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The Chicago Tribune on coronavirus vaccine:

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 of “before.” Imagine again going to work and school, to restaurants and concerts without significant risk of infection. Imagine being able to travel. Imagine hugging family members and friends. We are likely to get there in 2021 because a safe, effective COVID-19 vaccine appears on pace for ...

Where is Biden’s energy policy headed?

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 Kerry as his climate change “envoy.” Then, late last week, there was speculation Biden may choose Mary Nichols to head the Environmental Protection Agency. Nichols’ current position is head of the California Air Board. She oversees the most stringent air quality regulations in the ...

Financial news good, but not great

Considering last May’s state revenue forecast, the new projections announced Tuesday are absolutely rosy. From a $2.4 billion shortfall in the current budget to a $641 million surplus is good news indeed. Even a projected $1.3 billion shortfall in the next budget is a welcome figure, compared to the $4.7 billion deficit projected in May. But good news is not great news, sometimes. The deficit in the coming biennium must be dealt with, and care must be taken to use the surplus this year in a responsible manner. Gov. Tim Walz indicated Tuesday that a primary use for the money should ...

Remote learning evaluation

COVID-19 has been an enormous challenge to the nation’s public school system. It has forced tens of millions of students to stay at home, often for months at a time, rather than go to class. Give educators credit for doing what they could with “remote learning.” Thrown suddenly into a whole new way of trying to reach students, many teachers have done remarkably well. Still, there is no substitute for having students in seats in front of a teacher. In the wake of the epidemic, the great task facing educators will be finding better ways to teach children at a distance, should ...

Trump can fix CARES Act flaw

Unless members of Congress find some way to compromise and give Americans an early Christmas through a new round of COVID-19 relief funding, the holiday season will be grim for tens of millions of people. President Donald Trump can do little about that — but he can do something. Among many flaws in the original CARES Act was a provision that states had to spend all the money allocated to them under the bill by Dec. 30. In March, that may have seemed reasonable. But the powers-that-be in Washington, where money flows out like gravy on Thanksgiving Day, failed to take into account the ...

‘Shop local’ means more now than ever

"Shop local.” Yea, we know. You read that every year about this time. This year, though, “shop local” is more than a holiday slogan. It’s an urgent plea. More than a few local businesses face dire circumstances as this COVID-19 pandemic rages. Central Minnesotans must do all they can to help these locally owned and operated entities make it through this year. As everyone knows by now, for the second time in less than nine months, COVID-19 has forced at least a month long closure of bars, restaurants, entertainment and recreation venues and more. Necessary restrictions ...