Minnesota
Influx in broadband funds to Minnesota will open the door to more telehealth options
MINNEAPOLIS — Dr. Cindy Firkins Smith doesn’t mince words: “Rural health care is on the precipice of a crisis,” she said.
Smith, a vice president and physician at CentraCare, has been practicing dermatology in Willmar for three decades. In all of that time, she’s always recruited other doctors to join her ranks in Greater Minnesota.
“It’s been challenging every one of those 33 years and I honestly thought it would get better, but if anything it’s gotten worse,” she explained.
State data show doctors in rural areas are older than those in urban ones, and one in three rural physicians plan to leave the workforce within the next five years, which could have “potentially devastating effects,” Smith told WCCO.
But one solution that can help bridge some of the gap: telehealth. The problem? Not everyone has access to high-speed internet.
Almost 20% of rural Minnesotans lack internet reliable enough to use for a video visit, according to a recent health report.
But there is some hope on that front: A record amount of money is coming from the federal government to Minnesota to connect communities to broadband, a boost that will have significant impact on businesses, schools, and health care in rural communities.
The state Legislature has also committed money from its General Fund for broadband built out. The White House recently announced Minnesota’s share of the funding from the infrastructure law approved by Congress will top $650 million.
“Telehealth can’t replace people when it comes to delivering health care; we need people on the ground,” Smith said. “But it is absolutely one of those arrows in our quiver, one of the pieces of the puzzle that we need to deliver that care.”
Telehealth has made a significant impact when it comes to mental and behavioral health providers, Minnesota Department of Health officials said. In the first half of 2021, telehealth accounted for 60% of all mental and behavioral health services.
State health leaders also say audio-only telehealth addresses some access issues, especially in rural areas lacking the bandwidth to support video-based appointments.
The 21st century patient-to-provider contact has shown “strong potential” for improving health care access, said Dr. Brooke Cunningham, Minnesota’s health commissioner, in a statement.
But she cautioned that it’s not a “one-size-fits-all” solution and that increased broadband investment is necessary.
“An increased reliance on video telehealth without adequate investments to address the existing digital divide and remedies for other structural inequities impacting health care delivery and outcomes could unintentionally increase health disparities,” she said.
Lawmakers in a large health bill this year extended coverage of audio-only telehealth services for the next two years; it was previously supposed to sunset this year.
Minnesota
A look at Minnesota's revamped wide receiver room for 2025
Entering this transfer portal, Minnesota’s wide receiver room was a major focus for P.J. Fleck and his coaching staff.
It shouldn’t be a surprise. Entering the offseason, the Gophers were set to say goodbye to both Daniel Jackson and Elijah Spencer. Behind them, the depth at the position was highly inexperienced outside of Le’Meke Brockington. The only other receiver to appear in more than 10 games this season was Cristian Driver who had a limited impact in 2024.
Now with the Gophers putting the finishing touches on their transfer portal class this window, three of the program’s top four commitments in the portal are wide receivers.
This month, the Gophers have landed wide receiver commitments out of the protal. Those additions come in the forms of; Nebraska’s Malachi Coleman (No. 90 overall transfer), Miami (OH)’s Javon Tracy (No. 97 overall transfer), and UCLA’s Logan Loya (No. 222 overall transfer).
Combined, the three wide receivers bring 88 career games of experience with them and over 1,500 career snaps.
Minnesota
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Minnesota
MSU Alum Having Career Year for Minnesota Vikings
Former Michigan State wide receiver and current Minnesota Viking Jalen Nailor has been terrific in his third season in the pros. As the third wide receiver on the field alongside Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison, Nailor has improved his career numbers in his now third year in the league.
Drafted in the sixth round of the 2022 NFL Draft out of MSU, the Vikings landed a strong piece to an even stronger offense in the Vikings. Nailor’s efforts since joining the Vikings have provided the franchise comfort knowing he is out on the field.
In his first season, Nailor played in 15 games, recording nine receptions in 13 targets. He posted 179 receiving yards in his rookie campaign, averaging 19.9 yards per reception. Receiving seven first downs in Year 1, the Vikings looked to get Nailor more involved on the roster in Year 2.
Though the team wanted to get more out of Nailor, they were unable to due to Nailor’s lack of time on the field. In his second season, Nailor only played in six games. In the six games, Nailor totaled only three receptions that went for 29 receiving yards. Nailor received one first down on the season before he was inactive in Weeks 15, 16 and 17.
In what would be a do-or-die season after a lackluster second-season campaign, Nailor made sure he reminded Viking fans why he belonged. Playing in 15 games for the Vikings this season, Nailor has dropped career highs in four different statistical categories. MSU fans should be proud of their former Spartan.
Nailor has 20 receptions, which is one of his new career highs, and he has totaled 280 yards, averaging 14 yards per reception. His best game on the season came against the Detroit Lions back in Week 7, where he recorded four receptions in five targets and got 76 receiving yards, averaging 19 yards per reception.
As the Vikings approach the postseason, Nailor should be a key piece to a deep playoff run if the Vikings make it as far. Minnesota, going into Week 17, has a record of 13-2 and should continue to be a force to take seriously for whoever it faces in the playoffs.
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