Opinions
May is National Foster Care Month, a time to recognize and honor the critical role that foster parents play in the lives of children and youth in care. Across the country, thousands of individuals and families open their homes and hearts to children who have experienced abuse, neglect, or trauma....
We’ve all heard about people adopting pets, but what about taking a liking to something that will have a direct impact on the environment.
With Earth Day taking place a few weeks ago, many people have a renewed focus on the environment. One-way folks can get themselves involved in saving the...
This month we embrace National Military Appreciation Month, a time to honor and express gratitude to the men and women who have served, or are currently serving, in the U.S. Armed Forces, as well as their families.
This month-long observance, established by Congress in 1999, encompasses several...
Things are heating up at the Legislature as we enter crunch time. With just two weeks left in the session, there is a lot of work left to be done. With some bills still outstanding, it’s times like now we wish we had those three missing weeks at the beginning of session, but we are still working...
It seems as if the activities pick up as the school year winds down.
I spent some time Tuesday morning at Kasson-Mantorville Elementary School where the fourth graders were enjoying LEAP Day. This is a program that continues throughout the year with each grade getting a chance to explore various...
With Easter over it looks like we are now on the fast track to summer. Or if not summer at least to the end of the school year.
The spring sports season is under way. Triton has already had their Prom and Byron and Hayfield Proms are this weekend. Kasson-Mantorville Prom is scheduled for May 3....
It has been a very active couple of weeks at the Capitol, working to complete the policy and budget bills in committee. It was nice to get your emails and calls giving your input. I also had the opportunity to meet with several groups and hear directly from Minnesotans about the issues that matter...
As a former teacher and former chair of the Senate Education Committee, I’ve spent years working to make sure young learners succeed. This work has always been deeply personal to me. And right now, I believe Minnesota’s K-12 system needs a reset.
Despite historic increases in education funding, we’...
Every once in a while, something happens that causes one to pause and look for answers. While I realize that we do not live in an era when you have superintendents like the late Fred Harapat and Arlen Johnson spending the bulk of their careers at Kenyon, you know that when an unheard number of...
Each April, we come together as a nation to recognize Child Abuse Prevention Month, a time to shine a light on the urgent need to protect our children and uplift the systems and people working to keep them safe. This year, we unite under the powerful theme: “Powered by Hope, Strengthened by...