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Columnists

Brown: Minnesota wildfires remind that danger smolders in these North Woods

Fires don’t care about anyone’s political beliefs or skepticism.
AuthoredAaron Brown
May 16, 2025
Firefighters Joshua Donahue, Chris Schlosser, Jon Settergren, Michael Hemmerich, left to right, move debris and water down hot spots in the smoldered remains of a structure as part of the efforts to combat the Camp House wildfire in Brimson, Minn. on Thursday, May 15, 2025. ] ALEX KORMANN • alex.kormann@startribune.com

Columnists

Olson’s Cheers & Jeers: Firefighters, a fraught fundraiser and a possible pardon

As temperatures climb, it’s important to heed the wisdom of Gov. Tim Walz — and Smokey Bear.
AuthoredRochelle Olson
May 15, 2025

Columnists

Rash: ‘Between both worlds,’ Ukrainians in Minnesota contribute to each

While their stories are unique, there’s unity in appreciation of America, a desire to give back, and a warning that waning Western support only emboldens Russia.
AuthoredJohn Rash
May 14, 2025

Columnists

Burcum: Don’t rush the decision on undocumented immigrant health coverage

MinnesotaCare eligibility for undocumented immigrants is a thorny issue. Each side has reasonable arguments, and time is required to hammer out a compromise that preserves coverage and doesn’t hurt hospitals.
AuthoredJill Burcum
May 13, 2025

Columnists

Olson: Will Minnesotans be able to legally purchase keys after July 1? The kerfuffle continues.

The House-Senate conference committee should scrub the new law on keys or push out the start date.
AuthoredRochelle Olson
May 12, 2025

Columnists

Rash: Record graduation rate merits kudos — and caution

Threats to federal funding are among the challenges to progress on narrowing demographic gaps.
AuthoredJohn Rash
May 11, 2025

Columnists

Brown: Mental illness threatens the harvest in rural Minnesota, but hope grows

State-backed program offers a lifeline, but breaking stigma remains a tough row to hoe.
AuthoredAaron Brown
May 10, 2025

Columnists

Burcum: Stauber sweetens sweetheart deal for Chilean mining firm

The northeast Minnesota congressman is leveraging the budget reconciliation process in an attempt to gut critical Boundary Waters copper mining protections.
AuthoredJill Burcum
May 9, 2025

Columnists

Olson’s Cheers & Jeers: Where leadership is and isn’t

It involves things like “consistent, nondiscriminatory application of the law,” good organization and forthright disclosure.
AuthoredRochelle Olson
May 8, 2025

Columnists

Banks: Reading a little — but not too much — into a papal selection

Can the Roman Catholic Church bring a traditional sensibility to modern concerns? Or vice versa?
AuthoredDavid Banks
May 8, 2025

Columnists

Rash: Trump is risking America’s — and Minnesota’s — key relationship with Canada

The president should respect that our northern neighbor is “not for sale” and mend fences with Minnesota’s largest trading partner.
AuthoredJohn Rash
May 7, 2025

Columnists

Brown: Trump boosts NorthMet, but mines need strong economy, not just bluster

If Trump wants copper-nickel mining in Minnesota, he will need to stop tanking the economy.
AuthoredAaron Brown
May 6, 2025
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