Opinions

It’s time for some serious soul-searching

I spent all day last Saturday at the Synod Assembly for the Southeast Minnesota Synod of the ELCA. As a result I did not check the news feed on my phone until I got home in the evening. When I did look at it the first thing that popped up was a headline about a mass shooting in Texas. Another...

Your family farm can benefit southern Minnesota’s future

As president of Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF) I travel across our region nearly every day visiting people and places in the 20 counties that we serve. Over the 16 years that I have worked at SMIF, I have watched farming practices change and adapt. As someone who comes from a...

I Was Thinking... Do It Yourself

The ability to do it yourself often is a badge of pride for many people. If you can do it yourself, you can eliminate the need to call in somebody else and can save yourself money. And if you don’t know how to do it, there is probably a YouTube video that can give you step by step instructions....

Information for veterans eligible for PACT Act benefits

From the muddy fields of Vietnam to the sands of Afghanistan and Iraq, our servicemembers and veterans have always answered the call, fighting valiantly for our country at great personal risk. Over time, we have seen the severe and lasting consequences of their sacrifices—and in particular, their...

As marijuana bill poised to become law, there are still issues to address

Minnesota is about to become the 23rd state in the nation to approve the use of recreational marijuana by adults. Both the Minnesota House and the Minnesota Senate approved legalization last week. The bills now go to a conference committee to work out the final wording of a bill that will again...

‘I am the vine, you are the branches’ — Jesus

The month of May is here and it is so wonderful to drive around and see farmers out on their fields planting their seeds and people getting more and more out of their homes, enjoying the fun activities that come with this season. Pretty soon, our family will be out in our back yard in our little...

I Was Thinking... So Different

For about two weeks in March, my wife and I escaped the frozen ground, wind chill, and snow of Minnesota and headed to Gulf Shores, Alabama. We were like so many others from Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, and Minnesota, who wanted something different. When we walked into our rented condo from...

Omnibus bills arrive for Senate floor debate

It was a busy week in Saint Paul with many late nights. Senate Omnibus bills have made their way to the floor and have been matched with spirited debates. If you wish to stay up to date, the Senate webpage has a lot of resources to keep Minnesotans informed: 2023 Omnibus Budget and Policy Bills...

Minnesota close to joining states with legal marijuana for adults

As this opinion piece is being written, the Minnesota House of Representatives is debating a bill that would legalize recreational marijuana use for adults in the state. The Minnesota State Senate is scheduled to vote on the bill tomorrow (Friday). The House began debating the bill late Monday...

I Was Thinking... It’s Just Temporary

I don’t like change. It probably has a lot to do with my age. Nowadays, everything seems to be changing too fast. This is a common complaint of people who grew up pre-internet, pre-cell phones, and pre- streaming. Phones were attached to a line, people went to the library for research, and to see a...