2020: Via UCare, VERBATIM: “UCare’s PMAP Medicaid program will serve individuals and families in a total of 41 counties in 2020, with the addition of Morrison, Todd and Wadena counties. These counties exited the South Country Health Alliance (SCHA) plan for 2020. As a result, the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) invited UCare to enter the 3 counties as a health plan option for individuals losing their SCHA plan. UCare is one of two plans available to approximately 11,900 former SCHA members.” READ: http://bit.ly/35jsXg6 (SPONSORED: UCare)
SIGNUP: Now signing up for Fluence tip sheets is easy and can be found at one site, www.fluence-newsletters.com - VISIT: http://bit.ly/2019FluenceTipSheets
RADON: Via Minnesota Department of Health, VERBATIM: “New data from the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) indicate that people in neighborhoods with the lowest incomes and more renters may be less able to protect themselves from radon, an invisible, odorless gas that can cause lung cancer. In response, MDH experts hope to use the same data set to determine what outreach and promotional strategies may work best to address those areas most in need. Radon is the second-leading cause of lung cancer in Minnesota, and health officials have long recommended that all homes in Minnesota be tested for radon . . . In neighborhoods across the seven-county Twin Cities metro area, mitigation rates ranged from zero mitigations to 63 mitigations per 10,000 homes. Mitigation rates were highest in the western and southern suburbs of the metro and lowest in the urban core and northern suburbs. Similarly, radon testing rates were highest in the western suburbs and lowest in the urban core. Statewide, south and southeastern Minnesota had higher testing rates than northern Minnesota, and more mitigations took place in the metro area and southern Minnesota than in other parts of the state.” READ: http://bit.ly/2QwzArf
MORE: Via Minnesota Department of Health, an interactive map showing radon testing rates. MAP: http://bit.ly/35uqPCk
FLU: From Elizabeth Cohen and John Bonifield via CNN, VERBATIM: “This flu season is shaping up to be one of the worst in decades, according to the United States' top infectious disease doctor. Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said while it's impossible to predict how the flu will play out, the season so far is on track to be as severe as the 2017-2018 flu season, which was the deadliest in more than four decades, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention . . . So far this flu season, at least 2,900 people in the US are estimated to have died of the flu, according to data released Friday by the CDC. That's 800 more deaths than estimated the previous week. Flu cases and hospitalizations because of the flu have also risen sharply since the season began in October. CDC estimates there have been at least 6.4 million flu illnesses and 55,000 hospitalizations.” READ: https://cnn.it/2Fp2SBH
MINNESOTA: In the week ending December 28th, the Minnesota Department of Health reports 117 flu-related hospitalizations, up from 114 the previous week and the highest so far this season. There have been eight flu-related deaths. (Updated numbers will be in health take Thursday.) SEE: http://bit.ly/35nzk1W
MORE: Via Minnesota Department of Health, information about how to get vaccinated. READ: http://bit.ly/2QQkFqS
HOSPITALS: From Sy Mukherjee via Fortune, VERBATIM: “Hospitals have claimed that widespread consolidation in the industry benefits both the quality of patient care and makes a dent in health care costs, but a new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) throws cold water on that assertion. Researchers found that hospital mergers may be associated with slightly worse care quality, and noted this deterioration has happened as other studies show that overall hospital costs have risen. The researchers from Harvard's business and medical schools, as well as experts from Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and the Brigham and Women’s Hospital, used medical claims data to assess factors such as patient satisfaction, readmissions to a hospital, and mortality rates in order to analyze the effects of hospital mergers between 2009 and 2013 on broader public health. ‘Hospital acquisition by another hospital or hospital system was associated with modestly worse patient experiences and no significant changes in readmission or mortality rates,’ the study concluded.” READ: http://bit.ly/3013C9x
LEGISLATION: From Adam Cancryn and Alice Miranda via Politico, VERBATIM: “Republicans and Democrats have a narrow opening to cut big deals on drug pricing and surprise medical bills and address two key concerns of voters — just in time for 2020 electoral politics to drive them apart. Congressional leaders are feeling renewed urgency to do something about the high-profile issues, but they fear impeachment and escalating tensions with Iran could swamp the legislative agenda. And on drug pricing, both sides are reluctant to let the other claim victory on a pocketbook issue that recent polling shows ranks high among voter concerns. The efforts to deliver on these priorities are also colliding with the broader partisan battle over health care that could hold the key to the presidency . . . The first test is likely to come within weeks, when a bipartisan group of House members will meet to try to break a lengthy impasse and finalize plans for protecting patients from being charged thousands of dollars if they get out-of-network care. The effort enjoys widespread support but stalled last year amid fierce battles between insurers, employers and well-funded providers over who would pay for a fix.” READ: https://politi.co/2SZu7uv
DRUGPRICES: From Erik Wasson via Bloomberg, VERBATIM: “In an election year when nobody expects Congress to pass meaningful legislation, lawmakers are feeling strong political pressure to reach a deal on at least one main voter priority: lowering drug prices. The most likely result could be a small deal that caps out-of-pocket costs for Medicare beneficiaries but leaves more contentious questions of market intervention until after the election.” READ: https://bloom.bg/35yr3Z8
HOUSLEY: Another Beers with Blois, Sen. Karin Housley talks about liquor laws, elder care reform, the decision not to run for the U.S. Senate, and hockey over a beer and a local seltzer from Lift Bridge Brewery in Stillwater. LISTEN: http://bit.ly/323bneK (SPONSORED: MN Corn Growers and North Central Carpenters Union)
MEDMAR: From Minneapolis-based Vireo Health via PRNewswire, VERBATIM: “Vireo Health International, Inc., a leading physician-led, science-focused multi-state cannabis company, today announced the launch of LiteBud, a patent-pending line of consistently formulated, lower-Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) cannabis products that are designed to meet the needs of cannabis consumers seeking a more consistent, controlled and mild experience. Research studies conducted at the University of Mississippi found that the THC potency of cannabis plant material has more than quadrupled over the past generation. In 1995, the average THC potency was approximately 4%, increasing to 8.9% in 2008, and then again to 17.1% in 2017. Today, most flower available in medical and adult-use markets is cultivated to maximize potency and sophisticated techniques often yield THC levels that exceed 25%, in contrast to LiteBud products which contain lower THC levels, ranging from 4 to 10%.” READ: https://prn.to/2SYahQt
ACA: From Dylan Scott via Vox, VERBATIM: “We’ve gotten through one year of Obamacare without the individual mandate and the results are clear: the insurance market did not collapse. Insurers are doing just fine, according to new data from the Kaiser Family Foundation. The margins they’re seeing per individual customer (the difference between the premiums they’re paid and the medical claims they pay out) look as healthy as they have in years. Despite fears the lack of the mandate would drive healthier people out of the market, there is little evidence that’s actually happened. Instead, the individual market continues to go through a soft attrition: Premiums continue to increase, but only slightly, and enrollment is shrinking, again slightly. It’s not a death spiral, but the market is slowly being winnowed to a core customer base: People who get federal assistance to cover their premiums, and unsubsidized customers who don’t receive that help but need good health insurance.” READ: http://bit.ly/37L6Twt
CRISPR: From Hannah Kuchler via Financial Times, VERBATIM: “The first humans will have Crispr deployed like a drug inside their bodies this year, as companies embark on a new stage of the gene-editing revolution that could lead to many more diseases being treated, or even cured, with the technology. Discovered in 2012, Crispr-Cas9, often shortened to Crispr, allows scientists to make precise changes to DNA at specific points and could transform treatment of genetic diseases. Last year, the first trial used Crispr to edit blood cells that were taken out of and then returned to a body. But this year, it will be injected into the bodies of patients to conduct the edit live, opening the way for the edits of genes in many more kinds of cells.” READ: https://on.ft.com/2SWAor0
APRIL29: Via Medical Alley, details of the organization’s annual dinner featuring Michael Phelps and Patrick Kennedy. READ: http://bit.ly/2N0JpeQ
60: From Susan Perry via MinnPost, VERBATIM: “The feeling that life has meaning tends to become stronger as we grow older, reaching a peak around age 60, according to a study published recently in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry. The study also found that when people feel — at any age — that their life has meaning, they tend to be healthier, both mentally and physically. Older people (those over age 60) who say their life has meaning also tend to have stronger cognitive skills. On the other hand, when people are still searching for meaning in life, their psychological health — and their cognitive skills if they are over age 60 — tend to be poorer, the study reports.” READ: http://bit.ly/2T2lMGG
OPIOIDS: Via Minnesota Department of Human Services, VERBATIM: “As Minnesota health care providers begin to receive updated opioid prescribing reports in the coming days, data from the Department of Human Services shows that prescribing practices are becoming safer, with providers writing fewer prescriptions for opioids and for lower doses when they do prescribe the drugs for pain management. Almost 16,000 providers serving patients in the Medical Assistance and MinnesotaCare programs will receive individualized reports that compare their opioid prescribing practices to those of anonymous peers and recommended thresholds. Trends tracked by DHS are encouraging, with the number of prescriptions over recommended doses falling in the past several years. The most dramatic decrease occurred in the number of patients simultaneously prescribed chronic opioid therapy and benzodiazepines, a potentially lethal combination. In 2016, 2,541 public health care program enrollees had prescriptions for both drugs at the same time. That number dropped 57% to 1,091 enrollees in a one-year period ending in September.” READ: http://bit.ly/36vyfGz
FIRES: From Emily Haavik via KARE-TV, VERBATIM: “Fire deaths in Minnesota went up by 14% from 2018 to 2019, according to the Department of Public Safety. The preliminary numbers show that 42 people died in fires last year across the state, compared with 37 people in 2018. Smoking is the leading cause of fatal fires in the state. At least seven people died from smoking-related fires last year, but that number could rise as more fire causes are determined by investigators.” READ: http://bit.ly/36wYhcJ
MENTALHEALTH: From Tom Cherveny via West Central Tribune, VERBATIM: “Rural hospitals in western Minnesota are looking at whether they can provide more immediate mental health care services closer to home, while also improving the continuum of care for patients. Representatives from health care systems in Lac qui Parle, Swift, Chippewa, Yellow Medicine and Big Stone counties discussed the challenges they face at a meeting hosted in November by the Lac qui Parle Health Network. Chief among the concerns is the difficulties the hospitals experience when attempting to place patients from their emergency care to mental health facilities, according to Lori Andreas, CEO, Appleton Area Health Services. Andreas said the hospitals are spending a lot of time calling and searching for facilities to accept patients. Often, the patients do not meet the criteria for acceptance at various facilities. Other times, there just aren’t beds available within a reasonable driving distance.” READ: http://bit.ly/37Ex8Ve
GREATERMN: From Farmfest, the second Fluence Forum includes 9 commissioners from multiple state agencies discussing the intersection between agriculture and issues related to Greater Minnesota. The discussion will be broadcast at 6PM on Wednesday on WCCO Radio. This Fluence Forum is sponsored by Minnesota’s Corn Growers. LISTEN: http://bit.ly/FluenceForum2 (SPONSORED: MN Corn Growers)
VAPING: From Tawnell D. Hobbs via The Wall Street Journal, VERBATIM: “School districts have rolled out various measures to address vaping; some have worked and some haven’t. District officials cite local and national statistics as a reason to keep trying. Some districts are using vape detectors in restrooms and randomly testing students for nicotine; others have tried banning the use of bathroom breaks during class periods or removing stall doors. Others offer giveaways to encourage students to surrender their vapes. An estimated 5.4 million middle- and high-school students in the U.S. recently used e-cigarettes, a vaping device, according to a federal survey released in December. That is 20% of all students, far more than the 4.3% that used cigarettes. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported 2,561 cases of hospitalizations for lung injury involving e-cigarettes, and 55 deaths, as of Dec. 27. The majority of cases are linked to products containing THC, the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana.” READ: https://on.wsj.com/2MYT5qf
MINNESOTA: The Minnesota Department of Health reports 141 confirmed or probable cases of vaping-associated lung injuries with another 16 under review. There have been three deaths. SEE: http://bit.ly/2kNbs6u
PSYCHOSIS: From Jayne O’Donnell via USA Today, VERBATIM: “As marijuana increasingly becomes legalized, parents of children who make up the mounting cases of cannabis-induced psychosis and other mental illness say treatment is far less available than the pot they say is linked to the conditions. Many marijuana advocates question the strength of the science behind warnings by federal and state public health officials. They say more rigorous studies are needed to prove whether frequent use of high-potency pot caused the mental illness or if it would have occurred anyway. Whether marijuana is the cause or the self-prescribed cure, the rise in psychosis, schizophrenia and suicide among young, heavy users comes amid a shortage in doctors and facilities to treat them. Parents describe spotty understanding of cannabis-induced mental illness and the best ways to treat it among doctors and hospitals. Mental health treatment, especially for teens needing psychiatric care, is lacking in most parts of the country, USA TODAY found.” READ: http://bit.ly/2T3MyhM
ATHLETES: Via Reuters, VERBATIM: “Former female professional soccer players will be included for the first time in research into possible links between heading balls and dementia thanks to a new project launched on Tuesday. Researchers at the University of East Anglia (UEA) will carry out long-term cognitive tests on former men and women players to shed more light on the findings of a report by the University of Glasgow and Hampden Sports Clinic last year. That report, based on the medical records of 7,676 former Scottish professional male players, found they were around five times more likely to have suffered from Alzheimer's disease -- the most common form of dementia -- than the average.” READ: https://nyti.ms/2T7Uejf
ALCOHOL: From Tracey Romero via Philly Voice, VERBATIM: “Alcohol's relationship with the heart is complicated. While consuming red wine in moderation is believed to be good for the heart, a new study suggests that people with atrial fibrillation should abstain from all alcohol. Atrial fibrillation, or AFib, is an irregular heartbeat or arrhythmia that can lead to complications like blood clots, stroke and heart failure. According to the American Heart Association, more than 2 million Americans live with AFib . . . About 53% of the patients in the abstinence group had an AFib episode reoccurrence during the study period. In comparison, 73% of the patients who consumed alcohol had a reoccurrence. The abstinence group also experienced longer gaps of time between AFib episode, an average of 120 days versus 87 days.” READ: http://bit.ly/2tBGvq8
RUNNING: From Katie Hunt via CNN, VERBATIM: “Need another reason to sign up for that marathon in 2020? New research suggests training and running a marathon for the first time could reverse some of the effects of aging on our bodies. Researchers found that for the 138 healthy, first-time marathon runners they tracked, training and completing the London marathon was associated with a four-year reduction in their ‘vascular age.’ Specifically, they found that marathon training reversed the age-related stiffening of the body's main artery and helped reduce blood pressure.” READ: https://cnn.it/2umXUTG
DOCREVIEWS: From Jeff Lagasse via Healthcare Finance, VERBATIM: “In all, 43% of people between the ages of 50 and 80 said they had looked up a doctor online to see how others rated him or her, or what was said in their reviews. One-third of them had done so at least once in the past year, according to new results from the National Poll on Healthy Aging. And two-thirds of them had chosen a doctor due to good online ratings and reviews. When it comes to choosing a physician, online reviews matter about as much as what an older person hears from family and friends through word of mouth -- but only one in five poll respondents called either source of information ‘very important.’” READ: http://bit.ly/2tBx6yQ
CMS: From Maria Castellucci via Modern Healthcare, VERBATIM: “Brad Smith, who co-founded palliative care provider Aspire Health is the new director of the CMS' Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation. The HHS announced Monday that Smith would be the new leader of the CMS' delivery model testing center, replacing Adam Boehler who left the role in the fall after roughly a year when he was nominated for another role in the Trump administration.” READ: http://bit.ly/2T0BTEt
TRUCKING: From Rebecca Beitsch via The Hill, VERBATIM: “The Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) latest plans to overhaul trucking regulations are being met with some skepticism from environmental and health groups who worry the agency’s track could undermine tougher state regulations that are in the works. Flanked by trucking association leaders near Interstate-66 in Virginia, EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler announced the agency’s intention to regulate nitrogen oxide, a byproduct of vehicle emissions tied with a host of health problems . . . An update to the rules could be a major achievement for an agency often chided -- and sued -- for rolling back environmental regulations rather than boosting them. But environmental and health groups expressed concern Monday the EPA regulations may not be as stringent as they could or should be, while stymying efforts in California to set ambitious nitrogen oxide standards of their own.” READ: http://bit.ly/2N14ZQb
AI: From Denise Grady via The New York Times, VERBATIM: “Brain surgeons are bringing artificial intelligence and new imaging techniques into the operating room, to diagnose tumors as accurately as pathologists, and much faster, according to a report in the journal Nature Medicine. The new approach streamlines the standard practice of analyzing tissue samples while the patient is still on the operating table, to help guide brain surgery and later treatment. The traditional method, which requires sending the tissue to a lab, freezing and staining it, then peering at it through a microscope, takes 20 to 30 minutes or longer. The new technique takes two and a half minutes. Like the old method, it requires that tissue be removed from the brain, but uses lasers to create images and a computer to read them in the operating room.” READ: https://nyti.ms/2us1eNv
CANCER: Via Reuters, VERBATIM: “Dozens of drugmakers are conducting human trials for a record 89 therapies that pair antibodies with toxic agents to fight cancer, evidence of renewed confidence in an approach that has long fallen short of its promise, an analysis compiled for Reuters shows. These antibody-drug conjugates, or ADCs, from companies including AztraZeneca and GlaxoSmithKline, are described by researchers as ‘guided missiles’ packing a powerful anti-cancer punch. They are engineered to zero in on tumors and then release cytotoxins that deliver up to 10,000 times the potency of standard chemotherapy, while minimizing damage to healthy tissue.” READ: https://nyti.ms/37Ns4hx
COLONCANCER: Via Globe Newswire, VERBATIM: “Fight Colorectal Cancer (Fight CRC) and the Colon Cancer Coalition announced today they are partnering to fund research at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. The research being funded addresses the alarming rise in colorectal cancer cases in those younger than age 50, looking at the differences in biology between young adult-onset colorectal cancer and older-onset colorectal cancer . . . The Colon Cancer Coalition is based in Minnesota and dedicated to encouraging screening and raising awareness of colorectal cancer.” READ: https://yhoo.it/2N4Nyyn
EXERCISE: Via Mayo Clinic News Network, VERBATIM: “High-intensity function training, such as boot camp-type exercise classes, continues to grow in popularity. In this Mayo Clinic Minute, Dr. Edward Laskowski, co-director of Mayo Clinic Sports Medicine, explains how someone can reap the benefits of this type of exercise while avoiding injury.” WATCH: https://mayocl.in/2sYz3Fx
SURVEY: From Cargill-co-owned Truvia via PRNewswire, VERBATIM: “As a part of the new ‘Yeah. You're doing it right.’ campaign, the Truvia brand asked 1,000 women ages 25-65 how they define wellness and the results are clear: there isn't one "right" way to do wellness. With more than 65% of women saying that finding time to work out is more stressful than actually working out – sometimes the best wellness hack is looking outside the gym: Class is out of session: Nearly 3 in 5 moms say they get a better workout running after their kids than in a spin class. Core – we mean chore – workout: Over 80% say that household chores count as cardio.” READ: https://prn.to/36sKxzz
ALZHEIMER’S: Edina’s Giving Voice Initiative and Minneapolis’ Centro Tyrone Guzman are two of the three organizations winning this year’s Family Caregiver Alliance’s Innovations in Alzheimer’s Caregiving Award. READ: https://prn.to/36vLUxs
UNIFORMS: From Shelley K. Mesch via Wisconsin State Journal, VERBATIM: “Dodgeville-based Lands’ End faces multiple lawsuits by Delta Air Lines employees who claim their required uniforms manufactured by the clothing company cause severe medical problems. Two class-action lawsuits filed in U.S. District Court in Madison — the first on Oct. 3 and the second on Tuesday — claim the uniforms caused numerous Delta employees to break out in skin rashes, suffer migraines and experience breathing difficulties, among other problems. They claim that the chemicals and finishes used to create high-stretch, wrinkle- and stain-resistant, waterproof, anti-static and deodorizing garments for the uniforms led to employees’ health problems.” READ: http://bit.ly/2QtxKqS
6,000+: Over 6,000 people have downloaded the Fluence Forum, an hour-long deep dive a critical issue of our community. The topic of the first one was the Enbridge Line 3 Replacement. Joined by labor, business and Native community leaders we discussed the impact the $2.6 billion project will have on Minnesota. You can listen to the forum here. LISTEN: http://bit.ly/2PIjBUR
NEXT: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com
BENEFITS: From Minneapolis-based Dorsey & Whitney via Business Wire, VERBATIM: “International law firm Dorsey & Whitney LLP is pleased to announce enhanced Paid Parental Leave and Adoption Assistance benefits . . . Dorsey has received external recognition for being an employer that is supportive of women and parents including being named a Best Law Firm for Women by Working Mother magazine, an Adoption Advocate by the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption, and Gold Standard Certification from the Women in Law Empowerment Forum.” READ: https://bwnews.pr/2T0H4nX
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TEETH: From Minnesota Dental Association via PRNewswire, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Dental Association is urging all Minnesotans to make a resolution to improve their oral health in 2020. Eliminating bad habits, starting good habits, and prevention are all key to maintaining good oral health and avoiding the risk of gum disease and other possible dental-related conditions.” TIPS: https://prn.to/2T1DmKX
If you like podcasts, listen to Beers with Blois...http://bit.ly/BWBLISTEN
TABKE: Episode #23 of Beers with Blois, from Badger Hill Brewing in Shakopee first-term Rep. Brad Tabke discusses politics in a swing district, surprises in his first term, and transportation. LISTEN: http://bit.ly/beerswBlois23 (SPONSORED: MN Corn Growers and North Central Carpenters Union)
COHEN: From Dual Citizen brewery Sen. Dick Cohen talks about major legislation he's helped pass and current dynamics within the Senate including his challenge from fmr. Rep. Erin Murphy. LISTEN: http://bit.ly/beerswblois22 (SPONSORED: MN Corn Growers and North Central Carpenters Union)
BEERS: Beers with Blois at Utepils with Rep. Jeremy Munson. Munson talks health care, starting a new caucus and his idea for a new bill for elections and open legislative seats. LISTEN: http://bit.ly/BeerswBlois21 (SPONSORED: MN Corn Growers and North Central Carpenters Union)
GAROFALO: State Representative Pat Garofalo talks about a bipartisan idea for legalizing marijuana, a new outline for structuring bonding, and of course, sports betting in Minnesota. LISTEN: http://bit.ly/BeersWBlois20
PRATT: State Sen. Eric Pratt while rumored to be considering a candidacy for Congress against Rep. Angie Craig, Pratt announces he’ll run for re-election to the State Senate. Over a Pacifico, he discusses his leadership on passing bi-partisan wage theft legislation and pushback he received from people in his own party. Pratt discusses how he has approached trying to find a solution on the emergency insulin issue with DFLers. LISTEN: http://bit.ly/BeerswBlois19 (SPONSORED: Minnesota Corn Growers and North Central Carpenters Union )
SMITH: From Wild Minds Ales in South Minneapolis, Sen. Tina Smith talks about the culture of the U.S. Senate and who sits with who at lunch, how her marketing background changes the way she views traveling the state and meeting with people. She also shares early thoughts on her 2020 re-election campaign and what’s she’s learning about new currency on the Financial Services Committee. LISTEN: http://bit.ly/BeerswBlois16 (Sponsored by Minnesota Corn Growers and the North Central States Carpenters Union)
CARNAHAN: At the Republican Party booth, over a “Beer-garita”, from Tejas at the Minnesota State Fair, State GOP Chair Jennifer Carnahan talks about how President Trump’s campaign has invested unprecedented resources in Minnesota for a Presidential race. Carnahan also discusses the what’s at stake in the Minnesota Senate and how she grew into her role as a political outsider. LISTEN: http://bit.ly/BeerswBlois17 (Sponsored by Minnesota Corn Growers and the North Central States Carpenters Union)
MCCOLLUM: From Burning Brothers brewery in St. Paul, Rep. Betty McCollum brings us to our first gluten-free brewery and discusses the dynamics of being back in the majority and the Minnesota delegation. She shares her views on copper-nickel mining in Northern Minnesota, her role as the chair of an appropriations committee. LISTEN: http://bit.ly/BeerswBlois15 (Sponsored by Minnesota Corn Growers and the North Central States Carpenters Union)
CRAIG: Rep. Angie Craig drinks a local IPA with Blois and discusses what constituents are concerned about as she represents a district that President Donald Trump won in 2016, but Craig won in 2018. Talking about her plans for 2020, Craig shares how she’s approached meeting with lobbyists, what farmers have been telling her, and her work with Rep. Pete Stauber. LISTEN: http://bit.ly/beerswblois14
QUALLS: Republican challenger in Minnesota's Third Congressional District Kendall Qualls sits down at the Rock Elm Tavern in Plymouth for a cold one. Qualls discusses why he decided to run for Congress, issues he thinks he can make a difference on and where he thinks Rep. Dean Phillips hasn't delivered. LISTEN: http://bit.ly/BeerswBlois13 (Sponsored by Minnesota Corn Growers and the North Central States Carpenters Union)
CARTER: At the Allianz Field Beer Hall, Mayor Melvin Carter shares his priorities for St. Paul neighborhoods and residents. From major redevelopment opportunities on the riverfront, the Ford Plant and in Midway to what he’s learned during ride-alongs with police in the city. LISTEN: http://bit.ly/2Ytdprr
HAGEDORN: From Beers with Blois over some different Schell’s brewed beers at Crooked Pint in Fairbault, Rep. Jim Hagedorn joins Blois to discuss how Chinese trade has impacted the first district, his support of President Donald Trump, and what businesses and the agriculture community is concerned about as he travels the first district. LISTEN: http://bit.ly/BeerswBlois11 (Sponsored by Minnesota Corn Growers and the North Central States Carpenters Union)
DULUTH: In episode #10 of Beers with Blois, from Hoops Brewing in Canal Park, Duluth Mayor Emily Larson discusses how Duluth residents voted for higher taxes for infrastructure with over 70 percent of the vote, what the city is doing to address making housing more accessible, and why she’s taking the lead on pushing the EPA to study hydrogen fluoride after a refinery explosion in Superior, WI. LISTEN: http://bit.ly/BeerswBlois10 (Sponsored by Minnesota Corn Growers and the North Central States Carpenters Union)
BENSON: In episode #9 of Beers with Blois, from Invectis Brewery in Blaine, Beers with Blois catches up with State Sen. Michelle Benson on potential ways to split-up DHS and forthcoming prescription drug reform legislation. She shares the perspective on how physicians in the Senate influence legislation and what her plan is for re-election in 2020. LISTEN: http://bit.ly/BeerswBlois9
(Sponsored by Minnesota Corn Growers and the North Central States Carpenters Union)
CHEERS: Rep. Tom Emmer sits down with host Blois Olson and talks about his hobby of brewing beer and his beer tracking app, Rep. Ilhan Omar’s relationship with the Minnesota delegation and on Congress failure of doing its job since the 1990’s because of a lack of leadership. He also had a few things to say about hockey parents and what people are think about Trump in his district.” LISTEN: http://bit.ly/2WT4euR (Sponsored by Minnesota Corn Growers and the North Central States Carpenters Union)
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WHITEHOUSE: via Beers with Blois, Rep. Dean Phillips VERBATIM: “That hour I spent in the White House Situation Room with the President was eye opening." In addition, Phillips shares insights on how they share thoughts this weekend in the Problem Solvers Caucus trip to the border, as well as his plans for 2020.” LISTEN: http://bit.ly/BeerswBlois8 (Sponsored by Minnesota Corn Growers and the North Central States Carpenters Union)
NEU: The Lindstrom Bakery and Deputy House Minority Leader Anne Neu joins Blois to discuss Gov. Tim Walz role in the budget negotiations, Trump’s influence in the 2020 elections and how Minnesota DFLers are starting to look like DC Democrats on “radical” proposals. LISTEN: http://bit.ly/BeerswBlois5 (Sponsored by Minnesota Corn Growers and the North Central States Carpenters Union)
FREY: Using some blue language Mayor Jacob Frey introduces Blois to actual beer at La Doña, a cervezaria near where the Minnesota United Soccer stadium was going to be. Frey on his relationship with Chief Medaria Arradondo and how often they talk on the phone. LISTEN: http://bit.ly/BeerswBlois4 (Sponsored by Minnesota Corn Growers and the North Central States Carpenters Union)
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VAPING: Last night, St. Louis Park voted to ban the sale of e-cigarettes and vaping products.
DHS: Glenn Howatt of the Star Tribune reports on the promise from Gov. Tim Walz to counties that they would not be held accountable for overpayments. READ: http://strib.mn/2Fuweys
DRIVING: via AP, VERBATIM: “ The number of people in Minnesota arrested for driving while impaired grew by nearly 5 percent last year, partly due to people driving with cannabis, opioids and methamphetamine in their system, according to a state agency’s report…The Minnesota Department of Public Safety released preliminary data on Thursday showing that most of the nearly 28,000 motorists cited last year for driving while impaired, or DWI, had too much alcohol, the Star Tribune reported…Drivers being impaired by substances other than alcohol — specifically cannabis, opioids and methamphetamine — contributed to the increase, the report found.” READ: http://bit.ly/36sW1TM
MOVE: Sophie Wallerstedt is the new Grassroots Campaign Manager at Be The Match.
MOVE: Dan Dwight is the new Health Policy Director at the Minnesota Business Partnership.
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BRIGHTHEALTH: From Minneapolis-based Bright Health via PRNewswire, VERBATIM: “Today, Bright Health announced that Cathy R. Smith is joining the diversified consumer-focused healthcare company as its new chief financial officer.” READ: https://prn.to/39LTo18
INSPECTIONS: Via KSTP-TV, VERBATIM: “Anyone interested in Minneapolis food inspection reports can now find them online. The city of Minneapolis issued a release Thursday stating the food inspection lookup tool can sort information by business name or address, location, inspection date and business category (restaurant, grocery or institution). Those interested can look up reports on individual businesses or collect bulk health inspection data from the past three years . . . Along with restaurants, food trucks, grocery stores, gas stations, coffee shops, gyms and school buildings like fraternity houses are subject to inspection.” READ: http://bit.ly/2SRAzDJ
MORE: The Star Tribune’s Eric Roper reports Minnesota had been the only state where no agency posted food inspections online. READ: http://strib.mn/2FfREzc
ROCHESTER: From Maddy Kennedy via Minne Inno, VERBATIM: “Destination Medical Center, a multi-billion dollar project intended to drive development and investment in Rochester, has announced plans for a startup competition intended to support people with disabilities. Now in its second year, the Assistive Tech Challenge seeks to support entrepreneurs creating solutions relating to independent living, access to employment, improved public infrastructure, social skill development and support for care providers . . . The winner of last year’s open division was Adapt-A-Cart, a startup creating better options for wheelchair users at grocery stores and other retail outlets. Vitals Aware Services, an app built to prevent situations between vulnerable people and first responders from escalating, received first place in the professional division.” READ: http://bit.ly/2QxjXjp
PROVATION: From Minneapolis-based Provation Medical via Business Wire, VERBATIM: “Provation Medical, Inc., the premier software provider of procedure documentation and clinical decision support solutions, backed by Clearlake Capital Group, L.P., today announced its acquisition of MD-Reports, a leading provider of electronic medical record (EMR), practice management (PM), and report writing software.” READ: https://bwnews.pr/2sJ29IZ
MOVE: From St. Croix Hospice via PRNewswire, VERBATIM: “A nationally recognized and respected leader in the home health and hospice industry, Susan Freeman has joined St. Croix Hospice in the newly created role of Chief Operating Officer.” READ: https://prn.to/2N4yf8L
PREVENTICE: Via Eagan-based Preventice, VERBATIM: “Preventice Solutions announced today the appointment of Tom Sheehy as executive vice president (EVP) and chief commercial officer (CCO). In this role, Sheehy will lead the Preventice commercial organization, including sales, marketing and product management. Sheehy joins Preventice from Medtronic, where he recently served as a senior area sales director for the Diagnostics and Coronary sales team.” READ: http://bit.ly/2N3hBX3
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