Podcast Summary
Drunk Driving Fatalities: Two people were killed in separate incidents due to drunk driving, and one driver was charged with criminal vehicular homicide, acknowledging his intoxication and being over four times the legal limit.
On September 4th, 56-year-old Stephen Frane Bailey was charged with criminal vehicular homicide and other offenses following a fatal crash at a St. Louis Park restaurant, where two people were killed and nine others were injured. Bailey, who was allegedly drunk, made statements acknowledging his intoxication and a preliminary breath test showed he was over four times the legal limit. Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Joe Biden, as well as Republican nominee Donald Trump, have expressed opposition to the planned sale of U.S. Steel to a Japanese company. Meanwhile, in Wisconsin, two Twin Cities residents died in a single vehicle crash, and authorities believe alcohol was a factor. Bailey is due to make his first court appearance today, and the U.S. Steel sale remains a contentious issue.
Wildfire smoke health risks, physician shortage: Wildfire smoke in northwestern Minnesota poses health risks for sensitive groups, while Minnesota faces a growing physician shortage with over 1,000 new doctors needed by 2030
Wildfire smoke in northwestern Minnesota will pose health risks for sensitive groups this week, while the state faces a growing shortage of physicians. The smoke, originating from Canada, is expected to affect people with asthma, heart disease, pregnant individuals, children, and older adults. Meanwhile, Minnesota's physician vacancy rate has risen from 12% to 15%, with the state projected to need over 1,000 new doctors by 2030 due to an aging physician population and an aging population itself. Additionally, the Minnesota State Fair broke attendance records this year, with 1,926,000 people attending, although it fell short of the 2019 record of 2.1 million. Lastly, volunteers are working to locate rare plants across Minnesota, focusing on about 300 species of concern, threatened, or endangered.
Plant Watch program: The Plant Watch program preserves Minnesota's rare plant life by enlisting volunteers and utilizing the knowledge of experts to document and update records, aiding land managers and scientists in protection efforts.
Minnesota's rare plants are spread out throughout the state, making it crucial for organizations like the Plant Watch program to bring volunteers together to help locate and document their whereabouts. Established last year, the program has trained fifty volunteers this year to aid in the search. Many records of rare plants go back decades, and having up-to-date information from experts like Lisa can significantly aid land managers and scientists in protecting these species. In summary, the Plant Watch program plays a vital role in preserving Minnesota's rare plant life by enlisting the help of dedicated volunteers and utilizing the knowledge of experts like Lisa.