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In Minnesota, there were 565 children with a confirmed elevated blood lead level of at least 5 micrograms per deciliter (µg/dL) in 2022, according to the Minnesota Department of Health. Irritability, hyperactivity, abdominal pain, weight loss, headaches, and developmental delays are just some of the symptoms in young children exposed to lead. “There is no safe level of lead,” said Kayla Chapman, senior planning analyst, CDC grant manager Hennepin County. The government banned

Every year, 16,000 phone calls, texts and chats come into the Minnesota Warmline. This free resource is necessary for the 819,000 adults in the state who struggle with their mental health, according to Minnesota’s National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI).  That’s nine times the population of Duluth. “We all need someone to talk to sometimes,” said Teresa Steinmetz, assistant commissioner of behavioral health at the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS). Steinmetz exp

Location is key when it comes to preventing opioid overdose deaths in Minnesota. “We really believe that overdose prevention works best when it lives in the community and not just in the clinic,” said Allie Carey, director of programs at the Steve Rummler Hope Network, headquartered in St. Paul and serving Washington County, providing life-saving resources through advocacy, education, and prevention. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) reports that having naloxone (brand

Woodbury Black History Month event was so good, teens went to school on their day off!

According to surveys from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), many Americans feel death is a taboo topic. Minnesota Public Radio host and journalist Cathy Wurzer disagrees. “Trust me, when you are courageous and swallow that little pit of fear, you’ll find death teaches us a lot about living right now,” Wurzer explained. Wurzer helps a lot of people think and talk about death these days through her nonprofit, End in Mind Project, which hosts a variety of events, includin

Sheletta surprises two ICE-impacted St. Paul businesses with checks from her GoFundMe

Sheletta says Target, Ecolab and 26 other corporations are giving chump change to help small businesses, so she’s stepping up,

Minnesota’s Sounds of Blackness has been making music since 1971, and most recently released the song and music video for “We’re Unstoppable.” You can be sure Sheletta Brundidge knows all the words.

To help support customers throughout their health journey, Hy-Vee’s registered dietitians have introduced a new line of frozen medically tailored meals called Dietitian Dishes. Available in the frozen section of Hy-Vee’s HealthMarket department and online, Dietitian Dishes come in more than 15 varieties of nutrient-dense, single-serve options and include flavors like Egg Roll in a Bowl, Braised Beef, Mediterranean Chicken, Spicy Layered Chicken Enchiladas and more. Each entre

Sheletta hosts a block party to honor neighbors and caretakers of Renee Good’s memorial

Most pocketbooks in Minnesota aren’t getting bigger these days, and consumers aren’t getting more confident. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, consumer buying in the state is characterized by a wait-and-see approach, with consumers still feeling the pressure of higher costs. There is also a lot of uncertainty in the Twin Cities, particularly where civil unrest from the presence of Immigration & Customs Enforcement officers has shuttered businesses with 40% to

Free lunch and learn event connects restaurant owners with state grants

Solidarity and hope fueling Minnesotans at prayer vigil one week after Renee Good’s death

Life in Minnesota can feel so scary right now. Here’s how to feel safe

When immigration enforcement is more visible, children often sense danger before they understand what’s happening. This stress can affect kids who are undocumented, kids in mixed-status families, and kids who simply live in a community where enforcement feels close. The nervous system first reads the environment. Words come later.   A simple way to state this is: uncertainty changes behavior.  Families may avoid parks, school events, clinics, or public spaces. Parents may fee

Yolanda Pierson, my friend and fellow Black business owner, is now leading The Minnesota Black Chamber of Commerce (MBCC) as President and Chief Executive Officer. “The first thing I did was thank God,” Pierson said. “I think this is a moment for myself to really be a steward, to really show up for my community.” Pierson has more than 25 years of executive leadership experience. She holds a doctorate and a master’s degree in business administration and is a small business own

When health care professionals collaborate on care, Minnesotans win

Three hour prayer vigil on Wednesday; one week after Renee Good’s death

Spread the word, Minnesota offers help to pay for insulin.

Before you pack the car and head over the river and through the woods to grandma’s house, be sure you are all healthy. That means being careful, even with what seems like a cold. Influenza A is peaking right now,” said Dr. Gigi Chawla, chief of general pediatrics at Children’s Minnesota. “ It can give people what looks like just a little bit of a cold at first. Usually, the symptoms escalate from there.” The Minnesota Department of Health reports 558 hospitalizations and thre