Kare11
Medtronic CEO on newest procedure, future of medtech industry
As transformational as the pacemaker was, Martha believes a new Medtronic procedure, just approved by the FDA, will be even bigger.
MINNEAPOLIS — Seventy-five years ago, Medtronic, the world’s largest medical device company, was born. It was created in a garage in Minneapolis by two men who would go on to invent the pacemaker.
That device, according to today’s CEO, Geoff Martha, not only put Medtronic on the map, it kickstarted the entire medical technology industry. And Minnesota, he says, is now the world’s premier medtech hub.
As transformational as the pacemaker was, Martha believes a new Medtronic procedure, just approved by the FDA, will be even bigger.
It’s called The Symplicity Spyral program and it treats high blood pressure — in some cases, without drugs. In the outpatient procedure, a doctor inserts a metal tube near the kidneys and uses radio frequency energy to deaden the renal nerves, which lowers blood pressure.
“It’s, like, an hour-long procedure,” Martha says, “with mild sedation and really no pain.”
Patients are seeing double-digit decreases in blood pressure, which Martha says is massive.
“You know, just three or four points will reduce your risk of heart attack or stroke by 20 to 30 percent. I mean, these are big movements,” he said.
When you consider that 30 percent of adults worldwide have high blood pressure, you can understand why Martha is so confident in Symplicity’s potential.
“Well, look, we’re saying it’s a, you know, $100 billion market opportunity and, just 1% penetration is $1 billion of revenue for us.”
Martha cites other promising new procedures from Medtronic that treat everything from atrial fibrillation, a common problem in older people, to another common disease, diabetes.
Their new continuous glucose monitor, he says, is getting very close to mimicking a healthy pancreas. It’s keeping patients’ blood sugar in a healthy range more than 90 percent of the time.
All these advancements, Martha argues, aren’t just good for the company, they’re good for the entire state, attracting talent to Minnesota and driving economic growth.
As for Medtronic, it started 75 years ago with just two employees. It now employs 95,000 around the world — 10,000 of them right here in Minnesota.
As impressive as that is, Martha believes the medtech industry is at an inflection point. With the introduction of artificial intelligence, enhanced computing, and robotics into the MedTech space, the innovation of the next 10 or 20 years, he says, will dwarf the last 75.
According to Martha, “Sky’s the limit.”
Kare11
Metro Transit Police Chief resigns during investigation into hostile workplace, sexual harassment claims, sources say
Sources inside the department tell KARE11 14 employees brought forward complaints of a hostile workplace or sexual harassment.
MINNEAPOLIS — Sources inside Metro Transit have confirmed to KARE11 that Ernest Morales III, the now-former police chief, has resigned amid an investigation into his conduct. Those sources say that comes after 14 employees brought forward sexual harassment or hostile workplace complaints.
This comes after Morales was placed on leave in August. His personnel file from the Metropolitan Council shows he was placed on non-medical leave, though it did not disclose what the reason was.
The Metropolitan Council declined to comment on Morales or this situation, but instead spoke on safety initiatives.
“At Metro Transit, providing a safe and welcoming system for our riders and employees is a top priority,” a statement from the council reads. “Strengthening public safety is an agency-wide effort involving everyone, and this important work continues without disruption.”
In August, Morales shared that ridership is up and overall reported crime is down.
As of this article’s publishing, Morales is still listed as chief on Metro Transit’s website. A billboard across the street from Metro Transit’s office near Target Field still bears a recruiting ad featuring Morales as of Tuesday afternoon.
Metro Transit officials say Captain Joseph Dotseth has agreed to serve as Interim Metro Transit Police Chief.
A Tomah, Wisconsin man is charged with causing the death of Terry Dolowy, who officials say was decapitated and burned.
VIROQUA, Wis. — A man has been charged with murder in western Wisconsin, decades after a woman’s body was found decapitated and burned.
The charge of first-degree murder against Michael R. Popp was announced in a press conference Tuesday. According to Monroe County District Attorney Kevin Croninger, Popp was 21 at the time. He is now 60.
The case dates back to Feb. 14, 1985, when 24-year-old Terry Dolowy was last seen. She was found dead four days later, Croninger said, on Mohawk Valley Road, south of La Crosse.
Croninger said the charge against Popp comes amid new developments in forensic science. Vernon County District Attorney Angela Palmer-Fisher said the efforts of multiple counties and multiple generations brought them to the charge filed Tuesday.
Airport officials say the first room will open in Terminal 2 as early as 2027, with a second room opening the following year in Terminal 1.
MINNEAPOLIS — Traveling can be stressful, so officials with the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) are aiming to create a more calming atmosphere for passengers ahead of their flight.
The Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC) announced it will be partnering with Minnesota-based Fraser to design sensory rooms to provide passengers a chance to check some of the anxieties that come with travel. MAC officials say the first room will open in Terminal 2 as early as 2027, with a second room scheduled to open in Terminal 1 the following year.
“This is another major step to create a more accessible and inclusive airport experience, to help passengers with sensory sensitivities, or those who just need a quieter space to decompress before a flight,” said MAC CEO Brian Ryks in a release. “Through our Strategic Partnership program, we are expanding our relationship with Fraser, which has provided guidance and support to the MAC for many years to help us develop impactful accessibility programs and services at the airport.”
The first sensory room in Terminal 2 will be part of the North Expansion project, while the second room will open in Terminal 1’s G Concourse between gates G8 and G18. The rooms will include dimmable lighting, different seating options and “sensory-friendly furnishings,” according to the release.
“We are so honored to partner with MSP Airport to bring sensory-friendly spaces to individuals who need a different experience at the airport in order to travel,” said Fraser President and CEO Diane S. Cross in a release. “Our partnership with MSP Airport is a big step toward making Minnesota sensory-friendly for all.”
Metro Transit Police Chief resigns during investigation into hostile workplace, sexual harassment claims, sources say
Minnesota United had their reasons for signing Michael Boxall to extension
NYC Schools Chancellor David Banks announces retirement weeks after feds raided his home
Metro Transit Police Chief resigns during investigation into hostile workplace, sexual harassment claims, sources say
Minnesota United had their reasons for signing Michael Boxall to extension