The world’s scientists have completed their miraculous mission of developing a COVID-19 vaccine. Now, the focus shifts to actually giving people the shots. This is a massive challenge that will take months at a minimum to accomplish. Fortunately, Minnesotans will be able to closely monitor ...

It has been the worst American year since at least 1968, or 1862, or, arguably, ever. It has, however, provided episodes that will amaze and perhaps amuse a calmer future America. There has been feverish statue-toppling: Up with “social justice,” so down with Ulysses S. Grant, pulverizer ...

When politicians talk about “the science,” they often limit discussion to their science. As long as we understand that, we can defend ourselves by checking more reliable sources. But what happens when the politicians start tinkering with primary sources — with reports from government ...

Distribution of millions of doses of vaccine effective against COVID-19 was no Christmas miracle. It happened only because many people at private drug companies worked hard and at top speed — encouraged by the federal government — to develop and test the vaccines. And they were released ...

There’s an old saying in politics: “When it’s clear you’ve lost, declare victory and depart the field of battle.” That would have been easy for 6th District U.S. Rep. Tom Emmer, because the National Republican Congressional Committee chairman had a lot of victories to declare ...

It is Christmas Eve, one like nothing in our memories. In too many homes, the silence tonight is painful, not comforting. It is the absence of precious family members, cherished friends, neighbors who were more than that. We are assaulted by something that on this holy night is an unholy ...

It seems difficult sometimes to keep up with all the lawsuits against drug companies without a scorecard. But the more we learn about the truly evil practices in which some engaged, the more it seems the punishment cannot be too harsh. A bipartisan congressional report issued last week ...

We urge area residents thinking of going over the river and through the woods to grandma’s house this Christmas to bear one thing in mind: We are not out of the woods yet. In many ways, COVID-19 is more dangerous than ever in most states. In Minnesota, 406 people died from COVID-19 in the ...

Minnesotans hold dear their right to vote and this year was no different. Nearly 80% of eligible voters participated in the November election, making us No. 1 in the nation in turnout. As in the Mankato region, the election was carried out smoothly all across the state. And yet, a state ...

Folks depending on Congress to act THUMBS DOWN: Folks are hurting. Evidence of that could be seen Thursday on Lyon and Fifth streets as vehicles lined up to enter the Holy Redeemer School, parking lot. It was there that workers with the Lutheran Social Service handed out packaged free ...

A bipartisan coalition of U.S. senators and representatives is pushing for enactment of a new COVID-19 relief bill, priced at about $900 billion. Both Democrats and Republicans involved in the effort say that in the spirit of compromise, some provisions they wanted were left out of the ...

The U.S. electoral college convened on Monday and, as expected, cast the votes that officially declare former Vice President Joe Biden to be the president-elect of the United States. It’s official, and all the tweeting and public declarations from President Donald Trump about how his victory ...

Reforming law enforcement agencies where the stain of bigotry remains a threat to the public is important. We have no doubt the vast majority of men and women in the profession agree with that. But hamstringing them is not the answer. It not only discriminates against good cops, it also has ...

In a sign of just how far President Donald Trump can wield his influence by threat, Minnesota’s GOP members of Congress have been silent on his baseless claims, bullying behavior and rampant retaliation in regard to his election loss. Minnesotans should be scared and worried that these duly ...

Normally, we who live in New Ulm would have little to no interest in how the Minneapolis city government sets up its budget. But these are not normal times. The nation is watching what the Minneapolis City Council is doing with its proposal to cut $8 million from the city’s police budget and ...

Gov. Tim Walz is cautiously optimistic that the first doses of a COVID-19 vaccine could be coming around Christmas time. The state is expected to receive — if information from the federal government remains firm — some 46,000 doses of the Pfizer vaccine as early as next week, and 136,000 ...

Many U.S. hospitals are under siege because of COVID-19. Both in personnel and other resources, they need all the help they can get. Earlier this year, when most people thought the epidemic would peak by this fall, Congress acted wisely by including in the CARES Act a provision suspending ...

A second round of federal COVID-19 relief money, more than $900 billion, may be on its way to Americans soon. Thank a group of U.S. senators and representatives who have grown sick of the partisan bickering that has delayed a new relief bill for months. They are unlike many politicians, ...

In three separate announcements in recent weeks, three scientific teams at different pharmaceutical companies have given a weary, frightened world what it needs: a verifiable path to defeat the coronavirus pandemic, end the suffering and start the process of returning life to the normal rhythms ...

During his successful election campaign, President-elect Joe Biden insisted he did not favor a “green new deal” approach to energy. Now, however, it appears he may be poised to deliver a one-two punch in that very direction. First, Biden said he will name former secretary of state John ...