Minnesota legislators reached an agreement on a medical marijuana bill Thursday, one that the governor will support. It is an agreement that will provide relief to people suffering from a number of serious medical conditions, it limits the distribution and production of the marijuana extracts ...

There are a few truly significant times in a person's life - one's birthday, wedding day, the birth of one's child or grandchild. Graduation is one of those times.It represents a significant achievement. For high school seniors, it marks the end of 12 years of school and the transition from ...

The Minnesota Department of Education is calling a halt to the experiment with four-day school weeks. According to Minnesota Public Radio, Education Commissioner Brenda Cassellius has told seven of the 11 school districts with four-day school weeks to go back to regular schedules, and another ...

Governor Mark Dayton threatened on Monday to veto the state's bonding bill if it includes a change in the state building code requiring sprinklers in houses of a certain size. The bonding bill would remove that requirementHe is right to make that threat. The state building code isn't a bonding ...

Science, not politics, guides environmental policy in his administration, President Barack Obama insists. No, it does not.Obama's blatantly political blocking of the proposed Keystone XL pipeline, in order to placate radical environmentalists, already has made that clear. But the point was ...

As we celebrate Mother's Day today with cards, flowers and taking Mom out for a fancy brunch or dinner, we can't help but ponder the tremendous impact mothers have had on the world throughout history.Mothers, of course, starting with Eve, have given birth to every human who has ever lived. But ...

Members of Congress should apply a simple test to the American Legion's demand that Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki and two high-ranking subordinates resign.Some lawmakers already have said they plan to investigate allegations dozens of veterans died while awaiting care at a Phoenix VA ...

Defenders of President Barack Obama and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton deride every new attempt to get to the bottom of the September 2012 attack on the U.S. diplomatic mission in Benghazi, Libya. Four Americans were killed.A few days ago, House of Representatives Speaker John ...

Editor's note: Gwen Ruff is filling in for Randy Krzmarzick this week.I've never considered myself very traditionally feminine, so stuff like doing your hair and nails always baffles me.The other day I see these nail appliques that look fun because they're white with script writing. Perfect to ...

Eagle UpdCritical to a strong educational foundation for our students is a systematic approach to curriculum and curriculum development that recognizes the ever-changing needs of students and the state and nation's workforce. The cornerstone to a strong and vibrant curriculum is providing the ...

The issue of medical marijuana seems to be moving along in the Minnesota Legislature. If legislators thinks it is absolutely necessary to pass this, there should be several caveats built into the law. We think legislators have taken care of several of these concerns, and we hope they will keep ...

Waseca had a close call this week. A 17-year-old student at Waseca High School was arrested and charged with planning to kill his family, and continue the massacre at school with homemade bombs and firearms. He told police he had hoped to kill as many students as possible before the SWAT team ...

You've seen it happen dozens of times: A government official breaks the law. He or she is "severely reprimanded" and forced to resign. And there the episode ends.A Federal Election Commission lawyer has resigned after being caught breaking the very laws he was supposed to enforce.FEC officials ...

HomecomingTHUMBS UP: It was nice to have Tippi Hedren come back to New Ulm on Thursday night to talk about her acting career and her work in rescuing and providing sanctuary for animals.Hedren, born in New Ulm and raised in Lafayette, went on to fame and fortune, starring in "The Birds" and ...

Gov. Mark Dayton's belated State of the State speech on Wednesday served two purposes this year. In addition to setting forth some goals for the remainder of the legislative session, the talk signaled the beginning of the state re-election season.The speech was not overtly political, but ...

Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling made it easy for NBA Commissioner Adam Silver to issue Sterling a lifetime ban from the NBA and a $2.5 million fine this week. The racism Sterling expressed a secretly taped discussion with his girlfriend was so blatant and so out of place for someone ...

A jury in Morrison County found Byron Smith guilty of first degree murder on Thursday, in a quick verdict that sends a clear message: In Minnesota, defense of one's home and property does not give you the right to murder someone.Smith, in a well publicized case, shot and killed two teenagers, ...

Most Americans can understand why law enforcement and national security officials want access to information about us - though there are serious, in some cases overriding, invasion of privacy concerns.But the Internal Revenue Service? No way. That clearly crosses an unacceptable line.Several ...

In the past we have bemoaned the lack of discretion and common sense in many cases of school discipline and "zero tolerance" policies for drugs or weapons.This past week another such case popped up, not too far away either, in the United South Central School District in Wells. There, the ...

By Carol DavisNew Ulm Public SchoolsCommunity Education CoordinatorWhat is Community Education?Community Education is an opportunity for local citizens and community schools, agencies and institutions to become active partners in addressing education and community concerns. Community Education ...