A better way to write Minnesota’s ballot questions?
from Wry Wing Politics by Joe Loveland
The Legislature and Governor could pass a statute to create a “Ballot Initiative Commission,” or some such proper sounding name. The Commission’s job would be to develop the wording of ballot summaries, which means neither the Legislature nor the Secretary of State would have drafting authority in the future.
Chaska-Chanhassen HS math test score gap narrows again
from Brick City Blog by Sean Olsen
The gap in math performance between the two high schools has been a major concern since the first test results were released in 2010 and showed a 27-point gap between the two schools that was largely driven by Chaska High School’s disappointing 43.6% result.
More than a sandwich
from Mr. Dilettante's Neighborhood by Mark Heuring
I think that's right. We're going to get gay marriage in this country eventually. In the greater scheme of things, it's actually not that important an issue, especially right now when the country is essentially bankrupt and headed for a fiscal disaster decades in the making. What is much more important is retaining the right to disagree.
Duluth is back; see for yourself
from Minnesota Brown by Aaron Brown
The city of Duluth and the surrounding area was hit hard by last month's historic flooding and then again when FEMA announced last week it would not provide disaster relief for individuals affected by the storm. But day-to-day life has largely returned to normal in the city, which is why Duluth has invested heavily in an advertising campaign to draw tourists back to the area.
Swift boating
from Barataria by Erik Hare
If there’s one irrevocable law in politics, it’s that whatever works will be done and re-done until it fails completely.
Thank you immediate family — Mom
from Good as Gay by Jacob Woods
Because they fed you, or because they talked to you sweetly when you had a nightmare, or because they were there for you at one time or another. To think that after someone comes out of the closet that all this trust and this closeness might fade blatantly away to oblivion is disheartening. This is a reality for many queers.
Native jew plays soulful blues
from TCJewfolk by Jason Kapel
Nothing is holding Misha Siegfied back. He plays the blues with the soul of someone… not from an upper Midwest Jewish upbringing. Except that is exactly who he is. Minnesotan born and proud member of the tribe, this cat can throw it down.
What good excuse for NBC censorship of Olympic opening broadcast in U.S.?
from Minnesota Mist by Gary Peterson
NBC's delayed broadcast in the United States of Friday's opening ceremonies from the 2012 Olympic Games omitted an elegiac tribute to the victims of a terrorist bombing in London, July 7, 2005, the day after the city was designated the site for the 2012 Games.
A fairy tale park in New Ulm
from Minnesota Prairie Roots by Audrey Kletscher Helbling
IF A PARK COULD BE WRITTEN into a fairy tale, then German Park in New Ulm certainly would serve as an ideal setting for a happily-ever-after story.
Little farm in the city
from Borealis by Jennifer Thorson
How many times did you read the Little House on the Prairie series? Ten, twenty? ... If you know what I’m talking about or ever wished you were Laura or Mary or Carrie or Grace, take your kids to the Gibbs Farm Museum of Pioneer and Dakotah Life in Saint Paul. For just a couple hours you can see and touch life on the prairie without leaving the city.