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Minnesota politicians face belt-tightening decisions

The State of Minnesota’s November Budget and Economic Forecast was released last week. According to the Minnesota Management and Budget, the budget for fiscal year 2026-27 includes a $2.465 billion surplus. However, in 2028-29, the state is projected to have a $2.96 billion deficit. Depending on who you talk to, there’s plenty of optimism. There is also warnings of doom and gloom. And of course, finger pointing. “Despite the president’s tariff and destabilization of health care costs, Minnesota’s annual budget forecast has improved in both the short and long term thanks to ...

Support local retailers

Christmas is just weeks away and millions of Americans will be perusing for bargains at their favorite retailers. For those of us who have chosen to live in small communities the drive to a large mall or box store might be hours away and not very convenient when the roads are bad and daylight hours are few. Some will take solace in front of their computer screen while sipping their hot cup of coffee to shop from the convenience of their home and not venture out into the cold. Amazon is now the go to place for many when it comes to shopping. It is so successful that its creator ...

Give thanks for the food on community tables

Thanksgiving dinner will cost less this year compared to the last two years, according to the Minnesota Farm Bureau. The bureau’s shared its Thanksgiving meal survey in a Monday release. “The American Farm Bureau Federation’s 40th annual Thanksgiving dinner survey provides a snapshot of the average cost of Thanksgiving staples that make up a classic holiday feast for 10, which is $55.18 or about $5.52 per person,” the Bureau stated. “This is a 5% decrease from 2024. Three years of declines don’t fully erase dramatic increases that led to a record-high cost of $64.05 in ...

Lyon Co. board should have addressed nuclear waste storage issue

Last week, Lyon County Commissioners voted to join a number of other Minnesota counties in signing a resolution urging state legislators to lift the moratorium on new nuclear energy development in the state. Sherburne County commissioners have been sending letters to other counties throughout the state to join the Minnesota Nuclear Energy Alliance which is a partnership calling on state lawmakers to lift the moratorium. “Through our administrator’s group, I see a lot of counties will be taking this up, either today or probably before the end of the year,” Lyon County ...

Seeing veterans light up with appreciation worth every stitch

“You’ll see the sparkle in their eyes.” Area Quilts of Valor representative Nancy McClain was quoted after a ceremony held for veterans being awarded quilts at the Lyon County Fair in August. Fast forward to Veterans Day on Nov. 11 and that sparkle in the eyes of veterans returned. “You all, every single one of you, matter to all of us,” McClain told another group of veterans awarded quilts of valor ceremony at Boulder Estates in Marshall. “A lot of people think this is just another day, but it’s not,” McClain also said. Thanks to numerous volunteers and local ...

Vote yes on Marshall Public Schools $2M operating referendum

The Marshall school district is one of the better school districts in the state. It is a source of pride for the community and a major asset when families consider relocating to Marshall. Its sports teams’ success is nearly unrivaled in the state and it can point to many academic successes as well. We would hate to see this jeopardized by not financially supporting our schools to maintain its existing programs. The school district has had to tap into its reserves in recent years to meet its operating expenses. Unfortunately, it cannot continue doing that as doing so could leave ...