The Mayo Clinic confirmed Friday that U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. (D-Ill.) is being treated for depression at its hospital in Rochester. The Mayo's statement provided the first details of why the son of civil rights leader Jesse Jackson mysteriously went on a medical leave from Congress several weeks ago. The Mayo said Jesse Jackson Jr. is undergoing an extensive inpatient evaluation for depression and for gastrointestinal issues.

A Minnesota doctor said Saturday that U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr.'s transfer to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester could indicate a complicating physical illness. The Mayo disclosed Friday that the Illinois politician was being treated for depression and a gastrointestinal illness, the first official words on Jackson's health since he secretly took a leave of absence from Congress seven weeks ago.

More details are surfacing about the reason Illinois Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. checked into the Mayo Clinic in Rochester last week for treatment of his depression. Sandi Jackson, the wife of the Congressman, says her husband is suffering from depression that has been "debilitating" and even caused him to collapse at their home in Washington.

Rochester-based Mayo Clinic and Minneapolis-based Fairview Health Services have signed a tentative agreement to transfer control of Red Wing Medical Center. Mayo Clinic Health System hopes to assume operations by July 1. The deal follows months of discussion.

The two health care providers began reviewing the potential merger about five months ago. A Fairview Red Wing official told the Republican Eagle that a final decision is expected to be made in the next several months. Lake City and Cannon Falls are already part of the Mayo Clinic Health System.

The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating a helicopter crash that killed two Mayo Clinic employees in Florida. The Star Tribune reports the two Jacksonville hospital employees were flying to the University of Florida Monday to retrieve organs. A spokeswoman with the FAA says neither the employees nor the pilot survived after crashing northeast of Palatka, Florida.