So, how worried should people be about COVID-19? What do they need to do to keep themselves and their loved ones safe? There is reason for concern about COVID-19, the coronavirus that has spread to 50 countries after breaking out in China. As of Thursday morning, the disease had killed about ...
Millions of American boys, along with millions of others worldwide, became better men because of the Boy Scouts. For them, the more than century-old organization helped build character and taught valuable skills. But more than 12,000 boys in the Scouts became victims of the adults they and ...
If one were to hear that the federal government was launching an investigation into allegations of human experimentation and other medical treatment concerns, one would be inclined to believe that such a probe involved looking at some totalitarian regime overseas. And one might wonder if this ...
By Doug Loon, Tamara Nelsen, John Hausladen and Kevin Paap Business owners invest in Minnesota’s future every day. They invest in their employees and their communities. They invest in their business needs — equipment, workforce — to grow, many times before company profit is a ...
In one week, Minnesota will hold its presidential primary election, one of a number of states conducting such contests on what is known as “Super Tuesday.” A total of 14 will hold their presidential preference contests that day. First and foremost, of course, we encourage citizens to ...
Proud supporter of FFA To the Editor: Martin County and Minnesota Farm Bureau salutes FFA during National FFA Week from Feb. 22-29. This week is a great reminder of the many reasons why Farm Bureau maintains such strong support for the FFA program. Farm Bureau invests in FFA throughout ...
A temporary truce took effect Friday in Afghanistan. It is meant to create the circumstances for the United States and the Taliban to reach a peace deal this week. Such a deal would end an 18-year commitment by U.S. military forces in that nation. Ending the U.S. presence in Afghanistan would ...
County ready to lobby Martin County commissioners this week agreed to pay $20,000 to a lobbyist to aid the county securing a $20 million grant from the state of Minnesota to help pay for the cost of a new justice center/jail. The $20 million would cover about half of the cost of the new ...
Make Census count To the Editor: As with every year ending in zero, the U.S. Census Bureau performs the decennial census. The 2020 Census is going to be a little different. Minimal mailings will take place, and most information will be collected digitally (online). In March, individuals ...
The state of Minnesota has a big, fat $1 billion budget surplus and the Republicans who control the state Senate have a great idea: Give it back to the taxpayers. They call it the “Get Your Billion Back” plan. A state budget surplus means that the state is collecting more in revenue than ...
Everyone wants lower prices for prescription drugs. Every politician says they want it too. Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison is the latest. On Wednesday, he unveiled a task force report that makes 14 recommendations to accomplish the goal. State lawmakers already are considering some ...
So-called “red flag” laws have been suggested by some as at least a partial answer to keeping firearms away from those who might use them to harm themselves or others. But experiences in Florida, which has had such a statute for nearly three years, indicate a variety of concerns about ...
Things are about to get very real in the next month for Democrats who are looking to choose a presidential nominee. A huge slate of delegates is up for grabs in many states in early March on Super Tuesday. We hope those who are interested in the process and future of the country step ...
Join in the experience To the Editor: As the executive director of Red Rock Center for the Arts, I am very proud of the quality of entertainment we bring to the community at a very affordable price. It is our goal to reach beyond our four historic walls and bring opportunities out into the ...
Tax proposal hits snag The city of Fairmont this week earns some frowns for news about its possible half-cent local option sales tax to pay for better streets. Because the city rushed the process to get its plan to the Legislature, the whole proposal is now in serious doubt. While city ...
Within just a few days, four police officers — two in New York City and two in Forrest City, Arkansas — were shot by gunmen. A grim fact of life for law enforcement personnel is that by the time you read this, it may be outdated. Attacks on police officers and sheriff’s deputies have ...
Some other governments spare no effort to gain advantage over U.S. businesses and consumers. Trade barriers and unreasonable restrictions in the name of product safety are examples. But some — including China — are involved in all-out assaults on Americans. Theft of U.S. companies’ ...
Piecemeal socialism To the Editor: It looks as if Norman M. Thomas’ observation back in 1944 has pretty well come true. He was a leading American socialist, pacifist and six-time presidential candidate for the Socialist Party of America. Thomas said this in a 1944 speech: “The ...
A pleasant surprise To the Editor: On Friday, Feb. 7, Dan and I had some errands to do and decided that we would also go have lunch just to get out of the house and treat ourselves. After we were finished with the errands, we went to Green Mill, where we experienced a very pleasant ...
These days, it seems as if there is an “app” for everything. But the fiasco last week with the Iowa Democratic Party’s presidential nominating caucuses is a reminder that the appeal of new technology needs to be tempered by concern over reliability. Iowa’s caucus process is the first ...