Breaking News

Local Columnists

Town’s dawg caught in ethnic fight

“I got bad news!” exclaimed Madeleine as she rushed through the door of the community hall where 11 of the town’s electors were gathered for the annual midsummer garden report. Chairperson had just called the meeting to order and Holger Danske was standing, ready to give the outlook on carrots for the year. It was really dry so everybody already knew the carrot crop was going to be a fraction of last year’s bumper yield. “Okay, Madeleine. Sit down Holger for Madeleine’s hot flash,” Ork instructed. “Old Sievert isn’t here because he’s positive,” she ...

Get vaccinated — Save your life

We are all tired of COVID-19. Unfortunately, COVID-19 isn’t tired of us. Recent statistics show that the novel coronavirus is once again trending upward. According to the North Dakota Department of Health, COVID-19, including the Delta variant, is present and spreading in North Dakota communities. These new infections are occurring primarily among people who aren’t vaccinated. As the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports, coronavirus HAS BECOME A PANDEMIC OF THE UNVACCINATED. Ninety-nine percent of all the COVID related deaths nationwide are among unvaccinated ...

It’s not too early to think about 2022 election

Tomorrow, the calendar flips to August, and suddenly Minot’s 2022 city election doesn’t quite seem so far away. The 2022 city election will be held June 14; the deadline to file petitions for office is April 11. There are several positions that will be on the ballot, including mayor, and the City Council seats currently held by members Lisa Olson, Mark Jantzer, and Paul Pitner. I know June seems like a long ways away, but it really isn’t far off in the world of political office. If you’re seriously considering running for Minot city council, mayor, or other local office, now ...

Term limits question citizen competence

A committee of petitioners is proposing a constitutional amendment that would limit future North Dakota legislators to eight years of service. The proposal would “grandfather” in all legislators now serving, meaning that all of the alleged evils of the present body would be preserved over the next 30 years. Because the Republicans have overwhelming majorities in both houses, they would eventually suffer the greatest impact of term limits. Since one-party states are always on the verge of fragmentation, there would be more primary fights over legislative seats that would pit ...

Nepotism, Carbon neutrality, Stone Mountain

Biden Near Nepotism Though President Grant wasn’t involved in the nepotism of his leading administrators, newspaper headlines looked very incriminating. Under the circumstances, he should be reminded of previous innocent presidents whose administrations went down in history because of corrupt friends. General Grant’s friends produced the Whiskey Ring in which 100 were convicted of bribery, the Indian Ring in which the secretary of war took bribes, Black Friday in which brothers-in-law rigged the price of gold, and Credit Mobilier that bilked the government and United Pacific of ...

Hwy 52 expansion to benefit Minot, surrounding towns

The upcoming expansion of Highway 52 to a “Super 2” Highway will provide real benefits to drivers traveling to and from Minot, all the way from Carrington up to Kenmare. Currently, this 165-mile stretch of road is largely two-lane highway that supports a significant amount of east to west agriculture and energy transportation, along with drivers traveling between communities in the region. Having grown up in Minot, I’ve traveled this road often, and continue to do so now to visit family and friends. I know just how vital these passing lanes will be to improve roadway safety for ...