Breaking News

Community Voices

Why Minnesota taxpayer dollars funded fraud, not families

The fraud and financial waste exposed in Minnesota under Governor Tim Walz are not just scandals; they’re a display of radical negligence, proving he is entirely unfit to manage a single taxpayer dime or protect Minnesotans. The theft of $1 billion from vulnerable Minnesotans across our state’s human services program, including the notorious $250 million Feeding Our Future conspiracy, was not accidental. It happened because the Walz Administration allowed it. During the COVID pandemic, Walz’s reckless policies removed all financial guardrails from critical food aid programs. He ...

A year-end review

Another year has gushed through the culvert of time, leaving behind a scoured gully along with some unexpected and pleasant flotsam. The year 2025 began with my wife and I watching the famous ball drop in Times Square. Not in person, of course. We viewed it on TV, awakening from our prebedtime naps just in time to witness the blizzard of confetti and the singing of “Auld Lang Syne.” The meaning of that song’s title is as clear as a cup of mud. We had good reasons to be tired: we were in Kansas City, visiting our four-year-old grandson. Anyone who has spent time with ...

Reflecting on 2025; priorities for the year ahead

As 2025 draws to a close and Minnesotans enjoy a holiday season filled with family, friends, and, yes, snow, I wanted to take stock of what we’ve accomplished this year, reflect on some of the challenges we’ve faced, and look forward to the work ahead. This year started with the transition of power from one president to another. I chaired the bipartisan inauguration committee and spoke about the need to recommit to my North Star: finding common ground where I can and standing my ground where I must. Last Congress, during a highly partisan time, I was again ranked as one of the ...

Politics isn’t measured in words, it’s measured in results

Politics is a lot of talk. Sometimes, that conversation results in action. Other times, it fizzles out and gives way to the next headline, the issue forgotten and the solution left uncharted. In my decade as a Minnesota senator, I have seen dozens, maybe hundreds, of conversations bubble up and then pop before any meaningful reforms are signed into law. If we only talk and don’t act, nothing changes. From housing affordability to mental health, and from public safety to education, those of us who write our laws and decide how to spend the public’s money must remember that when ...

Nativity scenes show real meaning of Christmas

This past week I did something I hadn’t done since eighth grade by being one of the performers in a Nativity program. I portrayed one of the Wisemen. I had a gown, a cardboard crown and a gift for baby Jesus. It was the 10th year that Boulder Estates has done a nativity program for residents and the public. A minister, Pastor Nathan Delich of First Baptist Church near Marshall, narrated the scriptures and spoke about the readings. All the actors had to do was march in and sit in the nativity area. First came Mary and Joseph followed by Angel Gabriel. The audience was told how ...

Noting our city’s progress this past year

Improvements to our streets, facilities, trails and parks are a result of collective effort by our City Council, staff and local contractors. This past year the city has had several major projects that were completed. Local contractor R&G Construction assisted the city with the installation of an improved trail crossing at Highway 59 and A Street, a trail extension from Boyer Street to Windstar (near Aldi) and an improved trail crossing at County Road 7 for the Camden Trail. In late fall of this past year, contractor A&C Excavating started construction of a trail to Southview ...