January 17, 2013

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THURSDAY

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FRIDAY

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SATURDAY

Southern Minnesota Making the considered ‘hot spot’ Grade Minnesota receives ‘D’ for Influenza

Southern Minnesota is the site of the state’s lastest flu epidemic, as country experiences early flu season

grade from Students First

web photo Despite Minnesota’s low grade no state received a grade higher than “B,” while many have questioned the system’s effectiveness. Pictured is the founder of Students First, Michelle Rhee. ERIC PERRINE

web photo Influenza has hit Minnesota harder than many states. The state has experienced 27 flu-related deaths this year, while citizens are being reminded that the vaccine is not 100 percent effective. ELISE KONERZA

staff writer High fever, aches, headaches and pain – it’s flu season, and southern Minnesota is welcoming it with rapidly increasing cases of the viral illness. Southern Minnesota has been designated by the state’s Department of Health as the leading region in the state for influenza-based hospitalization cases per capita. Yet, it’s not the number of cases that makes this year’s flu virus so dangerous. According to the Minnesota Department of Health weekly

statistics, 23 deaths were confirmed during week one of the flu season. Since then, 27 influenza-related deaths have been confirmed. What came as a bitter shock to many Minnesotans were the ages of influenza fatalities. One of those being Carly Christensen a 14 –yearold girl and ninth-grader at St. Louis Park High School, confirmed dead last Thursday. Family members had noted she was a healthy teenager. The Minnesota Department of Health has reported a hike in flu hospitalizations, but Ruth Bolton, a Mayo Clinic

Urgent Care doctor is hastened to point out this flu season is not any more dangerous than any other. “Two years ago, more people died than now,” Bolton said. Health officials say the current vaccine includes three strains of inoculations, two from the A family and one from the B. The A strain has been proven to be more effective than the B. Although the vaccine is not 100 percent effective for everyone, the Health Department and Bol-

Influenza / page 2

staff writer Minnesota has received a D in the 2013 Students First State Rankings on education. Students First, an organization headed by former Washington, D.C., chancellor of public schools Michelle Rhee, advocates stricter tests for teachers nationwide as a requirement to keep their jobs. The grades were contingent on three aspects: Elevating teaching, empowering parents, spending wisely and governing well. Elevate teaching meant to hold teachers accountable for student’s test scores. Other steps, including eliminating tenure and other measures were evaluated. Minnesota received a D plus. The Empower parents aspect was based on the ability parents were given within states to pursue the best education available for their children. According to the Students First Website, one of their main goals is “to make sure all families have a range of

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high quality schools to choose from, because our kids shouldn’t have to rely on a lottery or the ZIP Code of their home to get a great education.” Minnesota received a D- in this aspect. Spend Wisely and Govern well is the last aspect taken into consideration. According to the website, this measures the ability of states to be flexible in terms of financing so students can be well-served. Minnesota received a D- in this aspect. More than two-thirds of the states either received an overall grade of D-plus or lower. No state received an A, while Louisiana and Florida were the only states to receive B minuses. Education Minnesota President Tom Dooher downplayed the rankings. “Minnesotans need to remember that these ratings have absolutely no connection with how well schools educate students. If they did, Minnesota and Massachusetts would be at the top and Louisiana

Education / page 2

A&E

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INDEX: SPORTS

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CLASSIFIEDS

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January 17, 2013 by MSU Reporter - Issuu