Drop of Ink

We recently received a call about a small town in western Minnesota proceeding with a city infrastructure plan for an extensive sewer, water, and street project. We were told there was no way that the limited tax base in the community can bear the project’s expense and that default is likely after a few years. Who is going to examine that levy and its impact on taxpayers? It … [Read more...] about The Gutting Of Our Rural Press

For too many years, our trip to work was just over two to three blocks. It allowed no time for reflection, listening to an interesting news program, or planning for the day. But over the past decade, we have been on the road at least once a week for a couple hours - country roads, not packed city freeways. It is time we treasure. It is a time of daydreaming, problem-solving, … [Read more...] about Walking Is Good For You And Your Community

In these days of bitterly divided politics, we are always looking for lessons on how we can better reach out to our readers to improve their belief that we can be fair and trustworthy. Generally, community newspapers are the most trusted source of news for their readers when it comes to local reporting. Our stories of the actions of local governments, what is happening in … [Read more...] about A Challenging Time To Trust The News

Facebook,  Twitter, and YouTube facilitate misinformation poisoning the American dialogue on topics from politics, to health, to voting, to immigration, to religion. People have the right to lie. They have the right to make fools of people who fall for their information pranks or deluded rantings. They can promote patently false information that reinforces beliefs that … [Read more...] about Section 230 Protects Spreading Misinformation

Reports of the damage we are doing to our planet come with a depressing regularity these days. Yet, they seem to be shrugged off with the same complacency and a there's-nothing-we-can-do-about-it resignation as the latest mass shooting.  Earlier this month, a study was released that warns of far-reaching impacts for Minnesota, and the planet, without significant … [Read more...] about ‘Land of Sky Blue Waters’ Threatened