Inpatient psychiatric bed capacity across the nation has shrunk by over 90% since the 1950s through the movement of “deinstitutionalization”, moving many individuals with severe mental illnesses to emergency rooms, jails or the streets. There are nearly three times more individuals with a serious mental illness in jail or prison, than in treatment facilities. ERs have become the most common entry point for a psychiatric crisis, and on average it takes 3.5 days for a hospital bed to become...| www.mnphy.com
Lawmakers debate nursing homes, costs to counties and Medicaid cuts in debates over the Human Services budgets, which propose up to $300 million in cuts.| InForum
Projections presented Thursday, March 6 are down from November’s budget forecast, which showed an anticipated $5 billion deficit for 2028-29| InForum
Minnesota Senate Democrats, joint House and Gov. Tim Walz all target health budget, while House rules out education cuts. Walz tax changes would reduce sales tax rate but expand taxable services.| InForum
“We just need a little bit more time”: Leaders say a special session is likely for next week as a June 1 deadline for layoff notices to state employees quickly approaches.| Alexandria Echo Press
After suffering an act of political violence, Minnesota politicians are quickly condemning the shooting of the conservative commentator at Utah Valley University.| Perham Focus
Robert Ivers, 72, formerly of North Dakota, was previously sentenced to 18 months in federal prison for threatening to kill a federal judge| Perham Focus
12-year-old Sophia Forchas has improved from critical condition to serious condition.| Perham Focus
Minnesota area news, government, traffic updates, accidents, fires, education news, and more.| Perham Focus
Mary Murphy joined Forum Communications in October 2024 as the Minnesota State Correspondent. She can be reached by email at mmurphy@forumcomm.com.| Perham Focus
