Columns

Columnists

Columnists

Olson’s Cheers & Jeers: Dr. Frank Wilderson and his life of service in education

Plus: Paul McCartney at U.S. Bank stadium, Pete Hegseth rumors, Duluth City Council president and more.
AuthoredRochelle Olson
July 18, 2025
Dr. Frank Wilderson, the first chairman of the department of African-American studies at the University of Minnesota, and his wife Idolorraine share stories about the early years in Minnesota

Columnists

Opinion | Don’t let a rough world discourage you from having kids

Data about their prospects — and our problems — might surprise you. So if parenting suits you, go for it.
AuthoredElena Neuzil
July 17, 2025
A 1 year old girl crawls on the carpet while smiling. A group of babies sitting next to her look around curiously. They are in a colorful daycare environment.

Columnists

Morris: A national bigot lobs a spitwad at the Minneapolis mayoral race

Charlie Kirk’s attack on Muslims — and Omar Fateh in particular — betrays America’s founding ideas. Thankfully, that’s well understood locally.
AuthoredPhil Morris
July 16, 2025
Turning Point USA Founder Charlie Kirk speaks during a campaign rally, Oct. 24, 2024, in Las Vegas.

Columnists

Opinion | It’s time to phase out Red 40

Let’s make a concerted effort to remove synthetic dyes from our shopping carts, but not for the reason you think.
AuthoredCaroline Siebels-Lindquist
July 16, 2025
Candy displayed for sale at M&M New York in Times Square in Manhattan on June 30, 2025.

Columnists

Burcum: U.S. should help, not just complain, as Canada wildfires burn

Blaming Canada isn’t the solution for smoky skies. Technology and reforms offer promise. The challenge is in implementing them.
AuthoredJill Burcum
July 15, 2025
Smoke from wildfires burning in Canada and rain obscures the downtown skyline of Minneapolis on June 3.

Columnists

Rash: Returning Ukraine’s abducted kids isn’t about geopolitics — it’s about justice

Klobuchar met Sunday with an appreciative Ukrainian community.
AuthoredJohn Rash
July 15, 2025
U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar poses for a photo with Ukrainian children during an event at the Ukrainian American Community Center in Minneapolis, Sunday, July 13, 2025.

Columnists

Sturdevant: How should the Minnesota Legislature respond to the June shootings?

Ideas at the State Capitol fall into three categories.
AuthoredLori Sturdevant
July 13, 2025
Outside the Minnesota State Capitol in St. Paul, Minnesota, on June 15, 2025.

Columnists

Brown: At 5,000 feet, the legacy of Iron Range mining in Minnesota is clear, but its future is hazy

I rode in a little plane from 1967 over the entire iron formation. I’d seen a lot of mining country, but never quite like this.
AuthoredAaron Brown
July 13, 2025
An aerial view of the land around Mountain Iron, consumed by the mine and its waste material.

Columnists

Rash: The debt effect of the Big Beautiful Bill, by the numbers

Fiscally focused think tanks sound the alarm.
AuthoredJohn Rash
July 12, 2025
House Speaker Mike Johnson, with Republican leaders, signs the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., on July 3, 2025.

Columnists

Brown: Rural health care providers go from the emergency room to the picket line

As a physician shortage pressures rural health care, advanced practice providers assert new power.
AuthoredAaron Brown
July 12, 2025
Two nurses set up a patient in his room in St. Luke's Emergency Department in Duluth

Columnists

Olson’s Cheers & Jeers: As John Hoffman recovers, a shaken state begins the sad return to normalcy

Plus: Security at the State Capitol, tuition increases at the U, Al Franken NFTs and more.
AuthoredRochelle Olson
July 11, 2025
Bullet holes in the front door of Minnesota State Sen. John Hoffman’s home are visible in Champlin, Minn. on June 16.

Columnists

Olson: Minnesota Republicans' waste, fraud and abuse committee gets stuck in the mud

There’s little confidence this panel will help overwhelmed county employees and cut red tape, both of which would combat fraud.
AuthoredRochelle Olson
July 10, 2025
Rep. Kristin Robbins, R-Maple Grove, speaks during a news conference by House GOP leaders at the State Capitol in St. Paul on Jan. 6.
Back to Top