supervision could be revoked for…
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Minnesota officials are bracing for billions of dollars in additional health care expenses if congressional Republicans enact a plan they’re discussing to replace the Affordable Care Act, according to a draft document obtained by The Associated Press. The planning document shows that the GOP proposal, a draft of which was circulated last week, would cut…
ST. PAUL, Minn.- Gov. Mark Dayton is undergoing surgery Thursday to treat a recent prostate cancer diagnosis. Dayton revealed his diagnosis just a day after he collapsed during his State of the State address last month. His doctors at Mayo Clinic in Rochester have said the cancer was caught early and is treatable. The Democratic governor is scheduled for surgery…
DULUTH, Minn. – When it comes to texting terms such as “LOL” or “BRB” it’s no secret millennials have no problem understanding what’s being conveyed. However, a new study released by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota is showing stunning statistics. The study show while nearly 80 percent of Minnesotans think managing their health is an important topic, far…
DULUTH, Minn. – The DECC’s Harborside Ballroom was decked in red Wednesday as the Duluth chapter of the American Heart Association held its annual Go Red Luncheon. The American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women campaign started in 2004 and the Duluth chapter celebrates every year with their Go Red luncheon. Heart disease is the number one killer Of women…
ROCHESTER, Minn. (AP) -Rochester school officials say 71 students were barred from classes Wednesday because they haven’t been immunized or gotten exemptions. The district said in a statement that 71 of its nearly 18,000 students failed to submit the required immunization documentation or paperwork to get an exemption by Wednesday’s deadline. It says those who reported to school weren’t allowed…
DULUTH, Minn. – If you’re looking for a good deal on jewelry or some fashion accessories, then St. Luke’s is where you need to go. Your sales will help patients. St. Luke’s volunteer service guild is currently hosting a fundraiser in the hospital’s lobby. You can find all kinds of fashion trends like purses, scarves, earrings, and necklaces. It’s for…
SUPERIOR – Drug addiction is on the rise in Superior and throughout Douglas County and a group of local advocates is hoping to spread awareness on the effects it’s having in the area. The Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse (AODA) Community Coalition of Douglas County hosted an event this evening to inform residents about the increase in drug use and…
ST. PAUL, Minn. (KMSP-FOX 9) – Forwards Zach Parise and Jason Pominville have been diagnosed with mumps. The Minnesota Wild made the announcement just 30 minutes before the team is set to face off against Los Angeles Kings at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul. The wild have just come off a scheduled week off. The team has three…
DULUTH, Minn. – St. Luke’s Patient Experience Team unveils the C.A.R.E. Channel®, which offers continuous relaxation imagery and music. This channel is available on televisions in all patient rooms. The C.A.R.E. Channel® is produced by Healing Healthcare Systems, which uses evidence-based research to assure the channel’s benefit for patients in the hospital. The 24-hour format at St. Luke’s aims to…
DETROIT (AP) – Lyme disease cases have spiked in Michigan due to the spread of blacklegged ticks in the state. The Detroit Free Press reports that the ticks often carry the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi with them. The bacteria can transfer when they bite a human or animal and can cause Lyme disease, a serious infection that can be permanently debilitating…
ROCHESTER, Minn. (AP) – The Rochester School District might remove more than 200 students from school next week if they fail to meet immunization requirements. School officials say they have been working since January to notify families that students must be vaccinated to attend school or provide documents exempting them from the state law that requires them to be immunized….
GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) – Wisconsin is seeing another jump in flu cases with five times the amount of confirmed cases compared to this time last year. WLUK reports that as of last week, the state had nearly 940 confirmed flu cases, compared to nearly 180 during the same period last year. Prevea Health Centers have treated nearly 330 flu…
DULUTH, Minn. – St. Luke’s worked to help all–important care givers make their jobs easier and more effective. Usually the care giver is a family member or close friend who chooses to take care of someone with a life altering illness with little or no pay. St. Luke’s Regional Cancer Center held a lecture tonight, providing care givers important tools…
DULUTH, Minn. – It’s an email that Duluth Mayor Emily Larson was quoted as saying was “Shady to begin with,” and Community Action Duluth said was “unprecedented.” A big tobacco company has reportedly been looking to schedule a focus group about “America’s dwindling middle class.” And at a press conference earlier this morning, representatives with the American Lung Association and…
ST. PAUL (AP) – Minnesota hospitals and surgical centers have reported that nearly 340 medical errors risked patient safety last year, but medical mistakes resulting in patient death declined. Minnesota Public Radio reports that the state Department of Health’s annual adverse health events report found four deaths caused by a preventable error. One was due to a medication mistake and…
DULUTH, Minn. – Momentum is building as community members gather to talk about and potentially come up with a plan to rid away from using plastic bags and Styrofoam to–go containers. The event Thursday that was hosted by “Bag–It Duluth.” The group is hoping to raise the level of concern involving plastic and our surrounding water supply. Researchers and city…
Polar Bear Plunge Preps
DULUTH, Minn. – Emergency responders from across the Northland participated in a joint training workshop in Duluth today. The workshop focused on emergency groups, such as the Red Cross and local public health and emergency managers, gaining a better understanding of Family Assistance Centers and how groups can work together to use them in crisis situations. “People in Northeastern Minnesota…
NEW YORK (AP) – New calculations to better track HIV infections confirm that the United States is seeing a strong and steady decline. The number of new cases has been falling for years, but health officials wanted a clearer picture of how the epidemic was behaving. They had been counting people when they were diagnosed with the AIDS virus, not…
DULUTH, Minn. – Handmade cards full of color and love are now decorating the Caring Ways Cancer Resource Center of Essentia Health in Duluth. The Duluth KidsClub started two years ago, when Founder Brandi Worthing wanted to create a social hub for parents to connect with events happening in the community. Over the weekend, the Pottery Burn Studio and Duluth KidsClub…
ST. PAUL (AP) – Minnesota and Wisconsin are teaming up to tackle prescription painkiller abuse. The attorneys general from both states met at the Minnesota Capitol Monday to discuss their “Dose of Reality” campaign. Minnesota Attorney General Lori Swanson says prescription opioid deaths now outpace heroin overdoses nationwide. Their campaign includes a startling public service announcement featuring a mother who…
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – Record-breaking signups in the state’s health insurance exchange belies a startling trend: Fewer Minnesota residents are buying coverage on their own. Nearly 270,000 residents bought insurance last year on the individual market, where shoppers who aren’t covered by employers or public programs get insurance. As Minnesota’s open enrollment closed this week, it fell to 190,000….
MADISON (AP) – A new report says the rate of heroin overdose deaths grew more than 800 percent in Wisconsin over the last decade. Findings the Department of Health Services released Friday show the rate of overdose deaths involving heroin grew 880 percent between 2006 and 2015, from 0.5 deaths per 100,000 residents to 4.9 deaths per 100,000. The rate…
ST. PAUL (AP) – Minnesota has recorded its first child death due to influenza this season. The state Department of Health said Thursday one child death related to influenza has been reported since the start of the flu season. Influenza is considered widespread in Minnesota, according to a weekly update. The Health Department says 156 people were hospitalized with flu…
(Photo courtesy Country Arch Care Center)FLEMINGTON, N.J. (AP) – A New Jersey woman who was the oldest American person has died at age 114. Martin Funeral Home says Adele Dunlap died Sunday at a hospital near Flemington. Dunlap had no explanation for her longevity. Asked last year how it felt to be the oldest American, she said she didn’t feel…
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP)-Rising health insurance premiums and Minnesota’s novel financial help program have driven record enrollment in private health plans. Officials at the state’s exchange announced Thursday it had signed up more than 117,500 residents during 2017’s open enrollment period. That’s up by more than a third from last year. The spike in insurance signups comes amid uncertainty at…
