Opinion - The Timberjay

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

Choosing freedom

In Arkansas, Republican Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders recently signed into a law a measure making it easier for businesses to employ children as young as 14. In Florida, school libraries have been … more

3/29/23 | 1 comment

Reveling in the annual madness of March

The annual American ritual of March Madness, the popular name for the NCAA Division I men’s basketball tournament, is in full swing, and I am once again caught up in the fray.As a child of … more

David Colburn | 3/22/23

Fighting the last war

It’s often said that generals are always ready to fight the last war, and it seems the same applies to the U.S. Federal Reserve when it comes to its ongoing battle with inflation. Central … more

3/22/23

Making the U.S. work takes all of us

The northern Minnesota political drama in recent weeks has been compelling. The Ely City Council presented yet another resolution (their 8th or 9th?) in favor of copper sulfide mining. A town hall … more

Betty Firth | 3/16/23

Town hall lies

We think Rep. Roger Skraba should be reconsidering the company he keeps.We actually had some hope that Rep. Skraba could make a decent lawmaker in St. Paul. Over the years, he has run for any number … more

3/16/23 | 1 comment

A representative democracy has served us well

We Americans live in a representative democracy. That’s a fundamental feature of public life in the United States, a part of who we are as a people. We elect leaders to make decisions on our … more

Lee Hamilton | 3/8/23

2nd Amendment nonsense

The organized effort by conservative activists in northern Minnesota to push an agenda opposed to gun safety is deceptive and county commissioners across the region shouldn’t fall for it. The … more

3/8/23 | 1 comment

Searching for joy in the smallest of things

It’d been a long winter already when I was hit with a flu bug that sent me into quarantine for two weeks. After a few days, determined not to let the isolation drive me crazy, I came across a … more

Kathleen McQuillan | 3/1/23

Rail safety

There but for the grace of God.It’s worth considering that the recent environmental disaster created by the train derailment near East Palestine, Ohio, could have devastated virtually any … more

3/1/23

Why Black history is my history

I’ll never forget the day in eighth grade when I was digging around through a box of my Dad’s college papers in the basement and came across a family tree he’d done. There was a … more

David Colburn | 2/22/23 | 1 comment

Applause for area ambulances

“Small Is Beautiful.”That was the title of the influential 1973 economics and philosophy primer by E.F. Schumacher, but it also appears to be a good description of what it takes to be a … more

2/22/23

Why don’t you get it?

Brené Brown, Ph.D., MSW, research professor at the University of Houston, is well-known for her many books and podcasts on courage, vulnerability, shame, and empathy. While conducting training … more

Betty Firth | 2/15/23

Park Service violations

The Timberjay’s ongoing investigation into the tasing of an Ash River business owner by rangers in Voyageurs National Park has raised troubling questions about the actions of park law … more

2/15/23