By Don Heinzman, Guest Columnist A survey of area school superintendents revealed that all educational opportunities for each Minnesota student are not equal. Joe Nathan, director of the Center for School Change at Macalester College and an education columnist for ECM Publishers and Sun Newspapers, contacted superintendents to see what their priorities were for this new  Read more »

By Sen. Al Franken, Guest Columnist We just marked the end of 2011 – a year lots of people are more than happy to put behind them. There is no doubt that 2012 is going to be tough, but as we go forward, I think there are reasons to be optimistic, especially in Minnesota. That’s why  Read more »

By Amy Rigelman, Guest Columnist “I first met Adam when I was 16. He was a senior and was very popular and involved in many sports. I had never had a boyfriend before, and I was excited that a popular boy was interested in me. “In the beginning, we hung out all the time and I  Read more »

By Abra Fisk Guest Columnist   It’s at this time of the year that many of us in Central Minnesota are looking for something bright and inspiring to take us away from the dreariness of winter, and for me, this story fits that theme perfectly. This past fall, I had the privilege and pleasure of  Read more »

By Rep. Mike LeMieur, Guest Columnist This week marked the beginning of the 2012 legislative session. This year’s agenda will focus on government reform focused on creating a competitive business climate, high performing education and a smaller, cost-effective government. Calling it Reform 2.0, we’ve traveled to dozens of cities for public meetings with business owners, local  Read more »

By Kate Festler, Guest Columnist At the end of World War II, our free, morally strong, wealthy nation became the envy of the world. Our soldiers sacrificed their lives and our people endured loss and hardship so that others could be free. Because our people lived by the golden rule, they became greatly respected by all.  Read more »

By Eric J. Magnuson, Guest Columnist Whether and how to expand legalized gambling in Minnesota is a significant social and political issue. It is not, however, an issue of constitutional magnitude. Gambling generally is not prohibited by the Minnesota Constitution, and legislative authorization of expanded gaming at horse-racing tracks, or “racinos,” is completely consistent with the  Read more »

By Catherine Stoch, Guest Columnist I write to express my concern related to the recent tree cutting and “pruning” by the city of Little Falls that occurred and is occurring in many sections of the city. I raised my concerns, with vague explanations from city representatives such as this cutting/pruning is being done for “safety reasons”  Read more »

By Jerome Brezinka, Guest Columnist Not long ago, Royalton Schools asked for an operating levy to help finance the needs in the district over the next six years. Unfortunately, the levy failed by a vote of 605 to 402. We all have our reasons for supporting or not supporting the levy, and they are all valid.  Read more »

By Bob Keeton, Guest Columnist If you’re one of those who’s fed up with “politics as usual,” join the club. If you’re one of those who wants to do something about it, join the DFL on caucus night Feb. 7, and at the voting booth next Nov. 6. You only have to do one thing to  Read more »

By Deanna Thompson, Guest Columnist Imagine that lurking feeling that someone is watching you. Imagine constantly looking over your shoulder to see if you’re being followed. Imagine a strange yet familiar car driving by your house, sometimes 10 times a day. Imagine gifts on your doorstep. Imagine being told “you should be happy that someone sent  Read more »

By Patty Wilczek, Guest Columnist It’s a new year, a clean slate and caucuses are coming. The beginning of the political year has already started as in the Iowa Caucuses Jan. 3. Our Minnesota Caucuses will be held Tuesday, Feb. 7, officially starting at 7 p.m. As Republican Party chairperson of Morrison County, I invite you  Read more »

By Gene Merriam and Dennis Ozment Guest Columnists Governor Dayton, legislative leaders and the Minnesota Vikings are working hard to find a deal they can all support to build a new stadium. Their discussions have brought the subject of expanded gambling to the forefront. While gambling proponents will always be there to push new casinos and  Read more »

By PETER J. MIKKELSON Guest Columnist Recently, the subject of the Amish and their failure to use slow moving vehicle signs has reappeared in Todd County. KSAX Television out of Alexandria had a two-part segment on the issue and there was a guest column in the Dairyland Peach and the Morrison County Record. Once again,  Read more »

By Don Heinzman, Guest Columnist One of the big stories in 2012 will be the need for Minnesota to reform its complicated and unbalanced taxing system. That story already is being developed by State Revenue Commissioner Myron Frans, as he continues his tour of the state presenting some eye-opening information about the system that needs reform.  Read more »