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Burcum: Having weathered 2025 trade turbulence, a Minnesota farm family now braces for 2026

There’s no end in sight to the instability created by President Donald Trump’s trade policies, and one analysis projects more challenges in the new year.
AuthoredJill Burcum
December 28, 2025
The Johnson family in their living room in Kenyon, Minn., on Dec. 10. While Talia, 14, and her mom Meredith unpacked Meredith’s Snow Baby collection, Ellie, 9, steadied herself on her father Ben’s head while she searched for an chocolate ornament to eat from the family Christmas tree. On the right is Frederick, 12.

Columnists

Rash: PBS’ Nick Schifrin on the importance of journalism, from local to global

Journalism helps us ‘understand each other as Americans,’ the NewsHour correspondent said in Minneapolis.
AuthoredJohn Rash
December 27, 2025

Columnists

Olson’s Cheers & Jeers: A life turned around in service after decades in prison

Plus: “Fraud tourism,” a shooting tragedy in Stewartville, the Democrats’ 2024 election campaign and more.
AuthoredRochelle Olson
December 26, 2025

Columnists

Brown: Despite arguments and heartbreak, a bipartisan friendship shows the way

After 40 years, what they had left was not disagreement but devotion.
AuthoredAaron Brown
December 24, 2025
Matt Matasich, left, and Karl Oberstar, Jr., right, attend a Singing Slovenes concert on the Iron Range in early September.

Columnists

Rash: The clock is ticking on the credibility of ‘60 Minutes’ — and CBS

Administration sources’ silence cannot be used as a “kill switch” on a story.
AuthoredJohn Rash
December 23, 2025

Columnists

Grove: 2025’s reminder: Take nothing for granted

There’s hope for journalism when the public decides it matters.
AuthoredSteve Grove
December 21, 2025
Attendees of the Wrap gathered at the Heritage Center in Minneapolis on Jan. 3.

Columnists

Burcum: ‘Zero impact,’ or rolling the dice on vets’ health care?

Scrutiny of Veterans Affairs’ staffing decisions is imperative after report that thousands of vacancies will go unfilled.
AuthoredJill Burcum
December 20, 2025

Columnists

Brown: We need more communication about mining and the environment, not less

The point of negotiation is not to crown a winner but to find shared opportunity.
AuthoredAaron Brown
December 20, 2025

Columnists

Olson’s Cheers & Jeers: In bad news for car thieves, Ellison wins Kia-Hyundai lawsuit

Plus: ICE flights at MSP, the hunter accused of bagging a bull moose, upheaval at the U and more.
AuthoredRochelle Olson
December 19, 2025

Columnists

Brown: It’s Christmastime, which means it’s time to count birds

The Audubon Society’s annual wildlife survey is a big deal, and everyone’s welcome.
AuthoredAaron Brown
December 18, 2025
Aaron Brown, John Latimer and Malachy Koons look for birds on Dec. 14, 2025 during a stop on the annual Christmas Bird Count in Itasca County.

Columnists

Rash: Minnesota brings ‘a breath of energy’ to human rights advocacy

“We should just be coming here and learning — fast,” said Amnesty International USA’s executive director, Paul O’Brien.
AuthoredJohn Rash
December 17, 2025

Columnists

Olson: Whose model is better for Minnesota, Trump or Walz?

Voters must weigh the governor’s fraud response against how MAGA tactics affect our state.
AuthoredRochelle Olson
December 16, 2025
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