Between the pomp and circumstance, Obama outlines a more liberal second term
WASHINGTON — John Bessler and Franni Franken sat huddling with other senators’ spouses on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol Monday morning. To the right, their House counterparts stood snapping photos...
View ArticleHow will conservatives view Obama's speech?
Maybe I’m having a bad ear day, but President Obama’s inaugural address did not move me much.Personally, I embrace most of the center-left goals and policy preferences he expressed. None of them were...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Obama's dwindling prospects in a second term
Four more years for Obama. Now what? What does Barack Obama do in his second term and what can he accomplish? Simply put, his options are limited and the prospects for major success quite...
View ArticleSoap and cosmetic antibiotics going toxic in Minnesota waters
And where did we think it was going?Josephine Marcotty of the Strib says: “An antibiotic widely used in soaps and cosmetics that mostly goes down the drain is slowly converting to toxins at the bottom...
View ArticleWolves in winter: Missing Adelman, waiting on Rubio
Since my last column a week ago, the Minnesota Timberwolves have mostly halted the negative momentum generated by their horrendous road trip — four double-digit shellackings — that has been the nadir...
View ArticleKaren Duncan named District Court judge in Owatonna
Gov. Mark Dayton has appointed Karen Duncan to a 3rd District judgeship, working out of Owatonna.Duncan, who is currently chief public defender in the district, replaces Judge Casey Christian, who...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Dayton budget would boost spending and increase high-income taxes
Gov. Mark Dayton outlined his “Budget for a Better Minnesota” plan [PDF] Tuesday, recommending substantial tax changes, including the promised higher income taxes on top income-earners, property tax...
View ArticleState Fair board approves $6 million for improvements and repair
The Minnesota State Agricultural Society, which runs the Minnesota State Fair without any tax money, approved $6 million in fairgrounds improvements and repairs at its annual meeting over the...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Supporters say electronic gaming will succeed ... eventually
Somehow, some way, electronic pull tabs will help build the Vikings’ new football palace. At least that’s the line from pull-tab supporters. For the Forum papers, Don Davis writes: “Genny Hinnenkamp...
View ArticleHistory, mystery of Willmar War Memorial Auditorium examined
Tom Cherveny of the West Central Tribune in Willmar makes note that the city missed its opportunity to honor the 75th anniversary last year of Willmar’s War Memorial Auditorium. Instead, he proposes to...
View ArticleCautious DFL lawmakers praise Dayton’s budget vision but demur on details
DFL lawmakers greeted Gov. Mark Dayton’s far-reaching budget proposal with a mix of lukewarm policy support and broadly worded admiration for his bold “vision” of a better Minnesota.Top Democrats were...
View ArticlePoll: Franken has an early lead over potential 2014 challengers
U.S. Sen. Al Franken, whose narrow victory in 2008 lead many political observers to label him a potential Republican target in 2014, has sizable early leads over a cast of potential challengers,...
View ArticlePoll of Franken and likely challengers mostly good news for Franken
Way too soon to take a poll like this seriously, but Public Policy Polling is out with results of a robo-dialed poll of Minnesotans' feelings toward Sen. Al Franken and some of his likely challengers....
View ArticleGOP gives Dayton budget a cold shoulder
The Republican response to Governor Dayton’s budget proposal approximated the outdoor temperatures this week.Senate and House minority leaders Sen. David Hann and Rep. Kurt Daudt found nothing to like...
View ArticleMinneapolis weighs tougher policies on conflicts of interest
Yeah, that system might need a re-working …Curtis Gilbert of MPR says: “Minneapolis is considering changes to its conflict of interest policy, after citizens raised concerns about the city's planning...
View ArticleRighteous hiker meets trespassing four-wheeler
Across the Great Divide Less than a mile from our house sit a few hundred acres of empty private land. It's unfenced and unposted and apparently—except for its future value as desert home...
View ArticleSouth Korea tries to recall a US adoption
The bitter legal struggle of an American couple to adopt a Korean baby is touching on nationalist and ethnic sensitivities in South Korea.The couple, Christopher and Jinshil Duquet, wait at home in...
View ArticleCuba's 'resale' economics
HAVANA, Cuba — Cracker Man’s cry echoes down the streets of Havana's Buena Vista neighborhood, trailed by the clatter of his shopping cart over potholes.“Crackers! Crackers!” he barks. “Fresh from the...
View ArticleAlong Sudan's border, old disputes trigger new violence, hunger
Continued fallout from the 2011 separation of Sudan into two states, including military strikes by the government of Sudan on rebel factions and villages, may have forced as many as 700,000 Sudanese...
View ArticleMalians want the French to stay
DIABALY, Mali — Twisted carcasses of incinerated vehicles tucked between Diabaly’s mud-brick houses were the first signs of the devastating French strikes in northern Mali.The French air strikes, which...
View Article