It was a shock to many Americans when federal prosecutors in Massachusetts announced charges against 50 people for one of the biggest college admissions scams in American history. As a college student myself, it was disappointing to see a system that advertises itself as being based on merit and effort was being blatantly undermined. Unfortunately, with how important college is
Even though the calendar says so, spring isn’t here yet
It’s spring. I know this because the calendar said so. Spring arrived at 4:58 p.m. Wednesday, March 20. And I know this because last week, we sprang forward for daylight-saving time (more about that later.) So now I can shovel snow at 8 p.m. without turning on the porch light. I know spring is here because I spent a couple
Do not discard your Social Security card
Whatever you do, do not throw away your Social Security card. About a year ago, while weeding useless cards from my stuffed wallet, I came across a fragment of something that in ancient times had once been my Social Security card. Faded, scruffed, creased and thin as onion-skin, it looked like a tattered scrap from one of the Dead Sea
It’s time to consider a mayor for president
The field of Democrats who want to be president grows every day with about a dozen announced candidates and several more hinting at a run for a chance to challenge Donald Trump. Lots of attention focuses on the six U.S. Senators who have entered the race. But let’s not forget the mayors running too. Governors, vice-presidents and senators often find
Gas tax bad consideration, worse proposal
In just a few short months, our newly inaugurated Gov. Tim Walz has had an eventful start to his term. Large amounts of snow and freezing temperatures created an almost statewide shutdown at the end of January. Sen. Amy Klobuchar also declared her campaign for president, bringing a major Minnesota candidate into the race for 2020. But as we enter
Guest column: Chisum deserves praise for soil testing stand
Phil Ringstrom, Sartell I believe council member Mike Chisum should be commended for pulling the “engineering and soil testing item” regarding the Sauk River Regional Park from the consent agenda during the Jan. 28 Sartell City Council meeting. When an elected representative performs his/her due diligence, their effort should be praised for representing their constituents and democratic principles. One year
Emmer aims to get out front on blockchain technology legislation
Technological innovation moves fast. Today’s hot new gadget is tomorrow’s candidate for recycling. It’s tough to keep up with 4K, 5G, AI and VR. No place is that struggle more obvious than in government. Legislation and regulation moves slowly as the gears of government creak. Meanwhile, technology and the marketplace determine what “rules” govern how the latest inventions operate. Two
The 30 percent should pay for ‘The Wall’
We shouldn’t have to wonder any longer why President Donald Trump shows such high-five admiration for thugs posing as national leaders – that rogue’s gallery that includes Vladimir Putin, Kim Jung-Un, Recep Erdogan and Rodrigo Duterte. Trump apes their autocratic attitudes. His declaration of a “national emergency” over his obsessive fixation on “The Wall” puts him square in the camp