Opinion - The Timberjay

The humanitarian crisis in Gaza

Concerning Charles Marsden’s response (Aug. 8 Timberjay) to Valerie Myntti’s letter (Aug. 1 Timberjay), distraction and deflection are not an answer to the “uncomfortable moral … more

8/14/25

The long road that got me home to northern Minnesota

I’ve lived in northern Minnesota for 45 years, just 10 miles from downtown Cook. The 2020 census reported its population at 534. My journey before arriving here was a long one. In childhood, I … more

Kathleen McQuillan | 8/14/25

ISD 2142 budget woes

As we reported back in June, the St. Louis County School District is in dire financial straits. Without major changes in the way it currently operates, the district could be facing some existential … more

8/7/25

Life is good: garage sales, new kittens, and trophy wives

I am experiencing some insomnia here in the wee hours of Tuesday morning. My column isn’t ready yet for Wednesday’s edition and I am listening to the rain with images and humor dashing … more

Scarlet Stone | 8/7/25

THIS is what Democracy looks like...

As the rule of law is ignored by our out-of-control president, and his sycophants in Congress pass cruel, immoral, and irresponsible legislation to benefit the wealthy, I hear people saying, “I … more

Betty Firth | 7/31/25

When the light rises, I’ll be there

“I eat rice. I do not eat lice. Rice-lice. River-liver. Rook-look.” My students are Japanese adults learning English. As they try to repeat, one older student looks resentful. At … more

Jean Gendreau | 7/31/25

More mercury in fish

Who wants more mercury in northeastern Minnesota lakes? President Donald Trump, apparently. That’s the only conclusion from the administration’s recent announcement that Trump was … more

7/31/25

Fueling our division

“And that’s the way it is.” For years, that’s how Walter Cronkite signed off from his nightly news broadcast on CBS. And for most of America, that was the gold standard, and … more

7/24/25

AI dangers straight from the horse’s digital mouth

From earlier detection of breast cancer and creating new drugs in a matter of months, not years, to creating a blueprint for fusion energy and mapping the universe in a fraction of the time it would … more

David Colburn | 7/24/25

Letter to Canada

We’re often reminded that there’s a reason for old sayings, such as the one that advises us to remain silent on an issue and only appear uninformed rather than weighing in and removing … more

7/17/25

So many promises unfulfilled

Our government derives its power from the ‘consent of the governed’ – in other words, the people. We call on our leaders, both Democrats and Republicans, to use the power entrusted … more

7/17/25

Look who is calling the kettle black

This week I received a fund-raising appeal from Sen. Hauschild, expressing his anger because the “Big, Beautiful Bill” that just passed Congress gave “billionaires in the largest … more

7/17/25

How about another conspiracy theory?

Pete Stauber is concerned about air quality coming from the Canadian wildfires, and he wants something done about it. So, my advice to Stauber, is the following: Get ahold of “fearless … more

7/17/25

A fact check on letter’s claims re: Twin Metals

Dan Hernesmaa’s letter in the June 27 edition contains incorrect statements about important matters relating to the Antofagasta/Twin Metals proposal to mine copper upstream from the Boundary … more

7/17/25

Stauber shows environmental leadership, sort of

I am writing about Rep. Pete Stauber on the pages of the Timberjay because I don’t believe he reads mail sent from outside his district. Although I own property in St. Louis County, … more

7/17/25

Enough of the man who doesn’t give a damn...

Many people in northern Minnesota recognize the name Pete Stauber. But recently, I’ve discovered that a lotta people don’t. Some folks say that they “kinda know who he is,” … more

Kathleen McQuillan | 7/17/25

Rural health care

Back in May, health care officials in our area were incredulous at the scale of the Medicaid cuts passed by the U.S. House in the so-called One Big Beautiful Bill Act, but remained confident that the … more

7/10/25

Is this where America is heading under Trump?

Freedom of conscience. That’s been one of the guiding principles of life in America since its founding— a recognition that we all have a right to our own views, our own religion, or our … more

Marshall Helmberger | 7/10/25

A hippie screen printer’s Fourth of July reflections

Well, another Fourth of July has come and gone, and I enjoyed the entire week ramping up to the holiday by bunting my deck rails, in addition to Porch Lady and adding some colorful lawn spinners to … more

Scarlet Stone | 7/10/25

America’s birthday

Today is America’s 249th birthday, and that is cause enough for the usual celebrations and flag-waving with family and friends. But given the current state of our nation, we would hope readers … more

7/2/25

A reminder of our history of making good, necessary trouble

There is trouble in the land, and this week’s celebrations of the 4th of July stir layers of mixed feelings for many Americans, those who yearn to be Americans, and those around the world who … more

Betty Firth | 7/2/25

Plenty of time to find the answers on copper-nickel mine

I can’t agree with Carla Arneson’s letter to the editor. Her claims are all hypothetical in nature. No actual facts based on this potential mine. If she wants, she can Google Dr. Rens … more

6/27/25

An open letter to Rep. Pete Stauber

Rep. Stauber…what will your response be to the assassination of Melissa Hortman and her husband and the shooting of Senator Hoffman and his wife on July 14? We need more than your prayers. I … more

6/26/25

Letter writer misses the mark

Dan Hernesmaa’s letter in the June 13 edition of the Timberjay was long on Twin Metals talking points but short on facts, science, and law. Antofagasta’s Twin Metals did not lose lawful … more

6/26/25

Comparing Trump’s promises with the reality

As July 4 approaches and the celebration of the people and our country begins, one evaluates what was promised with pre-election rhetoric, comparing such with what’s happened recently. • … more

6/26/25