Bonnie Haugen Canton, MN What do washing machines, climate change, and the dairy business have on common? A new washing machine was just delivered to my basement.  I am fortunate to have a tool to easily wash my clothes, with choices on how to wash them.  And assuming it lasts many years, I have made a good investment. I will soon receive a check for my milk that was picked … [Read more...]

By Sen. Jeremy Miller District 26 On August 1, more than 300 nursing homes across the state received their first payment of emergency nursing home aid. The funding was the result of a bipartisan agreement brokered by Senate Republicans at the end of this year’s legislative session to provide $300 million in emergency assistance to help nursing facilities in crisis. Nursing … [Read more...]

By Tim Penny President/CEO Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation No matter what line of work you are in, chances are that when you look for professional development opportunities, you often have to travel to the Twin Cities area or even out of state to advance your education. It may also be the case that you end up paying quite a bit for these opportunities – especially … [Read more...]

This past week, there was a buzz in the newspaper industry about a faux pas for The Hutchinson News located in Hutchinson, Kan. They had a wonderfully designed front page showing a group of senior citizens kayaks on a lake in Hutchinson.  The headline of the story read, “Engaged, happy and active.” It was about all about how the Hutchinson Senior Center keeps seniors busy … [Read more...]

I’ve been working in the newspaper business, technically, since I was 10 years old.  That’s when I started delivering a shopper route in Northwest Rochester.  I had 200 shoppers to deliver, spanning 17 blocks in our neighborhood.  It became a family affair.  The shoppers would arrive and we would stuff them in long plastic bags to protect them from the elements on the doorstep … [Read more...]

By Jeff Erding Wykoff, MN Integrity of our institutions is vital to the successful existence of a Democratic Republic. Citizens need to be well informed by truthful entities. America needs an airtight voting system so every legal vote is rapidly and fairly counted. We need originalist judges who interpret the Constitution and laws as they were written. A legal … [Read more...]

Made famous by Dorothy and her ruby red slippers, that was the memorable moment when Judy Garland’s character realized she had suddenly arrived in the Land of Oz. Well, Marion County seemed to have a tornado of sorts rip through the little town of Marion (pop. 1,902). It was like the Land of Oz with a few agendas working behind the curtains of the law. On Friday, August … [Read more...]

A few weeks ago, a Rochester Post-Bulletin reporter contacted me regarding my thoughts on a report presented by the Minnesota Center for Rural Policy & Develop-ment (MCRPD) in April 2023. I told the reporter I was glad he contacted me, because I had actually sent an email to Julie Tesch, president & CEO of the MCRPD. I shared my email to Julie with the P-B reporter, … [Read more...]

WASHINGTON, August 8, 2023 – U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) sent a letter to United States Postal Service (USPS) Postmaster General Louis DeJoy expressing concern over recent policy changes and rate hikes affecting local and rural newspapers. In July, the USPS eliminated the use of sack containers for newspapers and other periodicals and will now only accept newspapers … [Read more...]

Letter about too many lanterns... To the Editor, Relay for Life 2023 was held in Fountain on July 28. Around here we show up and offer support after diagnoses of cancer. Most of us have connections to the uncertainties, suffering, and pain of cancer. Looking around the long oval walking track that was lit by lanterns on both sides, my friend said, “Too many lanterns.” … [Read more...]

The newspaper business has been a part of my life for nearly 40 years, dating back to my early days as a Post-Bulletin route carrier. As many in our industry would say, “I have ink in my blood.” It’s truly a privilege to do what I do; to work with the people I work with.  We have an amazing team that continuously strives to improve both our content and our presentation of … [Read more...]

By Pastor Norm Omodt, Retired Chatfield, MN I write this last commentary for 4 reasons. First: To help a few million people better  understand  who President Trump is.  He has a Border Line Personality, according to Doctors of Psychology,  which means he can’t function as normally as most people.  He can’t introspect, that is, he can’t examine himself to see how he is … [Read more...]

President/CEO Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation July marks one of my favorite months at Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF). It is the time of year when we get to distribute more than 20,000 books to organizations that work with young children in our 20-county region. The importance of early literacy cannot be overstated. Not only does it build a strong … [Read more...]

Letter about Houston School District 294 Referendum... To the Editor, I live in Winona County but my property lies within District 294 for taxation.  The district is holding an election on a referendum totaling over $30 million on August 8, 2023.  I consider this referendum to be perfidious (deceitful, untrustworthy) due to its timing and execution.  There is only one voting … [Read more...]