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If prosecutor Alvin Bragg’s case is this much of a stretch, he should think twice. Donald Trump’s estranged lawyer Michael Cohen testified for three hours before a New York grand jury, and Mr. Trump has also been invited to appear, a sign that the investigation by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg might be nearing its denouement. The public can hope Mr. Bragg is thinking hard about whether it serves justice to indict an ex-President and 2024 candidate under a baroque legal theory that might fail in a criminal trial. News reports say Mr. Bragg is considering a charge of ...

U.S. military going the wrong direction

The White House is touting President Biden’s U.S. military budget for fiscal 2024 as a record, and Mr. Biden is betting busy Americans won’t look past the headlines. The truth is that he’s asking for a real defense cut, even as the U.S. is waking up late to a world of new threats. The Pentagon’s budget request may seem large at $842 billion. But the figure is only a 3.2% increase over last year, and with inflation at 6% it means a decline in buying power. Compare the 3.2% growth with the double-digit increases for domestic accounts: 19% for the Environmental Protection Agency; ...

Thumbs Up/Down

Loss of a farm institution THUMBS DOWN: Farm cooperatives have a long and successful history in the United States. Farmers who struggled with marketing, pricing and purchasing as individuals banded together and were able to band together to provide services at lower costs and to get better prices for their commodities. This year the Farmers Cooperative of Hanska would have celebrated its 100th birthday. Instead, the cooperative members were forced to disband due to financial problems that started with the explosion at the Burdick Elevator in New Ulm in June 2021. That setback spiraled ...

Watchdogs on patrol prevents bailouts

Over the weekend, the United States suffered the second- and third-largest bank failures in the country’s history. This wasn’t supposed to happen. A slew of protections were put in place after the financial crisis 15 years ago to prevent a repeat of big banks collapsing and nearly taking down the whole banking system with them. But, once again, the federal government had to step in on Sunday evening with what amounted to a bailout of Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank — along with a bazooka of aid to prevent more banks from collapsing on Monday. It’s welcome news that the ...

Minnesota’s export record shows the value of trade

Rising 16% to $27 billion last year, Minnesota’s diverse economy delivered. A healthy debate about Minnesota’s business climate continues amid the din of an unusually active legislative session in St. Paul. Through it all — and despite a worldwide pandemic and war — Minnesota’s manufacturers, miners, farmers, ranchers and others connected to the export sector delivered a record $27 billion in exports last year, according to Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development data released last week. It’s good news for the state, its businesses and workers. And ...

Temper St. Pat’s Day celebrations

No one wants to throw cold water on people’s spirits, especially when the weather is as unpredictable as it is in March. But this reminds us of the critical warning that goes with observances that center on socializing. Don’t drink and drive. This year’s day being a Friday practically doubles the opportunity to enjoy and the chance to make a life-altering mistake. St. Patrick’s Day is the country’s peak point for driving under the influence arrests. The police are on extra patrol. Even if they don’t send out a reminder when they are. The idea is not to escape the ...