Opinion - The Timberjay

It’s easy to get caught up in the challenges associated with immigration: controversy over the U.S.-Mexico border, discomfort with demographic change in urban and rural communities, and so on. … more

Lee Hamilton | 11/7/24

It’s time to reexamine, assess, and refresh

To be really honest, I think this election season could possibly be the worst in recent history — way too long and fraught with one shocking development after another. There were the numerous … more

Kathleen McQuillan | 11/7/24

End the Electoral College

As of this writing, we know who the next president of the United States will be, even as it remains unclear which candidate— Kamala Harris or Donald Trump— will ultimately win the most … more

11/7/24

Election has me sleepless in Soudan

As this would be my last chance to vent before the most important, most consequential election of our lifetime, I’m writing what should be my last letter on the subject of Donald Trump, the … more

11/2/24

Braver Angels can help us navigate our divided politics

“In the past two weeks have you been feeling down, depressed, or hopeless?” You recognize that question if you’ve had a clinic appointment recently. But did you know that right now … more

11/2/24

Where I stand on the issues affecting the Iron Range

As I run to represent District 7B in the Minnesota House, I am grateful for the widespread support I’ve received from community leaders, and proud of the endorsements from over 30 civic … more

11/2/24

Don’t forget those who don’t hunt but enjoy venison

While it may be true that 92 percent of Minnesotans don’t hunt deer — suggesting they may have a different perspective on the deer and/or wolf populations– it’s likely … more

11/1/24

Lorrie J: Less conflict, more solutions for 7B

A flyer in my rural mailbox for 7B MN House candidate Cal Warwas had a theme: Single party control of government is “a disaster.” But every MN House seat across the Iron Range and rural … more

11/1/24

Trump’s refusal to accept the election is disqualifying

We are just a week from the 2024 election. According to recent polls, approximately one-third of Americans still believe that the 2020 election was stolen. This is why I believe it was not. William … more

11/1/24

What would God really think of one Donald J. Trump?

“You know what God left out of the bible? Your opinion.” So said a Church billboard on the way into town. That statement seems to imply that the bible is God’s opinion. I must ask … more

11/1/24

What does Trump stand for?

As Election Day draws near next Tuesday, we must look at the difference in the presidential candidates and their political parties. Donald Trump has vilified immigrants with vile hate speech, child … more

11/1/24

Vote against someone who votes against women

As a woman and a mother, I am terribly disappointed in Pete Stauber. It seems as though he has no respect for us women and our contributions to family and community. He voted: • NO … more

10/31/24

Joe White is right for Babbitt

Joe White is right for the people of Babbitt. Joe’s commitment to family, state, and community speaks volumes of his character. Joe has the dedication and foresight to guide Babbitt into … more

10/31/24

Choose Jen Schultz for the Eighth

I can list many reasons to vote for Jen Schultz, all of them seriously valid and exciting for our future. But one reason that all of us should be able to agree on is that Pete Stauber’s … more

10/31/24

Lorrie combines strength, intelligence, and diplomacy

Lorrie Janatopoulos is the ideal candidate to represent our unique Iron Range and its core values in St. Paul. We, Jerry and Patty Janezich, ask you to please consider voting for Lorrie. … more

10/31/24

The Big Lie and the U.S. Constitution

No one should be supporting one who took an oath to uphold the U.S. Constitution, yet refused to accept the results of a free and fair election, or who concocted a fake elector scheme, refused to … more

10/31/24

Brother, can you spare some art?

Where can you go in Ely and many Minnesota communities for free entertainment and education? You might be surprised to find out what you have been missing at your public library. Programs in four … more

Betty Firth | 10/31/24

A pivotal election

Next Tuesday, voters here in the North Country will join their fellow Americans in making the most consequential political decision in all of our lifetimes. None of us has ever seen a presidential … more

10/31/24

Stauber would rank near the bottom

This year, 154 presidential historians ranked all of America’s presidents, including President Joe Biden, who ranked No. 14, and former President Donald Trump, who ranked much, much, much … more

10/26/24

Janatopoulos will support civil rights, not censorship

In the race for Minnesota House District 7B, it is imperative voters be able to listen through the soundbites and dog whistles and see through the coded messages and euphemisms. In the race between … more

10/26/24

Don’t be fooled by big outside money

This is the season of obnoxious, negative campaign literature in the form of large postcards which are intended to give a few sound bites of information and graphics in a glance before you toss them … more

10/26/24

In voting this year, consider the risk

This “presidential” election is not about public policy. It is about risk. The question is simple. Is the ascension of Donald Trump to the highest office in the land worth the risk? … more

10/25/24

Operating on belief rather than reality has consequences

The late paleontologist Stephen Jay Gould once defined science and religion as “two non-overlapping magisteria,” where religion provides certainty but no testability, and science provides … more

10/25/24

Why I support Donald J Trump

Most of us know, but few of us will admit it out loud. Democracy has reached its limit. It has been a great run of 250 years and across many continents, but times and global circumstances are very … more

10/25/24

Skraba rides for free thanks to the DFL

Labor built the middle class. Republicans, à la Reagan, did their best to break labor. Think PATCO in the ‘80s. No middle class for you, America. But labor gave us this beautiful term, … more

10/25/24