A recent report by Education Minnesota laid out teachers’ views of what it would take to fully fund public education. Gov. Tim Walz has put forward a school budget proposal that would provide significantly more funding for the next two years than provided in past years.
On March 5 I attended a meeting with a multi-faith group to learn more about Islam at the Northwest Islamic Community Center in Plymouth.
As this long winter drags on, we have found ourselves forced to stay indoors all too often. We’ve seen many of our patrons come into the library for books, CDs and DVDs to enjoy while hibernating.
When you look at your family budget, it’s likely that health care costs are one of your biggest monthly expenses. During the last two years Republicans have made important progress stabilizing Minnesota’s health care market, but there is no doubt we are still trying to recover from the MNsur…
Several big questions come from the budget proposals in education that Gov. Tim Walz and Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan presented on Feb. 19.
People often don’t realize many emails sent and received by city council members and school board members are part of the public record.
For government to be of, by and for the people it must be out in front of the people.
When it comes to selecting what tree to plant in your landscape, the simple advice of “plant the right tree, in the right spot” can save years of additional maintenance, frustration and disappointment. Here are some key factors to consider for the upcoming tree-planting season.
Sometimes it’s the little things. Or the little things that capture our attention in the artifact collection that we find connected to a larger story – like the Swedish 1 Riksdaler coin of 1792.
One of the aspects of my job that has surprised me the most is tied into one of the most mundane tasks of the modern world: email.
Everywhere you look you can see the signs. Now Hiring! Those are just the signs you see driving around. I am not aware of too many businesses that aren’t at least looking to hire.
We are now entering the third month of the 2019 Legislative Session, and as the first committee deadline approaches things will really begin to move quickly as we work to create a budget. A budget funding essential programs and services over the next two years is the most critical work my co…
featured
The third and final installment of the Anoka County Historical Society clock restoration series appears this week. Be sure to visit the museum and request a showing of these artifacts.
Sometimes letter writers are surprised when I ask for a credible source to back up a claim in a letter.
Climate change poses profound risks to our communities not just in the future but right now. Extreme weather events are increasing, and our climate is changing. We must do what we can to transition as quickly as possible to more renewable energy and reducing our carbon emissions.
After her fourth major back surgery and enough chronic pain to fell an elephant, it would have been easy for my wife to succumb to the preferred route of treatment: prescription painkillers.
Life brings different rhythms – different timetables – for each of us. We lose dear loved ones, we grieve, we face changes – diminished mobility, an end to driving the car, maybe a different place to live after decades in the longtime family home.
Bob Muscovitz recalled the storm of 1991 for the Anoka County Historical Society collections:
Out of all of the bus rides from my high school sports experience, the most memorable was the one that never happened.
“Building Business, Building Community, Building Relationships,” This is the tagline of the MetroNorth Chamber of Commerce. While we are a business organization, we also know that to ensure our area is a great place to start and grow a business, it also needs to be a great place to live and …
It was 5:30 a.m. on Super Bowl Sunday, Feb. 3, when my friend Dave and I headed north on 35 toward the Sax-Zim Bog. This is a birding location known around the world for sightings of rare birds. It’s about 170 miles north of Coon Rapids and 45 minutes north of Duluth. Some stay at hotels in …
Seven decades ago, millions of soldiers returned home from World War II and ignited an American boom.
Over the past few weeks, we’ve seen a spike in cold, wintry weather that included a polar vortex that brought temperatures down to -25 degrees in the Twin Cities, and now we’re having non-stop snow accumulation.
History has a habit of repeating itself, especially in Minnesota. Through the years, Anoka County residents have survived the elements to call this area home, despite piles of white stuff towering in all directions. Enjoy these photos and know spring is a short six weeks away!
It’s that time of year when gardeners get antsy and start thinking about their gardens for the coming year. You could start seeds indoors, but why spend money on lights and power or time maintaining them when you could winter sow outside with very little effort?
The Star Tribune recently ran an opinion piece by James Lefestey, who advocated for an increase in the gas tax to finance infrastructure improvements and to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, but cautioned lawmakers to keep rural Minnesotans in mind when crafting this policy.
“This is it!” That’s how Tuan Dinh, a 15-year-old 10th-grader in Bloomington, describes his reaction when he heard about the opportunity to take courses as a ninth-grader on the Normandale Community College campus. Conversations with students, parents and educators over two weeks in January …
One of the more interesting benefits of being a journalist is when you get a chance to look behind the scenes of systems we take for granted.
Gov. Tim Walz was clear when he asked me to be the chair of the Metropolitan Council – he wanted a mayor for the job. A mayor has a good perspective on the work of the council. Whether planning for economic development opportunities and growth, ensuring diverse and adequate housing options o…
As I continue to work with the Anoka County Historical Society to repair and preserve the clocks in the collection, I have had the opportunity to conduct a bit more research as well. The clock of this week was made by the Ansonia Clock Company, that formed in 1851 and was a major, high-quali…
Minnesota is a leader in providing care for children with disabilities. The TEFRA program was created so parents who earn too much to qualify for Medical Assistance could still receive services covered by public insurance. Only the child’s income is counted under the TEFRA option, and parent…
The Anoka Area Chamber of Commerce had been a business leader in our area since 1952.
featured
The current Anoka County Historical Society exhibit on the county’s post-war boom contains several magazines and advertisements, some of which depict a stereotype of the 1950s: a family participating in an activity (for example, backyard barbecuing), including Dad with a pipe in his mouth.
A major planning process is underway that could affect the community where you live in the seven-county metropolitan area.
It seems they found a loophole.
Now that Gov. Tim Walz and the 2019 Legislature have begun work, we believe their agenda must include correcting a serious breach of constitutional authority that includes an ill-conceived financial scheme. This 2018 legislation thwarts the will of Minnesota voters and compounds the costs of…
Many working and low-income parents with infants or preschool children face tough decisions, whether they live in Anoka or Apple Valley, Blaine or Burnsville.
I like to think of myself as a good person. Some days I struggle a bit, a few days I’m firing on all cylinders, but most days I’m a solid seven.
Commented