Minnesota

August 26, 2008 -- The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

Staff Sgt. Brian E. Studer, 28, of Ramsey, Minnesota, died Aug. 22 in Ghazni, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when the improvised explosive device he was attempting to deactivate detonated.

He was assigned to the 720th Explosive Ordnance Disposal Company, 28th Transportation Battalion, 18th Military Police Brigade, Mannheim, Germany.

Source: DoD

Case serves as reminder of importance of vaccination to protect against measles

August 6, 2008 -- A case of measles has been confirmed in a 10-month-old child in Hennepin County, state health officials said today. Hennepin County Human Services and Public Health Department and the Minnesota Department of Health are collaborating in the investigation.

While the Minnesota Department of Health has had cases of measles reported to it as recently as 2007, they have been cases acquired in countries where measles is still common. This case was acquired in Minnesota, the first such case since 2001, said Ruth Lynfield, state epidemiologist at the Minnesota Department of Health. Public health professionals are investigating the source of the exposure for the case.    » read more »

Health department releases annual report of drinking water in Minnesota; Few problems detected in state’s community water supply systems

May 29, 2008 -- The vast majority of Minnesota’s 965 community water supply systems provided safe drinking water to their users each day throughout 2007 with few problems of contamination, according to a report by the Minnesota Department of Health.

Water droplet: Photo by gehat (CC)    » read more »

May 27, 2008 -- President Bush signs a Major Declaration for the state of Iowa (Butler County) for Individual Assistance, emergency protective measures, limited to Direct Federal Assistance, and Hazard Mitigation statewide within hours after receiving the Governor’s request for an expedited declaration. FEMA continues to monitor the severe storms and tornadoes across the nation and work with federal, state and local partners to identify needs and resources needed to respond to respond to them.

Region 7/Iowa:

* FEMA Liaison deployed to State EOC.
* Mobile Disaster Recovery Center (MDRC) deploying to Parkersburg, IA from Joplin, MO to provide a command and control platform for FEMA responders.    » read more »

Annual notice will provide information about flood insurance eligibility

May 12, 2008 -- Saint Paul – Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty signed legislation (S.F. 2980) today that requires insurance companies and agents to annually notify homeowners if their insurance policy does not include flood coverage.

Minnesota flooding: Photo by cjohnson7 (CC)

The required notice will also remind homeowners that they have the right to purchase flood insurance if they so choose.    » read more »

Offenders to work an estimated 35,000 hours this year

April 21, 2008 -- Saint Paul – Spring cleaning of Minnesota roadways gets underway today with the help of offender work crews and Adopt-a-Highway volunteers. Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty today announced the fourth annual “Operation Clean-Up” to pick up litter along the state’s highways from now through September.

Adopt-a-highway sign, Highway 63 south of Zumbro Falls, Minnesota: Photo by Alexei & Verne Stakhanov (CC)    » read more »

Biggest increase seen in young males

April 15, 2008 -- Reported new cases of HIV infection in Minnesota reached 325 in 2007 compared to 318 new cases in 2006 and 304 cases in 2005, according to a new report from the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH), “HIV/AIDS Surveillance Report – 2007.”

Since MDH began tracking AIDS in 1982 and HIV in 1985, a total of 8,504 cases have been reported, including 2,912 people that have died. There are an estimated 5,950 people aware of their HIV status currently living in Minnesota. On average, MDH received a new reported HIV case every 27 hours in 2007 and averaged about 300 new annual HIV infections over the past five years.    » read more »

Saint Paul – The following is a statement from Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty regarding the announced merger of Delta and Northwest.

“We will be closely scrutinizing the impact of the merger and will strongly stand up for Minnesota’s interests during the review process. Our goal will be to maintain hub operations, related levels of flight service, and the maximum number of airline jobs in Minnesota.

Northwest Airlines A330-300 at Minneapolis Airport: Photo by Mike Smail (CC)    » read more »

Includes Foreclosure Counseling Workshops, funding for mediation, lender compact

April 14, 2008 -- Saint Paul – To provide Minnesota homeowners with additional tools to prevent foreclosure, Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty today announced expanded foreclosure counseling workshops to be held around the state, creation of a compact with lenders to reduce foreclosures, and state funding for voluntary third-party mediation when counseling is unsuccessful.    » read more »

Minnesota has identified one possible case; other states have more cases

April 11, 2008 -- State health and agriculture officials are investigating whether there are any cases of illness in Minnesota that may be linked to recalled cereal from the Malt-O-Meal company after at least 21 cases of Salmonella agona have been identified in at least 13 states.

Salmonella bacteria

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) has identified one case of Salmonella agona in the state that matches the genetic fingerprint of the other states’ cases and the strain of Salmonella found in the cereal that was recalled April 5.    » read more »

April 11, 2008 -- The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Spc. Jacob J. Fairbanks, 22, of Saint Paul, Minnesota, died April 9 in Baghdad, Iraq, of injuries suffered in a non-combat related incident.

He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 320th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky.

The incident is under investigation.

Source: DOD

Illnesses, injuries occur each year that can be prevented with better practices

April 9, 2008 -- While the vast majority of swimming pools in the state are operated safely, the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) each year investigates a number of incidents involving pools where the public’s health and safety were put at risk.

A swimming woman: Photo by Gabriel (CC)

In the last nine months there have been nine reported serious incidents at Minnesota swimming pools or water parks, where people became ill, were injured or died.    » read more »

April 2, 2008 -- Saint Paul – Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty announced today that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has allocated $2.7 million in emergency funding to fight bovine tuberculosis (TB) in Minnesota.

Following his visit to northwestern Minnesota last month, Governor Pawlenty asked U.S Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer to expedite federal efforts to cull infected cattle and to allocate additional resources for the fight against bovine TB.

Cows in cattle barn at Minnesota State Fair: Photo by Matthew Logelin (CC)    » read more »

Senior citizens and veterans who don’t normally file need to do so to receive payments

April 1, 2008 -- Saint Paul – With the federal tax deadline two weeks away, Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty today encouraged all eligible Minnesotans to file a federal tax return to ensure they will receive a stimulus check later this year.

While most Minnesotans file every year, those who do not, such as senior citizens receiving Social Security payments or veterans receiving Veterans Administration benefits, must do so this year in order to be eligible under the stimulus plan. To be eligible individuals must have at least $3,000 in qualifying income in 2007.    » read more »

Federal money will be used to expand current foreclosure prevention counseling; Marquette Financial Companies adds $500,000 grant

April 1, 2008 -- Saint Paul – With more Minnesota homeowners potentially facing foreclosure this year, Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty today announced that foreclosure prevention counseling in the state will be greatly expanded through a $4.3 million federal grant, the second-largest such grant made to any state. In addition, Marquette Financial Companies is providing the state a $500,000 grant for foreclosure prevention deferred loans.    » read more »