There is a fight going on over the heart of our democracy, and I worry that democracy is losing.  Over the last few months, several states have moved decisively to make it harder for their citizens to vote, and more are on tap.  It’s hard to tell yet whether this is just a blip or an actual reversal of the US’s long trend of expanding voting access.  Either way, it’s cause for … [Read more...]

Many of the farmers that I know in southern Minnesota work on the same land that their parents, grandparents or even great-grandparents farmed. Because of this, the farm is more than a parcel of land to grow crops or raise animals – it is a living piece of family history. At the same time, we are faced with the reality that the average farmer is close to retirement age, and … [Read more...]

On May 7, 2021, the New York Times published an article titled, “Job Growth Slowed in April, Muddling Expectations.” NT Times Reporter Patricia Cohen introduced the piece with, “The American jobs machine tottered last month, confounding optimistic forecasts of the labor market’s recovery and sharpening debates over the impact of federal pandemic-related jobless benefits on … [Read more...]

Letter about meeting the future king... To the Editor, It was with great pleasure that I read the article about the visit of the Norwegian royalty – I was there! My dad’s brother, Dr. A.W. Highum, was the mayor that welcomed them to Lanesboro. The article states the ceremony “lasted a few minutes”! What most people did not know they came to my aunt and uncle Bill’s home … [Read more...]

I’ve always been impressed that the preamble to the Constitution begins, “We the People of the United States.” We’ve heard the phrase so often that we don’t even stop to think about it. But as the proposed constitution was being debated in 1787, there were people who did — notably, Patrick Henry, who in a famous speech to the Virginia ratifying convention asked why the drafters … [Read more...]

By Eric Leitzen So Governor Walz has proposed some changes to the tax code, and in a surprising move for a DFLer that actually not too bad: raising taxes on the rich, lowering estate taxes so Mr. Moneybags may have to sell off his mansion before Junior gets to move in for free, and putting in capital gains taxes so all of those shady games the rich do with money will actually … [Read more...]

Publisher Fillmore County Journal jason@fillmorecountyjournal.com This week is Teacher Appreciation Week, and readers will find a section in this issue of the Fillmore County Journal that includes recognition of the fifth annual Teacher of the Year. Stacy Fritz, ag teacher and FFA inspiration for students at Chatfield Public Schools, was named the 2021 Teacher of the … [Read more...]

Letter about Houston OHV trail... To the Editor, City of Houston, Minn., and certain OHV clubs have introduced an OHV trail on lands adjoining Southside park and residential lands within the city. Consider the impact on the environment and well being of residents within this area. Discussions among DNR Parks and trails, Houston city,county and OHV groups led to the … [Read more...]

By Harley Doering Caledonia, MN On Monday, May 10, at 6 p.m., the Caledonia City Council will be holding a public hearing at the Caledonia Auditorium concerning the future of the Sprague Woods Natural Park Preserve. The park is located on the northwest edge of the Caledonia City limits. This parcel of land was originally donated and deeded to Caledonia Green in 1995 in … [Read more...]

President/CEO Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation Anyone who knows me well knows that I regularly champion the benefits of living in rural Minnesota. Not only was I born and raised here, but I have served Greater Minnesota for many years, first during my time in the U.S. Congress and now as the president and CEO of Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF). Now … [Read more...]