Opinions

Mess around factory farms, water quality is only getting worse

Factory farm water pollution has made headlines in Minnesota for months. Unfortunately, things are moving in the wrong direction. The latest U.S. Department of Agriculture’s twice-a-decade census of agriculture, released in February, finds that Minnesota’s factory farms are raising more animals...

Legislative session is under way

The 2024 Legislative Session is underway. It was great to be back in Saint Paul representing your voice at our Minnesota State Capitol. It was a joy to be joined by my granddaughters, Winter and Piper, my son, Joshua, and his wife, Chelsea, and my husband, Terry, as we gaveled into the 93rd...

Open grants support literacy, and beautification

Since 1986, Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF) has invested $56.9 million in grants in our 20-county region. While these grants support a wide range of projects — from providing books to young children to supporting small town growth — they each have had a transformative and...

Congratulations to teams, FFA chapters

Congratulations are in order this week for a number of local high school students. The Wildcats girl’s hockey team accomplished a milestone over the weekend, winning their first ever trip to the girl’s hockey state tournament. The Wildcats were scheduled to meet Fergus Falls at the Xcel Energy...

An important tool for economic development

Imagine that your community needs funding to build a trail system which will draw tourism to the area. Or perhaps your town needs better broadband access or a housing plan. Whatever economic development initiative your city or county is working on, there is a good chance you will need to use an...

What to expect during the 2024 legislative session

The new legislative session begins on February 12. Though we will not be crafting a new state budget this year, Minnesota faces a challenging fiscal situation that will significantly impact what we can realistically accomplish. Last year, the state had a record $19.5 billion budget surplus. However...

Will Trump flee the U.S. for Russia?

I recently sent the DCI a one sentence letter to the editor stating: “I predict that Donald Trump will not run for President but will run for Russia within six months.” Karen wrote back to say it was too short, so if this gets too long you can blame her. My prediction is based on several things I’...

Help Mantorville Theatre Company, give yourself boost to boot!

The Mantorville Theatre Company needs your help. 2023 saw a decline in revenues from pre-pandemic times (Theatre Arts groups have their own version of long COVID — not fun for people who have it or for organizations still in recovery.) To help start 2024 on a positive note, the Rochester female...

Who will pay for our new flag?

The recent article in the Dodge County Independent titled “Changing of State Flag is Short-sighted” written by Sheriff Scott Rose was spot-on. The only thing I might add is the expected costs to implement these changes and who will ultimately be stuck paying for it. Per state statue, the state...

Congratulations to Chamber award winners, Triton students

Congratulations are in order this week to two individuals honored at last Friday night’s Kasson Chamber of Commerce dinner and annual meeting. Tanya Young was named Business Person of the Year and Kirk Swenson received the Chamber’s Legacy Award. Young is well-known in Kasson and Dodge County for...