To the Editor, May was a very busy month in Washington as the House passed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.  In mid-April, the House and Senate agreed to a budget resolution, which set House Committees off to the races to draft legislative recommendations based on the agreed budget targets. One of the largest of these components… Read More

To the Editor, With embers from Minnesota’s wildfires still smoldering and Canadian smoke darkening our skies, it’s worth remembering that fires burn more than trees—they consume peatlands, a living foundation beneath our forests that has protected us for centuries. Once lost, these carbon-rich wetlands cannot be replaced. Peatlands are waterlogged wetlands filled with thousands of years of… Read More

Despite record-high wind and solar generation, the U.S. renewable energy sector faces uncertainty. Tariffs and potential repeals of federal funding are creating roadblocks to the further buildout of energy projects. Wind, solar, and other renewable energy projects have helped revitalize rural communities by creating jobs, generating new tax revenues, and providing lease payments to landowners. However, energy… Read More

Tucker’s Telegram Tucker Henderson Life is often unfair. It can be incredibly challenging at times with its many stressors and obstacles. Unfortunately, life can also be far too short. We’ve seen that as a community time and time again over the past several years. I first think of Wade Salo who passed away in 2020 after… Read More

The Prairie Spy Alan “Lindy” Linda Summer is coming, and for the first time in the history of automobiles, the number of fifteen-year-olds hitting the highways in a driver’s education car is decreasing. That means, maybe, that this hormone-riddled, vacuum-headed generation—and weren’t we all– has figured out that it is safer to log on than drive on. One… Read More

Ask A Trooper Sgt. Jesse Grabow Question: I caught part of the news the other night and heard something about the 100 deadliest days. Can you get me more information on that?    Answer: I certainly can. Here is some information we shared on the Minnesota Department of Safety blog. The Minnesota State Patrol is urging drivers to… Read More

To the Editor, Federal grants often serve as the backbone of rural library services. Without their local library, many communities would lose access to basic resources. However, recent federal actions have placed critical funding for public libraries and museums in jeopardy. Following an executive order from President Trump, the future of the Institute of Museum and Library… Read More

By Bev Johnson Master Gardener Have you gotten a colorful flier from a pest company promising to make your yard mosquito free? Sounds wonderful, doesn’t it? “Make outside fun again, and the only good mosquito is a dead mosquito,” “Kids love butterflies but not ticks,” and “Battle back to protect your kids and pets.”  They claim that… Read More

The Prairie Spy Alan “Lindy” Linda This is about windows. Some folks will read this because, well, they don’t have anything better to do. Some will read it because they either are now or are in the future building or remodeling a home. Or know someone who is. When I was teaching HVAC students, I spent a lot… Read More

Ask A Trooper Sgt. Jesse Grabow Question: I have been receiving text messages about an “E-Z Pass Final Reminder.” It’s something about having an outstanding toll and submitting payment. I was told it was a scam. Can you get me more information on this?   Answer: Here is information from the Minnesota Department of Transportation E-ZPass page. https://www.dot.state.mn.us/ezpassmn/news.html  … Read More