Starting in late 2025, we started seeing more conversation at city council meetings regarding plans for communities to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States of America. When planning for these types of events, there is no playbook. This hasn’t been done before. The last time I recall a significant anniversary for our country was in 1976 – our 200-year … [Read more...]
Letter about Finstad’s folly…
To the Editor, Mr. Finstad recently posted an editorial in the Fillmore County Journal calling for additional airline service for access to the Mayo Clinic. It will make it easier for all of the international clientele and wealthy Americans who want the services of the Mayo Clinic. It does nothing to improve the medical care for the folks who live in southeastern Minnesota. … [Read more...]
One Moment, Please… The Next Chapter for 2026 Graduates
First, congratulations to the high school graduates of 2026! While this event closes out a significant chapter of your life, it also signals the beginning of the rest of your life. The Winding Journey There is no set path for where life will take you. After high school, I had planned to become a veterinarian. I worked at a veterinary clinic in Rochester while in high … [Read more...]
Journal Writing Project – Are the Web Filters at Your School Too Restrictive?
By Alleen Erchoff-Costet Imagine this, you are doing a research paper for school about politics, history, or social issues on your school computer, and the website you’re looking at is blocked or you get kicked off without warning. Whether you’re a student now, or have been one in the past who used computers for school work, there probably were filters monitoring what … [Read more...]
Letter about school library management…
To the Editor, We are writing in response to what was shared about the April 20th Rushford-Peterson School Board meeting. The School Board authorized a $500 contract with the superintendent of the St. Charles school district, who is also a licensed library media specialist, in order to provide library management oversight. While we understand and appreciate the need for … [Read more...]
Klobuchar Addresses Rising Fertilizer Prices at Senate Agriculture Committee Hearing
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, today delivered the following opening statement at the Agriculture Committee hearing titled “Perspectives on the Fertilizer Industry: Ensuring a Stable and Affordable Supply for American Producers.” In her remarks, Senator Klobuchar addressed the … [Read more...]
Finstad Calls on DOT to Support United Airlines Service Between Rochester and Chicago O’Hare International Airport
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Brad Finstad (MN-01) sent a letter to the Secretary of the Department of Transportation (DOT), Sean Duffy, and the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Bryan Bedford, calling on the DOT and FAA to support United Airlines service between Rochester International Airport (RST) and Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) as … [Read more...]
A Pastor’s Heart
By Rev. Debra Jene Collum Chatfield United Methodist In my kitchen drawer I have a large pizza cutter. It is really too big for a typical utensil drawer insert; yet I will always find a place for it no matter where live. Because this pizza cutter is part of the pastor’s heart that goes with me wherever I find myself. I have had this fairly mundane but important pizza cutter … [Read more...]
Journal Writing Project “Avatar” The Perfect Cinematic Journey
By Roland Bjerke How It Came To Be The “Avatar” movie series under the direction of James Cameron has been called by many critics “The Perfect Cinematic Journey.” As of today, there are three movies in the series, “Avatar,” “Avatar: Way of the Water,” and “Avatar: Fire and Ash,” with the hopes of a fourth on the way. You might know the director James Cameron from other movies … [Read more...]
Why the Theory of Evolution is Wrong
By Stan Gudmundson Peterson, MN Darwin claimed in his book “Origin of Species” that evolution explained life on earth. And that the universe was just happenstance. I suppose many assumed that a better understanding of science would confirm that he was correct. But that isn’t how it has worked out. As we learned more about the universe, we have found that facts are … [Read more...]