From April 22-24, 2022, artists in SE Minnesota’s Bluff Country will open the doors to their creative spaces for a behind-the-scenes studio view not usually offered to the general public. During this annual self-guided event, these accomplished artists will be displaying their work, demonstrating their processes and selling pottery, paintings, turned wood items, jewelry, fiber … [Read more...]
Investigating whether soil health systems improve field workability and quality of life
By Katie Drewitz Extension Educator University of Minnesota Extension Fillmore and Houston Counties Timing is everything for farmers working in Minnesota’s short growing season. Getting into the field during a window of good weather to plant, spray, or harvest can make the difference between profitability and loss. It can also mean the difference between a frantic, … [Read more...]
Journal Writing Project The moment I knew I grew up
By Hailey Lovejoy When do you remember growing up? Maybe it was in middle school after you had gotten bullied for playing with barbies. Maybe it was in high school when you began to realize your GPA actually does matter. Or maybe you’re just realizing you have grown up right now. For me, I thought I grew up in middle school, but in reality I was still just a child trying to … [Read more...]
Pastor Devotion – Batter My Heart, O God!
By Pastor Jeff Jacobs Unity Lutheran Parish - St. Paul, Saetersdal and St. Matthew’s, Granger As we come to Holy Week, I share a poem by one of the great English poets, John Donne, who is commemorated in the Lutheran and Anglican churches on March 31, the day of his death in 1631. Born in London, January 22, 1572, Donne grew up Roman Catholic, but converted to the Church … [Read more...]
Unemployment falls to lowest level in 20+ years as more people return to work Minnesota gained 5,200 jobs in February as labor force participation rises again
Minnesota’s unemployment rate ticked down two tenths of percentage point to 2.7% in February, according to numbers released today by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED). That’s the lowest unemployment rate in the state since 1999. The decline in Minnesota’s unemployment rate was entirely due to people moving from unemployment to employment, as … [Read more...]
Greetings from the Capitol
By Senator Jeremy Miller Fillmore, Houston and Winona Counties It’s been another busy week here at the Capitol as bills continue to get introduced and move through the committee process. This update provides highlights on two of those bills: Paid Family Leave, and the Veterans Homes supplemental bill. Paid Family Leave This week the Senate introduced a paid family and … [Read more...]
Letter to the editor about burgers and bottom lines…
To the Editor, Darn near everyone who actually works for a living is not paid what they are worth for what they do. How can I say that? Let’s take a look: a Big Mac is $4.49. Let’s say Mickey’s sells 200 in an hour. They just made $898. Let’s say we’ve got four people working: one front counter, one in the back, one drive-thru, and one manager floating between all three. … [Read more...]
Roy and Shirley
By Donna Halvorsen South Portland, Maine We Peterson High School kids lost a treasure when Roy Johnson, our blind English teacher, died so young so many years ago. He didn’t have time to spread his brilliance over all of us, but those who came under his influence will never forget him. He inspired us as no one had ever inspired us before. He told me I had to go to college, … [Read more...]
Boys Basketball Player of the Year: Eli King
Boys Basketball Player of the … [Read more...]
Government This Week
Monday, April 11 •Whalan City Council, City Hall, 5 p.m •Caledonia City Council, City Hall, 6 p.m. •Grand Meadow City Council, Community Center, 6 p.m. •Houston City Council, City Hall, 6 p.m. •Kingsland School Board Work Session, Elementary Conference Room, 6 p.m. •Spring Valley City Council, City Hall, 6 p.m. •City of Rushford City Council, City Hall, 6:30 … [Read more...]