Opinions

Wildcats story meant for Hollywood

I write an estimate of at least 500 bylines a year. Over the course of a decade-long career…well it’s a lot of stories! Like most reporters, there are some stories I don’t remember, or forget all of the details. Then there comes along stories made for Hollywood, likely never to be forgotten. In...

Congratulations to Triton BPA, Hayfield Citizen of the Year

Congratulations are in order this week to the members of the Triton Business Professionals of America (BPA) Chapter and to Kasey Krekling, teacher and coach at Hayfield Community Schools. Triton’s BPA Chapter historically has done very well at the State and National events but this year they have...

Legislative Update

We are now wrapping up the third week of the legislative session, and instead of working to address the real issues facing Minnesotans, the minority party has chosen to shut down the legislature. While they are out doing photo ops, House Republicans are at the Capitol, meeting with constituents,...

Next Tuesday is ‘Township Day’

resident of Minnesota’s 1,776 townships has the unique opportunity to participate in Township Day. This annual event is a chance for residents to engage directly with their local government in a way that sets townships apart from other forms of governance. The annual meeting held on Township Day...

New grant rounds create new possibilities

Happy Spring! Or at least that’s how it’s been feeling after Minnesota’s annual cold front. Exciting things are happening at the Capitol! From critical infrastructure projects and highway safety improvements to meaningful conversations with community leaders, there’s a lot to share. As tax season...

Nelson bills receive Senate hearing

More than 1,700 bills introduced in Minnesota Senate

It may only be February, but the Capitol is humming with over 1,700 bills already introduced in the Senate. The House is finally in session as boycotting DFL members have now returned to the Capitol. I’m committed to tackling important issues. Two pressing and connected issues are Minnesota’s fraud...

Heartache while displaying the most noble intentions

How much can one family endure? I can’t help but wonder if that’s what Nan Wandrey of Owatonna and the rest of her family are thinking. They have endured an extraordinary amount of pain and suffering over the past several years culminating with the loss of Wandrey’s daughter last month in a heart...

Do you want lead in your drinking water?

Raise your hand if you want lead in your water. No hands? We thought so. Congress Moves to Repeal Lead Limits Imposed by Biden-Era Rules. Congress is attempting to repeal the Biden administration’s groundbreaking rules that require all the country’s very old lead pipes to be replaced over the next...

School districts continue to suffer from unfunded mandates

The total amount of funding designated for public education during the last legislative session was regarded as historic. It may have been historic based on the amount, BUT it was not allocated to school districts to use for their own specific needs. Substantial funding was provided for free...