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Stories from November 27, 2018

Fertilize crops with human waste? Let me explain, researcher says

Fertilize crops with human waste? Let me explain, researcher says

Jeremy Guest, a professor at the University of Illinois, is visiting the Twin Cities to talk about technologies that turn human waste into fertilizers similar to the synthetic fertilizers many farmers use to grow corn and soybeans.
by Elizabeth Dunbar

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'SpongeBob' creator Stephen Hillenburg dies at 57

'SpongeBob' creator Stephen Hillenburg dies at 57

Hillenburg conceived, wrote, produced and directed the animated series that began in 1999 and bloomed into hundreds of episodes, movies and a Broadway show.
by Associated Press

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Breast implants reveal problems in tracking device safety

Breast implants reveal problems in tracking device safety

Thousands of problems with breast implants flooded the FDA's system. More than 4,000 injury reports filed in the last half of 2017. Another 8,000 in the first six months of 2018.
by Associated Press

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FDA's 'flawed' device pathway persists with industry backing

Roughly 3,000 medical devices enter the U.S. market every year through a system that generally requires little or no patient testing to verify safety and effectiveness.
by Associated Press

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U.S. goal to be 'first' on devices worries former regulators

U.S. goal to be 'first' on devices worries former regulators

Under Dr. Jeffrey Shuren, director of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, annual new device approvals have more than tripled, while warnings letters to device manufacturers about product safety and quality issues have fallen roughly 80 percent, an Associated Press investigation found.
by Associated Press

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The health care system is tough, especially for black women

Women of color in the U.S. are more likely to develop diabetes, high blood pressure and Alzheimer's disease. But they're also more likely to face discrimination when trying to get care for their health. How does racism influence our health care systems?
by Catharine Richert

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Cargill tests robotic cattle driver as a way to improve worker safety

Cargill tests robotic cattle driver as a way to improve worker safety

Hundreds of injuries — and some fatalities — are caused by cattle each year. But a new robot might be able to emulate some sounds and actions of workers, keeping them safe from kicks and attacks.
by Esther Honig

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Chronically ill, traumatically billed: $123,019 for 2 multiple sclerosis treatments

Chronically ill, traumatically billed: $123,019 for 2 multiple sclerosis treatments

Shereese Hickson's doctor wanted her to try a drug called Ocrevus for her multiple sclerosis. Trained as a medical billing coder, Hickson was shocked by the six-figure bill and the share she owed.
by Jay Hancock

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AP Investigation: Insulin pumps have high number of injuries

AP Investigation: Insulin pumps have high number of injuries

Collectively, insulin pumps and their components are responsible for the highest overall number of malfunction, injury and death reports in the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's medical device database, according to an Associated Press analysis of reports since 2008.
by Associated Press

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Study: Young adults with diabetes struggle with high blood sugar more often

Study: Young adults with diabetes struggle with high blood sugar more often

New research from the Minnesota Department of Health finds that younger adults with diabetes are more likely to have high blood sugar levels and end up in the hospital than older adults with the disease.
by Kirsti Marohn

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With farm bankruptcies on the rise, a look at the economics of dairy farming in Minnesota

Increased dairy production, coupled with stagnating demand, have kept prices low. At the same time, trade scuffles have made it harder for farmers to reach new consumers overseas.
by Cathy Wurzer

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A custom playlist for your next flight, courtesy of Khruangbin

The band Khruangbin may be based in Texas, but its members embrace a wide variety of musical styles from around the world. They even have a website which creates custom music playlists for travelers based on basic flight info and preferences.
by Cathy Wurzer

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Meet the drunks on Minnesota’s roads

We strongly favor being hopeful for the future even though there are times when it's difficult to find it in the day's news. One in seven Minnesota drivers has a drunk driving conviction on their record. That seems low, judging by this press release from the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, which details the folks the police were meeting on the roads over the holiday weekend.
by Bob Collins

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In search of the political shift in the east metro

Washington County, that forgotten metro county, got a little attention today when NPR cited it in its analysis of several suburban areas which are purportedly shifting left. There are lies, damned lies, and statistics, so caution is advised in trying to prove the existence of the shift, particularly when NPR cited only votes for House races.
by Bob Collins

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Driver on cellphone pleads guilty in fatal Dakota County crash

The 57-year-old Oronoco woman admits she was on her cellphone when she ran a stop sign in 2016, killing a Rochester woman and seriously injuring three others.
by Tim Nelson

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Where the suburbs moved left -- and how it swung elections

Where the suburbs moved left -- and how it swung elections

These metro areas saw the most dramatic turnarounds in this election from red to blue -- and were responsible for Democrats taking back the House.
by Sean McMinn

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Kate DiCamillo, chronicler of the hard truths of youth

Kate DiCamillo, chronicler of the hard truths of youth

She's hugely popular and comes across as something of a smart aleck, but the children's author says she retains the timidity of her youth. She says that helps her connect to her young readers.
by Euan Kerr

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Former players say Packers coach punished poor play with lousy hotels

Former players say Packers coach punished poor play with lousy hotels

We find the story suspect while acknowledging that perhaps McCarthy has changed his ways. First of all: it's Jacksonville in all of the anecdotes. Jacksonville.
by Bob Collins

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Roadside bomb kills 3 U.S. soldiers in eastern Afghanistan

A roadside bomb killed three American soldiers in eastern Afghanistan on Tuesday, the U.S. military said. Three other service members were wounded when the bomb went off near the city of Ghazni. An American contractor was also wounded, the military said.
by The Associated Press

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Fact check: What's happening on the U.S.-Mexico border?

Fact check: What's happening on the U.S.-Mexico border?

On Sunday, U.S. agents fired tear gas on migrants trying to cross into the U.S. from Tijuana, Mexico. The migrants were protesting the slow pace with which the U.S. has been processing asylum claims.
by Camila Domonoske and Richard Gonzales

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Special counsel says Paul Manafort 'breached' plea deal, lied to FBI

Special counsel says Paul Manafort 'breached' plea deal, lied to FBI

For their part, Manafort's attorneys said he believes he has offered "useful information" and doesn't agree with the government assertion that he breached the plea agreement.
by Carrie Johnson

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Congratulations! It’s a wildfire!

The U.S. Forest Service has released this video of one gone awry. A couple actually thought putting an explosive -- Tannerite -- in the middle of a tinder-dry wildland in Arizona was a good idea.
by Bob Collins

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Minnesota's tech colleges see surge in skilled-trades training

Minnesota's tech colleges see surge in skilled-trades training

Companies in need of mechanics, technicians and other tradespeople are leaning on the state's two-year schools to help deliver well-trained workers in a tight labor market. At Dakota County Tech, they can't train students fast enough.
by Peter Cox

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Minneapolis moves forward city IDs for undocumented immigrants

Minneapolis moves forward city IDs for undocumented immigrants

A council committee voted unanimously Monday to move ahead with the program that could give people easier access to housing, banking and health care.
by Riham Feshir

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Man who spent the year living in an airport finds a home in Canada

Man who spent the year living in an airport finds a home in Canada

Stop me if you've heard this before. A man from another country flies to an airport, but then is stranded there because the country won't let him in and he can't get back. So he lives in the airport -- for seven months -- until he finally catches a break.
by Bob Collins

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In oil pipeline fight, should the theater be off-limits?

A performance by the Theater of Public Policy was shut down this month by Enbridge pipeline opponents. Both sides debated the appropriateness of silencing voices, with dueling op-eds in the Star Tribune.
by Bob Collins

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Snowy rumors Wednesday into Thursday

Snowy rumors Wednesday into Thursday

Snow chances lurk in the forecast.
by Paul Huttner

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The sound of jazz fades in Duluth

Jazz, the uniquely American art form, is dying in Duluth in one of the most unique locations: a strip club.
by Bob Collins

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What’s on MPR News – 11/27/18

Here are the stories, topics, and guests you'll hear today on MPR News.
by Bob Collins

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Venture capitalist Arlan Hamilton on building an inclusive economy

Venture capitalist Arlan Hamilton on building an inclusive economy

Venture capitalist Arlan Hamilton of Backstreet Capital on building an inclusive economy.

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U.S. health officials say it's OK to eat some romaine again

U.S. health officials say it's OK to eat some romaine again

The Food and Drug Administration narrowed its blanket warning from last week, when it said people shouldn't eat any type of romaine because of an E. coli outbreak.
by Associated Press

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