Wednesday, Feb 25, 2009

FEB 25: POWER PLAY OVER THE GREENWAY: Green Ways to Up the Voltage?

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FEB 25: POWER PLAY OVER THE GREENWAY: Green Ways to Up the Voltage? Minneapolis' Midtown Greenway converted a rail bed below 29th Street through the core of the city's south side to bike trails and walking paths with an eye to eventually putting a transit rail line from Uptown to the River, connecting it to the regional rail system. Now XCEL ENERGY wants to plunk down a major power substation near Hiawatha and run a high-voltage powerline down and over the Greenway, crisscrossing the trail several times. The neighborhoods are up in arms, despite conceding the need for additional electricity to the area. Bury it, say the neighbors. Too expensive, says Xcel. TTT's ANDY DRISCOLL and LYNNELL MICKELSEN explore the issues and conflicts plaguing the debate between large power users like Allina, Abbott-Northwestern Hospital and Wells Fargo Bank who can't afford summer brownouts against a new green vision for power generation promoted by area advocates. We talk with a panel of principals of varying perspectives. *UPDATE: Xcel bowed out of this program at the 11th hour. So we couldn't query their reps about why they're pushing such a traditional power source.* GUESTS: • PETER MCLAUGHLIN, Hennepin County Commissioner/Chair, North American Water Office; • BILL ZIEGLER, President/CEO, Little Earth of United Tribes; • TIM SPRINGER, Executive Director, Midtown Greenway Coalition; • JULIA EAGLES, Program Manager, Phillips Community Energy Cooperative; • CAROL OVERLAND, Attorney/Green Energy Advocate; BLOG: Legalectric

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Wednesday, Feb 18, 2009

TTT FEB 18: SINGLE-PAYER HEALTHCARE: Are We There Yet?

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FEB 18: SINGLE-PAYER HEALTHCARE: Are We There Yet? For the umpteenth successive Legislative session a bill consolidating all Minnesota health insurance into a single public source and making coverage mandatory for all residents. It's rarely ever found its way out of committee. But wait! This new bill carries more authors and co-authors and is moving through committees at a pace no other bill of its kind has over the many years this idea has floated about at the Capitol. Why is that? Why have those traditionally resisting such change as too radical and politically nonviable been so willing to climb on board the newly minted Minnesota Health Plan this particular session. Have years of pressure finally taken hold? Do the dollars and dimes in this recessionary time suddenly add up to wise investment in our health care system and no longer the fear-mongering socialization of medicine? TTT's ANDY DRISCOLL and LYNNELL MICKELSEN talk with citizen and organizational advocates, legislative sponsors and at least one opponent of placing healthcare funding in the hands of the public. GUESTS: • SEN. MARY OLSON, Committees: Finance - Health and Human Services Budget Division and Commerce and Consumer Protection. EMAIL • KIP SULLIVAN, Author of "The Health Care Mess", In These Times Blogger, and Long-time Single-Payer Expert and Advocate. • DR. MORRISON HODGES, Retired Cardiologist, former Director of Cardiology for Hennepin County Medical Center, co-founder, Hennepin Faculty Associates, Member, Physicians for a National Health Program Dr. Hodgesis available for talks on the history of healthcare and insurance. EMAIL • DAN MCGRATH, Executive Director - TAKE ACTION MINNESOTA • TTT Correspondent MARTIN OWINGS, with a live report on progress on the Minnesota Health Plan from the Capitol Hearing rooms; Blogger at RADIO FREE NATION ADDITIONAL LINKS - more information: Minnesota Universal Health Care Coalition.
Stream TTT live from KFAI's Home Page.

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Wednesday, Feb 11, 2009

TTT FEB 11: THE OBAMA ERA: PERCEPTIONS, EXPECTATIONS AND POLICIES

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FEBRUARY 11: THE OBAMA ERA: PERCEPTIONS, EXPECTATIONS AND POLICIES Just what does this sea change in America's governance mean to us at home in Minnesota – especially in communities suffering under the twin sieges of economic disparity and discrimination - joblessness, homelessness, foreclosure, and debt – that lead to community instability? Do we have a right and responsibility to cheer Barack Obama's election as a sign of progress and hope while holding this new president, his administration, and the new majorities in Congress as well elected officials in our own backyards responsible and accountable for real change and common prosperity? What signs indicate things are really changing? What signs point to business as usual as the Obama agenda plays out in the coming economic stimulus, job creation and long-awaited equity in policies directing resources to education, health and health care, the environment, consumer protection, and financial gaps? TTT's ANDY DRISCOLL and LYNNELL MICKELSEN talk with community activists, scholars and political operatives from the many Twin Cities and Minnesota communities dealing with economic depression in the midst of optimism generated by President Obama's election to get their perceptions, expectations and policy analyses. GUESTS: • IRMA McCLAURIN, PhD - Associate VP, UofM, and Executive Director, Urban Research & Outreach/Engagement Center • PROF. TOM O'CONNELL - Political Scientist, Metropolitan State University; Chair, CivicMedia/Minnesota • NICK AL'AZIZ MUHAMMAD - St. Paul Coordinator, Obama Campaign; Hip Hop Artist (Gardens of Balance) - Hip Hop Get-Out-the-Vote • DAI THAO - Organizer, TakeAction Minnesota; Obama Campaign Hmong Get-Out-The-Vote • plus CALL-IN "MY.OBAMA COMMENTATORS DON HOLT and ANNE SARVER

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Wednesday, Feb 04, 2009

TTT Feb 4 HEALTH DISPARITIES IN COMMUNITIES OF COLOR:

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LIVE SPECIAL From the OPEN CITIES HEALTH FAIR at Wilder Foundation Headquarters in St. Paul: A BLACK HISTORY MONTH discussion: HEALTH DISPARITIES IN COMMUNITIES OF COLOR: Access or Responsibility? On first blush, it would be no surprise if we learned that access to good health and adequate health care would be less available within Twin Cities Area communities of color. Access to the resources for preventing illness and injury as well as acute care for sickness and trauma would seem to be less available among folks who live in poverty and that appears truer of African-Americans, Latinos, Asians and other New Americans. But is it? Are the resources actually plenty, but their actual uses meager? Why do so many people use emergency rooms and not doctors and clinics for care best received in less expensive settings?

TTT'S ANDY DRISCOLL talks with community health professionals about the data and the reality of adequate care and accessibility among people with low incomes and a tradition of discrimination in many public services. Can patients be held more responsible for their care and conditions than we do? GUESTS: • MITCHELL DAVIS, JR., Director,OFFICE OF MINORITY & MULTICULTURAL HEALTH -MN Dept. of Health • ROXANNE TISDALE, Director of Health Disparities -OPEN CITIES HEALTH CENTER, St. Paul • AKHMIRI SEKHR-RA, Health Systems Navigator, Doula - CULTURAL WELLNESS CENTER, Minneapolis

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