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Tina Smith: Congress shouldn’t be pushed to sidelines after Iran bombing

In a Q&A, the Minnesota senator makes the case for why she’s supporting two high-profile “war powers” initiatives.
AuthoredJill Burcum
June 27, 2025
U.S. Sen. Tina Smith, D-Minn.

Columnists

Olson’s Cheers & Jeers: Good Samaritan rushes to aid 11-year-old shot in Minneapolis

Plus: Road construction woes, Melissa Hortman memorial, summer heat wave and more.
AuthoredRochelle Olson
June 26, 2025
Toshira Garraway Allen, left, and Princess Titus, right, hold hands during a June 25 press conference in Minneapolis to address violence by kids, two days after 11-year-old Amir Atkins was shot and killed at Folwell Park.

Columnists

Brown: Zohran Mamdani’s upset win in New York mayor election holds lessons for Minnesota politics

Mamdani successfully turned a campaign for the city’s top post into a conversation with agitated, working-class swing voters.
AuthoredAaron Brown
June 25, 2025
Supporters of Democratic mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani cheer while he speaks at his primary election party, Wednesday, June 25, 2025, in New York.

Columnists

Opinion: Blame funding cuts — not Superior National Forest managers — for proposed BWCAW fee hikes

The Trump administration’s recent cuts to the U.S. Forest Service have left a financial hole, now potentially to be filled by Boundary Waters visitors.
AuthoredCaroline Siebels-Lindquist
June 25, 2025
A canoe kneels along the water's edge in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.

Columnists

Brown: East Bethel city councilor’s controversial Facebook comment is a symptom of a bigger problem

Conspiracy, backlash and threats in East Bethel show why civility is so hard to achieve.
AuthoredAaron Brown
June 24, 2025
A makeshift memorial for Minnesota state Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark Hortman, at the Minnesota State Capitol in St. Paul on June 18.

Columnists

Burcum: If Congress doesn't act, many middle class families will soon face health insurance hikes

Middle class consumers will be hit especially hard if Congress does not renew expanded eligibility for the Affordable Care Act’s financial assistance.
AuthoredJill Burcum
June 24, 2025

Columnists

Olson: Civility is the bare minimum, Minnesota Republicans in D.C.

Republican state Sen. Zach Duckworth calls for common cause and a foundation for the future.
AuthoredRochelle Olson
June 22, 2025

Columnists

Burcum: As Trump trade threats loom, a Minnesota farm family braces for impact

Follow along with the Johnsons, who, like many farm families, are trying to navigate an unpredictable trade war.
AuthoredJill Burcum
June 22, 2025

Columnists

Grove: When tragedy strikes, Minnesota journalists leap into action

Independent media organizations around the state mobilized quickly to report the facts — and counter untruths.
AuthoredSteve Grove
June 21, 2025

Rochester

Tolkkinen: Rochester bishop joins Trump’s Religious Liberty Commission

Bishop Robert Barron is a well-known advocate for the role of religion in public life.
AuthoredKaren Tolkkinen
June 21, 2025

Columnists

Brown: Did President Donald Trump just nationalize U.S. Steel?

Japanese ownership, government control mark consequential deal for landmark American company
AuthoredAaron Brown
June 20, 2025
The United States Steel Clairton Coke Works is pictured in Clairton, Pennsylvania.

Columnists

Olson’s Cheers & Jeers: Just cheers — no jeers — as a painful week in Minnesota comes to a close

Kudos to Gov. Tim Walz, Melissa Hortman’s staffers, U.S. Sen. Tina Smith, local law enforcement and others for their service to Minnesotans following last weekend’s shocking tragedy.
AuthoredRochelle Olson
June 20, 2025
Arshia Hussain, of Brooklyn Park, places a flower on a memorial during a candlelight vigil on June 18 at the State Capitol for Melissa and Mark Hortman.
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