Expert Alert
June 2007

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Supreme Court strikes down old antitrust law on minimum retail pricing; decision could mean higher prices for consumers
June 29, 2007

On Thursday the U.S. Supreme Court struck down a nearly century-old rule on minimum retail pricing. The change could limit the pricing practices of discounters and give more power to producers to set retail prices. Advocates of the new rule change argue that the change will lead to better service and more competition. Dissenters believe the change will lead to higher prices and less competition. A University of Minnesota expert who can discuss the issue is:

Akshay Rao, University of Minnesota Carlson School marketing professor
According to Rao, a marketing and retail pricing expert, “It’s more than likely that prices will rise for the end consumer.”

Rao’s profile link: http://www.carlsonschool.umn.edu/marketinginstitute/arao

To interview Rao, call (952) 484-9653.

U of M expert available for interviews on possible “Veggie Booty” salmonella outbreak
June 29, 2007

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is warning consumers not to eat Veggie Booty snack food, marketed by Robert’s American Gourmet, due to possible contamination with Salmonella. The FDA advises consumers to throw away any Robert’s American Gourmet brand Veggie Booty they have in their home. The University of Minnesota Extension has an expert available who can talk about salmonella poisoning and how Veggie Booty might have been contaminated:

Joellen Feirtag, U of M Extension food science and nutrition expert
According to Feirtag, if the food is in fact contaminated, because Veggie Booty is baked, any pathogens should have been killed in the baking process.

“Two potential causes of contamination of the product are, one, the bake step was not adequate and did not meet the criteria for killing pathogens,” said Feirtag, “or two, the product was contaminated after the bake step before packaging or a combination of both.”

To interview Feirtag, contact Julie Christensen at (612) 626-4077, reuve007@umn.edu or Justin Ware at (612) 626-1720, ware@umn.edu.

Minnesota has highest bald eagle population in lower 48 states
June 28, 2007

The bald eagle, America’s national symbol, was taken off the endangered species list this morning. For the past few centuries, the special bird has gone from near extinction during the time of American expansion, to a thriving, stable species today. A University of Minnesota expert who can comment on the delisting of the bald eagle is:

Juli Ponder, University of Minnesota Raptor Center Executive Director
Ponder has studied and worked with bald eagles as a veterinarian for over 15 years. She can discuss the thriving of bald eagle populations, why it has happened and the current legislation that protects them.

To interview Ponder, contact Drew Swain at (612) 625-8962 or dswain@umn.edu

Law School professor available to speak about law enforcement on Indian reservations
- Professor to testify before U.S. Senate Committee on Indian Affairs -
June 20, 2007

Crime and public safety on Indian Reservations throughout the country has arisen as a critical issue in recent months. A report released this spring by Amnesty International "Maze of Injustice: The Failure to Protect Indigenous Women from Sexual Violence in the USA,” brought the issue into the spotlight even more.

University of Minnesota Law School professor Kevin Washburn, an expert on American Indian Law, Indian gaming and Tribal Court, will testify about law enforcement in Indian Country before the U.S. Senate Committee on Indian Affairs Thursday morning in Washington, D.C.

“One of the things I’m going to argue is that the models of criminal justice that are responsible for poor public safety in Indian country have emasculated tribal governmental systems and made state and the federal officials the primary providers of public safety in Indian country,” Washburn says. “Both tribal self-governance and public safety are better served when tribes exercise a central role in providing public safety and criminal justice on Indian reservations.”

He says that any reform proposal aimed at improving public safety on reservations needs to focus on cooperation among existing law enforcement agencies.

To interview Washburn, contact Patty Mattern, University News Service, (612) 624-2801 or Drew Swain, University News Service, (612) 625-8962.

University of Minnesota national expert on Title IX available for media interviews
June 20, 2007

Saturday marks the 35th anniversary of Title IX, the landmark federal legislation requiring gender equity in education and athletics. The law was enacted on June 23, 1972. Mary Jo Kane is a leading national expert on Title IX who has written extensively on the social and political implications of the law. She is available to discuss the impact, criticisms of and the future of Title IX.

Kane, a professor of sport sociology and the director of the Tucker Center for Research on Girls & Women in Sport in the College of Education and Human Development
Kane can discuss the numerous myths and misrepresentations surrounding Title IX, such as the myth that Title IX forces schools to drop men’s sports.

“Title IX brought about a sea change in American society when it comes to athletic opportunities for girls and women,” Kane said. “In one generation, we have gone from young girls hoping that there is a team, to young girls hoping that they'll make the team.”

To interview Kane, contact Patty Mattern at (612) 624-2801 or matte016@umn.edu.

Abundant rain could end up drowning crops
- U of M Extension expert talks about flooding and how it affects corn and soybeans -
June 5, 2007

Too much rain can be just as deadly to a farmer’s field as a drought, according to a University of Minnesota Extension expert.

Dale Hicks, U of M department of agronomy and plant genetics
According to Hicks, a number of factors determine how long crops can survive over-abundant rain, but submerged fields are never a good thing.

“Corn and soybeans can tolerate flooded conditions for a few days and recover with only a limited effect providing the stand (plants that are not killed) is left intact,” said Hicks. “(However) both will die rather quickly if completely covered with water.”

Hicks is available to talk about how long corn and soybeans can last in flooded conditions, such as those in western Minnesota.

To interview Hicks, contact Justin Ware, (612) 626-1720 or Julie Christensen, (612) 624-4077.