Jockey Ron Turcotte sits on Secretariat on their way from the paddock area to the track at Belmont Park on June 9, 1973. Secretariat won the Belmont S
Associated Press file
Jockey Ron Turcotte sits on Secretariat on their way from the paddock area to the track at Belmont Park on June 9, 1973. Secretariat won the Belmont Stakes and the Triple Crown.

Readers Write: Secretariat and the love of horses, Minnesota's future

June 10, 2023
Lifelong joy, thanks to the Nankivils. Plus: Letters responding to Star Tribune Opinion's call for submissions.
The Minnesota House chambers

Minnesota's future — the legislative process: How to make laws that make sense

June 10, 2023
A good statute deserves plain language, not legalese and its ilk.
The Minnesota State Capitol building in St. Paul.

Minnesota's future — the thought process: How to get to a creative, cooperative society

June 10, 2023
Let's start with what the federal government can do for the states.
A divided house responds to Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz’s remarks during the State of the State address Wednesday, April 19, 2023, in the house chambers

Minnesota's future — the politics: How to do right by the middle class

June 10, 2023
The world is changing and we need to change with it — while giving those facing upheaval both the means to adapt and the belief that their own efforts still drive their destinies.
Minnesota's future: How to be part of it (and what 'it' is)

Minnesota's future: How to be part of it (and what 'it' is)

June 14, 2023
We need to create the context for a thriving state.
“To fundamentally move forward, Minnesotans will have to confront new challenges, new ideas, new cultures and new ways of living.” Michael Maupin

Minnesota's future: How to build community

June 14, 2023
It's a problem here. Fixing it will require ending a "go-it-alone" psychology, culture and communication habits.
A solitary tree stood in a corn field north of Crane Creek Road in Owatonna, Minnesota after snow fell on Tuesday, January 7, 2019.

Minnesota's future: Does the cold weather make this state isolating?

June 14, 2023
At least in my experience since I moved here to study, it's difficult to find the "third spaces" where ideas bloom that otherwise might not.
Steven Schier
June 15, 2023
This year, Oregon state Senate Republicans staged a walkout to prevent the majority Democrats from enacting controversial legislation. Above, Jennifer

Minnesota's political future has already happened in two other states

Washington and Oregon, with similar demographics to this state's, suggest the path forward.
Kip Sullivan
June 17, 2023
“For the last 50 years, the Legislature has been oblivious to the role that administrative costs have played in health care inflation,” Kip Sulliv

Minnesota's future: How to contain health care costs, revisited

The Legislature has ordered up multiple studies on the issue. Here's what we should hope they will deliver.
Mary Meland, Dale Dobrin, Ada Alden and Roger Sheldon
June 17, 2023

Minnesota's future: Expect to reap what we've sown

That's a good thing — in a few years, we'll be hearing the success stories resulting from this year's efforts for the well-being of children.
Kate Downing Khaled and Adair Mosely
June 18, 2023
The downtown Minneapolis skyline in September 2021

Minnesota's future: A new vision for downtown Minneapolis

We start by recognizing that downtown was never previously designed for everyone.
James Schoettler, Jay Severance, Jerome Johnson, Mat Hollinshead, Greg Struve and Joe Landsberger
June 17, 2023

Minnesota's future: A metropolitan transit philosophy for the 21st century

One built for the region, not just the downtowns. One that ends the problem of "you can't get there from here."
  Arne H. Carlson
June 19, 2023
The Minnesota State Capitol

Arne Carlson: Big vision is not enough — integrity, competence are key

Citizens need to be able to trust their government.
Dave Panetti
June 21, 2023
“Savoring breakfast burritos, cheese curds and fresh flowers galore at the Minneapolis Farmer’s Market; discovering new treasures at various indep

Minnesota's future: It's good to be home in Minnesota

We haven't lived here for years, but we still call this home.
Andy Brehm
June 22, 2023
A technician set up the stage for the GOP state convention, May 12, 2022 in Rochester, Minn.

Minnesota's future: Make the GOP relevant again

We can't win if we don't show up.
Lori Sturdevant
June 24, 2023
The Minnesota State Capitol building in St. Paul.

Minnesota's future: Early ed champions are thrilled, not satisfied

Major progress was made, but we need to do more for children from low-income families.
Scott Jensen
June 24, 2023
“When guaranteed access to abortion disappeared and the new reality became that each state would determine its own abortion policy, the nature of th

Scott Jensen: Abortion reconsidered — reading our collective moral compass

A balanced amendment on the ballot would allow voters to decide what edicts should be contained in the Minnesota Constitution regarding abortion access.
Peter Coyle
June 25, 2023

Minnesota's future: Rescue state's natural treasures, starting with Lake Pepin

If something isn't done, Lake Pepin will cease to exist.
Tom Horner
June 25, 2023
Gov. Tim Walz attends a bill-signing party on May 24 celebrating a jam-packed legislative session on the Capitol steps in St. Paul with supporters, le

Minnesota's future: Minnesota Miracle or Minnesota Mayhem?

That depends on whether policymakers make good governance a top priority.
Tuleah Palmer
June 26, 2023
“There is still common ground among us and at least a plurality who believe our intrinsic value is not dependent on who we are, how much money we ma

Minnesota's future: Urban and rural Minnesota need each other more than ever

Especially on energy transitions.