Thank you to the officer and ambulance on Dec. 17 for getting here so quickly when Jim had his heart attack. He is doing well at home now. God Bless You. Jim and Shirley Loken

By Tim Rova Guest Op-Ed For more than 25 years, the Roadless Rule has quietly achieved something extraordinary: protecting our national forests while keeping them open to the public. I know this not just as someone who values these lands, but as someone whose life has been shaped by them.   Since 2001, this policy has protected… Read More

The Prairie Spy Alan “Lindy” Linda I squinted and peered out past the dark V-shaped laughing gas mask that pressed so suffocatingly down upon my nose. All I could see, looming over me, were the arc-welder blue eyes of the dentist who was at a frightening pace removing tooth enamel with which I had become very attached. The… Read More

Ask A Trooper Sgt. Jesse Grabow Question:  I listened to your radio show the other day and you were talking about fatal crashes were lower last year, what was the break down on the numbers? Answer: In 2025, Minnesota saw a significant improvement in road safety, recording 370 traffic-related deaths. This marks the lowest fatality count since 2019… Read More

To the Editor, Growing up in the Frazee-Vergas area, where my nearest neighbor was a cornfield away, I learned what it meant to be a neighbor. Hospitality and kindness, watching out for one another. For years I assumed that place would always be home, but then later, relationships drew me to Minneapolis. I arrived a little… Read More

By Jessica Carlson OTC Master Gardener Why not grow your own cut flowers this summer? There is nothing quite like bringing fresh flowers indoors brightening the kitchen table, welcoming guests, or sharing a bouquet with a friend. A cut flower garden doesn’t need to be large or complicated to be rewarding. Now is the time when hopeful… Read More

The Prairie Spy Alan “Lindy” Linda Another holiday has seemingly dragged its heels and taken forever to get here, but once here, has now sped past us with blazing speed and has disappeared forever.  Behind it, it has left Christmas photographs of new babies, questionably selected presents, sleds and toys, sneezing noses, and memories of a few hangovers…. Read More

Ask A Trooper Sgt. Jesse Grabow Question: I travel a lot and I see a number of people making some poor choices when it comes to passing semis and large vehicles. There is no way these big rigs can stop in time when people do these unsafe maneuvers. Can you write about this? Answer: A commercial vehicle is… Read More

To the Editor, Across Minnesota and the country, lawmakers are gathering in their state capitols and Washington, D.C. to begin another year of debating and passing legislation. The democratic process is something America prides itself on and one that requires input to thrive. While the process for public contributions varies by state, one commonality exists—lawmakers need to… Read More

By Jessica Carlson  OTC Master Gardener Holiday cactus are cherished houseplants that brighten the darker months with colorful blooms. Though commonly associated with winter holidays, they have a rich natural history and specific needs that help them thrive year after year. Learning where these plants come from and how they grow can make caring for them simpler… Read More