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

Columns

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 ...

Court decision deals blow to female sports

Columns

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 ...

Olsen’s concertina put smiles on many faces for decades

Editorials

“Is everybody happy.” Larry Olsen yelled out that more than once when he played his concertina with his brother Leon, who was also working his magic on the musical instrument well known in polka circles. While Larry hails from the Lake Benton area, his brother resided in New Ulm. But the two brothers often got together to share their love for polka. Leon Olsen died on Oct. 22 after a brief battle with cancer at the age of 72. When it comes to polka music, Leon Olsen’s resume is extraordinary. He definitely leaves a musical legacy that rates among the great ones. He ...

Searching for book deal with agent anxiety

Columns

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 ...

Thumbs up/down

Editorials

THUMBS UP NU schools teaming up with St. James, Madelia on gymnastics Thursday, the New Ulm School board approved an application for cooperative sponsorship that would join New Ulm’s gymnastics program with St. James and Madelia’s program. Superintendent Sean Koster explained that New Ulm Public Schools already partners with Minnesota Valley Lutheran and Cathedral High School on gymnastics; however participation levels are low. The three New Ulm schools have 13 participants. St. James and Madelia are in a similar situation with nine participants total. For this reason it makes ...

Halloween reads from the children’s room

Columns

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 ...