editorials

"Bees don't really affect me. In fact, I'd like to see less of them so I don't have to worry about getting stung." It's that kind of apathy that's allowing a bad problem to get worse. Simply put, our bees are in trouble and they need our help.

After next year's census, the majority parties in most states will redraw legislative district boundaries that will be in place for a decade. That work often leads to political gerrymandering — incumbents in charge drawing districts that all but ensure their party will garner...

It's a problem born of a tragedy, and one that all seemed to agree had an obvious solution. But a plan to provide insulin to those who cannot afford it was not included in the final budget negotiations between Democrats and Republicans at the Capitol. Gov. Tim Walz says he would call...

Executive Director Susie Novak invited the Hubbard County Board on June 4 to commit a share of the funding to build a new facility for the Crookston-based North Country Food Bank. Asked to put $35,000 toward a $6 million project, the county board blinked. The North Country Food Bank...

For a month, public services in Baltimore, Md., have been degraded by a powerful cyber attack on the city's computer network. Utilities payment systems have been crippled. Phones and email systems have been compromised. Home sales in the city have been delayed. Welcome to this new...

It wasn't long ago that high school basketball games were needlessly and painstakingly interrupted by numerous jump balls. For those who have forgotten: When two players from separate teams gained equal possession of the ball, play was stopped and those players jumped for the ball...

The Democratic donkey dates back to the 1820s, when President Andrew Jackson was called a jackass by an opponent. It later became the symbol of the party when editorial cartoonist Thomas Nast began using it in his work. The Republican elephant first appeared in 1874 in a cartoon,...

Newspapers get accused all the time. "Too liberal!" "Too conservative!" Calls and emails follow columns or political cartoons that are particularly partisan.

U.S. Rep. Collin Peterson is frustrated with U.S. Customs and Border Protection. It appears he has a legitimate gripe. Friday, the Democrat from Minnesota issued a statement that harshly chastised the agency, which seemingly has muffled its ears as northern Minnesota residents have...

Chinese President Xi Jinping has a luxury not afforded to U.S. President Donald Trump. Xi does not fear his chances at reelection, and he need not worry about critical Chinese media and therefore retribution from voters. Trump, however, must deal with all three as he tries to maneuver...

Here's a little encouragement in these dire times: Things are not as bad as they seem. At least in our neck of the woods. The number of West Central residents (including Becker, Otter Tail and Clay counties) who feel their community is performing well in roads and infrastructure,...

Throughout this legislative session, the Star Tribune Editorial Board has advocated for a middle ground, a path of compromise where both Republicans and Democrats could help advance Minnesota. However, with less than two weeks to go before the session deadline and talks at a stalemate,...

According to the latest American Society of Civil Engineers report card, Minnesota's infrastructure gets an overall grade of "C." Its bridges, dams, drinking water, energy, transit and wastewater categories all receive varying versions of a "C" grade and the state's roads are graded...

GOP Senate elections committee chair Mary Kiffmeyer and GOP Sen. Majority Leader Paul Gazelka have crossed the line into obstructionism by playing political games with election security funding from the federal government. They're holding $6 million of taxpayer funding hostage in...

The Minnesota Chamber's longtime rallying cry has been, "Get out of the top 10 in tax rates!" Yes, responsible taxation can ensure government services and a high quality of life, but no state wants to be one of the most taxed in the nation; heavy tax burdens choke off entrepreneurship,...