Opinions

Well water in Minnesota’s Karst region is at risk

To-the-Editor: Southeastern Minnesota has a drinking water crisis that needs your help. Take action today to urge local, state, and federal government officials to take immediate action to ensure ALL Minnesotans, regardless of zip code, have clean water to drink. Nitrate levels in the state’s karst...

AM radio is vital to rural Minnesotans

There are 4,000 AM radio stations across the country — and over 300 of those stations are right here in Minnesota. Listeners turn to AM radio for everything from high school scores to crop reports to news and weather. In fact, during a weather emergency like a wildfire or a tornado, AM radio can...

Cartoon - Mothernature

I Was Thinking . . . Enjoy It

For those of us who have lived in the Upper Midwest all our lives, we know how fleeting summer can be. This period of warmth seems so limited compared to the long winter months. So, it is natural that we try to cram so much into this precious time as possible. Homeowners plant flowers and vegetable...

What’s new for 2023-2024 school year?

The new school year is upon us. Byron students started classes this week and students in Hayfield, Kasson-Mantorville, and Triton return next week. While a new school year is always a time of “firsts” for students and parents, this year marks a number of “firsts” for school districts, courtesy of...

Professional growth opportunities close to home

No matter what line of work you are in, chances are that when you look for professional development opportunities, you often have to travel to the Twin Cities area or even out of state to advance your education. It may also be the case that you end up paying quite a bit for these opportunities —...

Destruction of garden harms many

Dear Community: This letter is to inform any gardeners to be aware of human beings entering and stealing produce completely. We “rent” a large garden in the community of Dodge Center. This does “not” mean we raise for the community. It’s work that has healthy benefits, including sharing with others...

Back-to-Church Shopping?

Right now, families throughout America are busy with back-to-school shopping. Earnest choices are being made over clothing, school supplies, and other aspects related to the well-being and personal development of children. After several months of summer t-ball, family vacations, and whatever...

I Was Thinking...Why Camp?

As summer winds down, people are eager to get out to camp one last time before fall schedules begin. At home, most people make a concentrated effort to surround themselves with all the creature comforts they can afford. We carpet our floors, air condition our homes, buy specialized mattresses, and...

Construction done — for now

There definitely was joy in Kasson last week as Highway 57 re-opened. Two summers of highway construction is not something that anyone enjoys, even if the end result is an improvement. Not only did it open again to traffic but this time with three roundabouts. Initial reports seem to be that the...