Essentia Health unveiled a free tool that reads prescription labels aloud.
The tool is intended to better serve patients with low vision. Called ScripTalk, it uses text-to-speech technology to verbalize prescription labels for patients who cannot otherwise read them.
It relies on an electronic tag that Essentia pharmacists program and place on the container. When the tag is scanned by a smartphone app or set on the ScripTalk device, the prescription is read aloud.
The text-to-speech technology can speak in 25 languages, according to Essentia.
It is free and available through Essentia pharmacies by pick-up, mail or delivery where available. Patients can ask their pharmacy to use ScripTalk and those requests can be made by phone, email or in person.
When needed, the pharmacy team will connect the patient with a ScripTalk representative, who will make sure the patient understands the app, Essentia Health stated. If the patient needs the device, called a Station Reader, ScripTalk will mail it to them at no charge and will check in every six months to see if the patient wants to continue using it or if they want to begin using the app.
-
Plus: the federal government approved St. Louis County's public labor agreements for road and bridge projects; an additional 5,000 trees will be distributed in the ReForest Bemidji event; and four Northern Minnesota fire departments will host Women Explore Fire Day events on May 2, 2026. -
Lorie Shaull/KAXEResearch indicates that in the coming decades, the state is likely to see more risk days of wildfires starting on the ground due to more extreme droughts connected to climate change. -
Contributed/Madison McVan / Minnesota ReformerThe sites included autism service providers that received payments through Medicaid, according to a statement from the Minnesota Department of Human Services. -
Contributed/Cuyuna Lakes Mountain Bike CrewCelebrate International Women's Mountain Bike Day with the Cuyuna Lakes Mountain Bike Crew on May 2, 2026, at Miner's Mountain Rally Center in Ironton. -
Matt C/UnsplashWomen Explore Fire Day in Minnesota offers hands-on opportunities to learn more about volunteer, paid on-call and full-time positions in local fire departments in all regions. -
Contributed/Minnesota Department of Natural ResourcesAfter 10,000 tree seedlings were claimed within 48 hours, the ReForest Bemidji program secured an additional 5,000 trees for its distribution May 18, 2026. -
Lorie ShaullA recent national study found an increasing number of federal environmental impact statements are receiving significant contributions from citizen science data. -
The multi-bill omnibus signed April 21, 2026, allows happy hours for nursing home residents without a license and expands local authority in some Northern MN communities. -
Contributed/Brandon ChaseGet to know the volunteers behind the mic on KAXE. This week we find out more from the longtime host of "Green Cheese" and "On The River" volunteer, Brandon Chase. -
The bill would define e-bikes as having output of no more than 750 watts, and motorized bicycles, 750-1,500 watts. Anything with higher power is defined as an electric motorcycle.
