Opinion - The Timberjay

Our complicity in feeding the media beast

Last week the world had a front row seat to a drama playing out in the murky depths of the frigid North Atlantic Ocean, courtesy of a media landscape all too eager to capitalize on consumers’ … more

David Colburn | 6/30/23

When “pushing through” proves better than “backing out”

In late March, I received my first ever Evite. It was announcing the 2023 Mihos family reunion to be held June 11 at the home of my cousin in Metamora, Mich., just outside of Flint. That surprise … more

Kathleen McQuillan | 6/21/23

What next for Tower’s ambulance service?

It appears the proposal for an ambulance joint powers board to operate the Tower Area Ambulance Service is all but dead, and that’s probably just fine. As we’ve seen in recent months in … more

6/21/23 | 1 comment

Who’s bugging you recently?

Is this what we were fantasizing about on a brutal 30 below night? As we damned the ice dams causing a rain forest in the kitchen, were we dreaming of participating in an involuntary blood drive, … more

Betty Firth | 6/14/23

The cult of lying

What ever happened to the Republican Party? In the wake of the 37-count indictment of former President Donald Trump for violations of the Espionage Act, false statements to federal law enforcement … more

6/14/23 | 3 comments

Thoughts on the growing wedge of wokeness

To listen to Florida governor and Republican presidential candidate Ron DeSantis and others of his ilk, the greatest enemy facing America today is, oddly enough, wokeness. DeSantis has declared war … more

David Colburn | 6/7/23

Spreading intolerance

This is a disturbing moment in American society as emerging forces seem intent on taking us down a dangerous path toward intolerance. It’s a destination we must avoid. We know that feelings of … more

6/7/23

Immigration policy should serve America’s interests

All eyes have been on the U.S.-Mexico border in recent weeks as politicians and pundits assess the impact of changing rules for who can enter the United States. But the fixation on the border can … more

Lee Hamilton | 5/31/23

An accomplished session

Historic. That’s an apt description for the just-completed legislative session here in Minnesota that blew away previous guideposts for productivity. While Minnesotans will no doubt disagree on … more

5/31/23

How can we make our communities more welcoming?

What do you think of when you hear the words, “Welcoming Community”? Maybe you recall the time you were new to town and a stranger knocked on your door with an unexpected invitation to … more

Kathleen McQuillan | 5/24/23

Republican hypocrisy

Breathtaking gall. That’s the best description of what House Republicans are attempting to pass off as prudent concern about the growing federal debt. We know, for a historical fact, that … more

5/24/23

Angling through my memories of fishing

I’ve not yet jumped in to join the fishing opener frenzy here in Minnesota, but the big event has sparked a bit of reminiscing about my angling past. I remember the first rod and reel I held in … more

David Colburn | 5/17/23

The sausage grinder

Otto von Bismarck once quipped that: “Laws are like sausages, it is better not to see them being made.” That would certainly apply to two recent congressional hearings, one held here in … more

5/17/23 | 2 comments

A lifeline of hope, or get up and do something

In our times there has been a lot of commentary about the aftermath of COVID. It is reported that young people and adults are expressing unusual levels of loneliness and disconnectedness, in spite of … more

Betty Firth | 5/10/23

Assault at Voyageurs

The release of body cam footage stemming from the tasing of Ash River business owner Justin Ebel has largely confirmed what we have suspected from the beginning about this troubling incident at … more

5/10/23

ChatGPT, deepfakes, and the fabrication of truth

I hope you will all join me in offering hearty congratulations to our publisher, Marshall Helmberger, for being awarded a Pulitzer Prize in journalism for his ongoing coverage of the copper-nickel … more

David Colburn | 5/3/23

Take a second look for schools

The Legislature appears to be giving to schools with one hand and taking away with the other, and it could prove a huge challenge to school districts in our region. We’ve spoken to two business … more

Marshall Helmberger | 5/3/23

Leaving the earth a better place

Three young men work in silence excavating the place where their grandmother’s body will be buried — free of harsh embalming chemicals or the effects of a fiery furnace. No concrete vault … more

Kathleen McQuillan | 4/26/23

Fox News and its lies

Fox News lies to its viewers for money. That’s among the many revelations that emerged in the lead-up to what many expected would be a blockbuster trial between Dominion Voting Systems and Fox … more

4/26/23 | 1 comment

An unforgettable Easter in Sri Lanka

When I inherited a small amount of money when my mother passed in 2018, one of the things I determined to do was to travel abroad for the first time in my life. Social media helped to determine my … more

David Colburn | 4/19/23

It’s called corruption

The revelations centered around Justice Clarence Thomas and his involvement with right-wing billionaire Harlan Crow went from bad to worse in recent days, as ProPublica reported that Crow had … more

4/19/23 | 5 comments

Ambulance funding

Communities around the region are increasingly aware that the old model of funding ambulance services exclusively through the insurance payments generated by users is no longer viable. As services … more

4/12/23 | 1 comment

Easing into the life of a weekly editor

It’s always enlightening to examine the nuances of a new place after moving across the country. After a third of a year at the Timberjay, I took a look at my experiences so far with returning … more

Catie Clark | 4/5/23

Facts and law

There’s an old axiom in the legal world: If the facts are on your side, pound the facts. If the law is on your side, pound the law. And when neither the facts nor the law is on your side, pound … more

4/5/23

Will the mothers’ legacies live on?

During March, we’re reminded of the many great women who have carved frontiers and unlocked doors for women and girls. We marvel at their passions pursued, barriers overcome, and outstanding … more

Kathleen McQuillan | 3/29/23