editorials

With recreational marijuana now legal in Colorado and Washington, and medicinal marijuana available in more than 20 states, including Minnesota, many people seem to think the drug is harmless. They may want to think again: More Americans are seeking treatment for cannabis-related...

Instead of spending so much time agonizing over the consequences of legalizing marijuana, more energy and attention should be focused on an already legal drug – alcohol. Sure, we all know how bad alcohol abuse is, but it’s become such an interwoven part of our social norms, it’s...

A cellphone privacy decision by the U.S. Supreme Court sends a strong message that technology will not undermine protections guaranteed by the Fourth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. The court said police must obtain a warrant to search for information on a suspect’s cellphone....

A new study on risky teen behavior released last week contains both good and bad news – along with a message. On the positive side, American teens are smoking less, drinking less and fighting less. More of them are also wearing bicycle helmets and seat belts. Among the findings:...

Remember telemarketing? A few years ago, the practice was impossible to forget. That’s because you’d be reminded of it every evening, as one company after another called you at home and tried to make a sale. The companies were free to do so. But because their freedom proved...

An important piece of legislation was unanimously approved earlier this month by both the Minnesota House and Senate and has now been signed by Gov. Dayton. S.F. 1770 – commonly known as the “Timberjay bill” – may not have captured many headlines, but its significance goes...

The Internet as we know it is at a crossroads – there may soon be serious changes one way or the other. The catch phrase is “net neutrality,” and if it makes your eyes glaze over, snap out of it – this is important. Here’s how Sen. Al Franken describes it: “Net neutrality...

The candidate filing period for state primary and general elections and for municipal/school district elections where a primary is possible opens next week. For the 2014 election year, candidate filing opens on Tuesday and runs through June 3. An election is important at all...

Math scores are flat. Reading scores are down. Other countries do better. The news about American students’ test results can make for depressing reading. But it’s vital information, because it generates so much energy, so much determination and so many valuable experiments in...

General Motors has harmed its reputation and goodwill because of its failure over 10 years to recall small vehicles with a faulty ignition switch. This recall that began in February over a 57-cent part has now grown to 2.6 million vehicles worldwide. Since 2005, GM elected not to...

This one should be a no-brainer: Take away the “get out of jail free” card Minnesota legislators now enjoy when it comes to driving drunk. We agree with the Mothers Against Drunk Driving organization that has joined Concordia University political science students in support...

This week is Asbestos Awareness Week and it comes as a good reminder to take precautions before remodeling to prevent exposure. Each year in the United States, 2,000-3,000 people are diagnosed with a deadly form of lung disease caused by exposure to asbestos and 10,000 Americans...

There’s confusion at the Capitol. Last session the Minnesota Legislature bumped up by 5 percent the rates paid to the nursing homes caring for our elderly and others. This year no increase is being considered for nursing homes. But at the same time a waiver program that helps keep...

There’s confusion at the Capitol. Last session the Minnesota Legislature bumped up by 5 percent the rates paid to the nursing homes caring for our elderly and others. This year no increase is being considered for nursing homes. But at the same time a waiver program that helps keep...

This editorial originally appeared in The Forum on March 27. At a time when more pipeline capacity is being touted as one answer to the glut of oil on the rails, an uprising against more pipelines is simmering. In rural Minnesota, the simmer has boiled over into outright opposition. It’s...