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Shadows and Sleuths: Edgar Allan Poe’s Enduring Legacy

As October wanes and the veil between worlds feels thinner, it’s worth revisiting the man who gave American literature its first true detective — and its most haunting shadows. Edgar Allan Poe, often remembered for his tales of terror, also pioneered the detective story with “The Murders in the Rue Morgue” in 1841. His creation of C. Auguste Dupin laid the groundwork for generations of sleuths, from Sherlock Holmes to today’s true crime podcasters. But Poe’s genius wasn’t just in plot. He understood atmosphere — the creak of floorboards, the whisper of guilt, the ...

Return back to the basic principles

Once upon a time, there was a country called the United States of America founded upon the basic principles of freedom, liberty and prosperity. Because of these principles, granted to each of us by our creator, the founders, George Washington, James Madison, Benjamin Franklin and others, met in Philadelphia in May 25 thru September 17, 1878, to revise the Articles of Confederation, however, after much debate they agreed rather than revising the Articles to abolish them and create a new frame of government. On June 21, 1788, the Constitution along with the first 10 Amendments, known ...

Farmers facing crisis of uncertainty — reversing tariffs only way to end it

Right now, rural America is facing a crisis of uncertainty. In Minnesota and across the country, farmers are having trouble making ends meet amid low commodity prices and increasing costs, and farm financial conditions are deteriorating. Farmer loan repayment rates continue to decline in Minnesota and across the Midwest, and small farm bankruptcies have reached a five-year high. Why? Our farmers can’t offset the toll the administration’s tariffs are taking on the rural economy. As I visited family farmers across western and southern Minnesota last month they told me just ...

Searching for book deal with agent anxiety

Some years ago, I got the idea of putting together a book of my collected works. A publisher is needed to embark upon such an adventure, and in order to get a publisher you need a literary agent. After a few timid excursions on the stormy Sea of Literacy, I came into contact with Mitch, a literary agent from New York. Mitch seemed like a nice guy and appeared to be knowledgeable regarding all things literary. Mitch explained that as a first-time author I was trapped in a Catch-22: an author generally can’t get published unless they have already been published. After languishing ...

Court decision deals blow to female sports

The Minnesota Supreme Court on Wednesday ruled biological males have the right to compete in female athletics, a decision Rep. Chris Swedzinski, R-Ghent, said threatens the safety of girls and undermines fair play. House Republicans introduced a pair of bills earlier this year to provide clear protections for female athletes and ensure fairness in competition, but House Democrats blocked them from passing. The Preserving Girls Sports Act (H.F. 12) specifically states that only female students may participate in school sports restricted on the basis of sex to women or girls. Swedzinski ...

Halloween reads from the children’s room

It’s less than a week away from Halloween. I loved the night as a child. I loved all the preparation that went into finding or making the perfect costume for trick-or-treating each year. As a young mother I think I had even more fun dressing my children for their school parties and a night of scouring the neighborhood Halloween night looking for the house that gave out full size candy bars. I remember reading at least one spooky, or not so spooky, story before bed each night the week before Halloween. Here are some favorite picks for spooky, sometimes kooky, Halloween reads Room on ...