Dear Heloise: When making donations to food pantries and organizations who are feeding the homeless and underprivileged, keep in mind that they cannot accept expired, opened or already spoiled food items. If any of your items fall in these categories, please dispose of them because they can’t ...

Minnesotans seek assistance from U.S. government agencies for a variety of reasons — whether it’s to get an answer about Social Security, access to veterans benefits, or assistance with renewing a passport. But, too often, bureaucratic red tape gets in the way. That’s why our state ...

In all Minnesota cities, decisions about housing stock and residential development should be left to local leaders and their residents — not legislators in Saint Paul. With housing shortages and issues of housing affordability occurring statewide, the State Legislature is preparing to ...

This winter I found a way to at least slightly mitigate inflation and increased costs of living. I make myself two or three vegetarian meals a week. It saves money. Food is a big item in my budget, and meat products are a major part of my grocery bill. I don’t have any moral issues about ...

Dear Heloise: Bringing food and items to a family is a nice thing to do after the loss of a loved one. But my fabulous father-in-law recently did something that, I think, sets a great precedent. His next-door neighbor lost someone, so my father-in-law took his lawn mower over and mowed their ...

Dear Annie: I am 70 years old and blessed with two well-settled and caring grown children (one son and one daughter), who have each been blessed with two kids of their own, making me a grandma of 4 under 4; for which I’m very excited and grateful. Every day of my life, it gives me positive ...