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Develop a healthy sense of skepticism

Russia and other foreign foes continue to probe both election mechanisms and the political network in this country in attempts to find ways to commit mischief electronically, it is being reported. With the presidential election three month away, that comes as no surprise. There is little most Americans can do to prevent foreign operatives from hacking into digital election systems, though it needs to be noted the vast majority of those in the U.S. appear to be relatively secure. Still less can we influence candidates and political organizations whose communications may be at ...

School opening plan offers local flexibility

Gov. Tim Walz and his Health and Education Commissioners laid out a plan for reopening schools this fall in the age of COVID-19 that offers local school districts some flexibility about the kind of education they offer. Instead of a one-size-fits-all plan that decrees all districts must have distance learning, for example, or a “do whatever you want” plan that leaves the decision entirely up to the districts, the Minnesota Safe Learning Plan will have districts work with the state to determine where they stand in relation to COVID-19 cases. Counties with lower case loads per ...

Bonding: House Republicans failed outstate projects

If you’re waiting for a new water treatment plant in your small town, you’ll have to wait longer. If you’re waiting for repairs to a leaky roof at your local community college, you’ll have to wait longer. In Mankato, if you were hoping for funding to stop the main source of drinking water from being overwhelmed by flooding on the Minnesota River, you’re up a creek without a paddle. If you’re wondering why these projects are not happening, ask House GOP Minority Leader Kurt Daudt and your local GOP legislators who voted against bonding in a political effort to get Gov. Tim ...

Short Takes

Wearing masks a health issue THUMBS DOWN: The mask debate is getting a little ridiculous at times. Minnesota Republican Party, Jennifer Carnahan, earlier this week, had to apologize for an offensive post shared by the Republican Party of Wabasha County. The post compared Gov. Tim Walz to North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un. On Tuesday House Republican Leader Kurt Daudt jokingly told fellow Minnesota Republicans during a retreat in Brainerd that they were lawbreakers for not wearing their masks. “I assure you these masks aren’t designed to keep you safe. These are designed to make ...

SROs should have place in schools

Calls for change in law enforcement range from those demanding that police departments be virtually disbanded to others insisting on better training for officers and more accountability for the few rogues among them. Common to most reform proposals is that law enforcement personnel be more engaged in constructive relationships with their communities. But many police officers and sheriffs’ deputies have been doing just that for many years — and, incredibly, some are calling for those initiatives to be abandoned. Such involvement goes by various names. Perhaps the most recognizable ...

Time to act is now on new coronavirus aid package

Debate over a new coronavirus relief package continues in Congress and at the White House. Disagreements are both legitimate and political, but one thing ought to be obvious to all involved: Millions of Americans will be in very real financial trouble if a deal is not achieved quickly. Outlines of the proposal call for it to include $1 trillion in aid to individuals, families, companies, organizations and local and state governments, including public schools. Agreement seems to end there, however. One important, essential act by Congress need not involve appropriating more money. It ...