Deanna Pistono, MinnPost Journalist Profile

Articles

Health grant cuts upended research, services in Minnesota

1 week ago | minnpost.com | Ana Radelat |Deanna Pistono

WASHINGTON — The University of Minnesota says it braces every day for an unwelcome notice — that a federal grant it has been awarded for scientific and medical research has been abruptly canceled. “It’s having a very devastating impact,” said Kimberly Kirkpatrick, the university’s associate vice president for research.
Students, artists combat racism through upcoming exhibit at Mia

1 week ago | minnpost.com | Deanna Pistono

An art museum and a health insurance company don’t seem like the likeliest of partners. But for four years, the Teen Perspectives program, supported by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota and run by the Minneapolis Institute of Art (Mia) has allowed students to reflect on issues of health equity. High school students, alongside artists from around the Twin Cities, work with different mediums and discover their individual artistic voice during the program.
Is Minnesota the only US state with an orchid for a state flower? - MinnPost

1 week ago | minnpost.com | Deanna Pistono

Minnesota’s state flower, the pink-and-white lady slipper (also known as the showy lady slipper or the queen’s lady slipper), is the only state flower that is a member of Orchidaceae, the orchid family. Some flowers are shared by multiple states. The most common state flower is the rose, variations of which are claimed by Georgia, Iowa, New York, North Dakota and Oklahoma.
Is it legal to sell human remains as oddities in Minnesota? - MinnPost

2 weeks ago | minnpost.com | Deanna Pistono

No.A 2024 bill made it a felony to sell human remains as oddities, a term used for unusual commodities such as taxidermy, bugs and bones. HF3490 banned the sale of human remains under almost all circumstances in Minnesota. The only exceptions are to medical institutions/practitioners, companies registered with the Food and Drug Administration for research purposes, or to law enforcement, search and rescue units and other emergency management in order to train dogs to find dead bodies.
Is Adderall the same as methamphetamine?

3 weeks ago | minnpost.com | Deanna Pistono

While the amphetamine in Adderall and methamphetamine are related, there are differences in their chemistry and effects. Dr. Zishan Khan, cited in Healthline, called Adderall and methamphetamine “chemical cousins.” Adderall is a medication that contains a mixture of amphetamines, not including methamphetamine. Methamphetamine is an amphetamine with an added CH3 molecule, a process known as methylation.
Why area residents and fellows are choosing to unionize

3 weeks ago | minnpost.com | Deanna Pistono

Dr. Chrissy Grech, a third-year internal medicine resident at Hennepin County Medical Center (HCMC), says it’s a “golden weekend” when a resident gets two days off in a row. And while people may associate doctors with large salaries, that’s not true of residents, who, while they have their medical degree, are practicing medicine during a period of supervision after medical school.
Does Minnesota have toll roads?

3 weeks ago | minnpost.com | Deanna Pistono

While motorists may pay a fee to access some high-occupancy express lanes in Minnesota, no full state roads require a toll, which some states use to fund highway maintenance. During the peak commuting hours of 6-10 a.m. and 3-7 p.m. on weekdays, single-occupant vehicles may pay a fee to use express lanes on I-394, I-35W and I-35E in the Twin Cities metro area. Fees range from 25 cents to $8 and require an electronic E-ZPass tag.
Black joy: Changing the narrative

4 weeks ago | minnpost.com | Deanna Pistono

For Trinny Mogaka, a junior at Champlin Park High School, Black joy simply looks like “being happy and being Black.”“You don’t have to do anything for it. You don’t have to have this great accomplishment. You don’t have to struggle so much until you’ve made it,” said Mogaka.
Area K’nyaw students connect with their roots in Thailand

1 month ago | minnpost.com | Deanna Pistono

Shem Paw, who is majoring in elementary education at Bethel University, met four of her cousins on a trip to Thailand this January. Previously, she had only ever spoken to them on the phone. “My mom would hand me the phone (and) just tell me to talk with my cousin. And I was just uncomfortable because I wasn’t close with them, I didn’t know about them,” said Paw. Paw is one of five K’nyaw students, who, along with 13 other Bethel University students recently went to Thailand.
Was Prince a trained ballet dancer?

1 month ago | minnpost.com | Deanna Pistono

Prince, perhaps the most famous artist to have been born and raised in Minneapolis, was trained in ballet through the city’s Urban Arts program. The program connected him with the Minnesota Dance Theatre (MDT), where he took dance classes. After his success as a musician and songwriter, Prince continued to support the MDT.