1410 WIZM

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is reopening its Blackhawk Park, near De Soto after high water flooded access to the park.

Park rangers are opening approximately 50 percent of the sites on a walk in or first come, first serve basis.

As the water continues to recede, the Corps hopes to open additional sites in time for Labor Day weekend.

State Senator, Julie Lassa lashed out at the Wisconsin Economic Development

DULUTH, Minn. (AP) Minnesota doctors say prescription drug abuse is a severe problem in the state and they often feel caught between patients who need pain medication and those who say they should do more to curb abuse.

A long-time state drug abuse safety officer, Carol Falkowski, told members of the Minnesota Medical Association on Thursday that prescription drug abuse now causes more deaths than motor vehicle accidents do. She says many patients will do almost anything to get drugs like OxyContin, including stealing them.

Many doctors at the meeting agreed abuse was a problem. But doctors also say they get blamed whether they prescribe the drugs or not. Dr. Paul Sanford says it's like waltzing in a mine field.

SHEBOYGAN, Wis. (AP) Patients at Wisconsin hospitals have less of a chance of getting a serious infection than most nationwide.

An annual report from the state Division of Public Health shows Wisconsin hospitals have significantly reduced the number of the most serious infections and now have a rate below the national average.

Among the things the report looked at is the risk of getting infected by dirty needles. Wisconsin hospitals average less than one. The national average is one.

Affinity Health System's Infections Prevention Coordinator Brenda Ehlert says that emphasis on hand-washing helped reduce infection rates, along with close monitoring of patients' need for medications and fluids.

Hospital officials say they are striving to eliminate infections.