National
Bringing cooperation into the Cities
Local advocates for cooperatives are celebrating signs that momentum is gaining for legislation that gives cooperative business development a boost in urban and underserved communities like existing programs that serve rural areas.MORE »
The digital anti-piracy laws: a breakdown
Amid worldwide protests and crumbling support, the fates of digital anti-piracy measures remain uncertain.
Saturday, thousands across Europe protested the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement, a multinational treaty geared to increase enforcement of copyright laws across borders and on the Internet. Wednesday, Bulgaria became the sixth country to delay ratification of ACTA.MORE »
Slamdance Film Festival recap, in absentia: From a Minnesota-made stunner to the worst film of 2012
It was a first this year that, due to scheduling conflicts, I was unable to catch anything at the Slamdance Film Festival. When I say I was not able to catch a film, I mean that it was the first time I have not been able to attend a Slamdance screening in the five years I’ve been heading out to Park City, Utah for the simultaneous Sundance Film Festival. I was bummed that I missed my chance to catch musician/filmmaker Neil Young and filmmaker/producer Jonathan Demme speak at a morning coffee panel to talk about their careers.MORE »
NDAA opponents search for next phase of protest
Approximately 70 people representing various activist groups in Minnesota rallied on Friday, February 3rd to protest the National Defense Authorization Act, or NDAA. The act, passed by congress and signed by President Obama, includes provisions that allow for the seizure and indefinite holding, without trial, of American citizens suspected of terrorist activities.MORE »
Swing state
Any analysis of national elections always comes down to a few “Swing States”. These are the states that are not reliably in one camp or another but are up for grabs. None of them has characterized the national elections better than Ohio, a state that had 20 Electoral Votes through the 2000s – a fairly rich prize. It has served as a valuable “bellwether”, picking the winner conMORE »
Obama looks to up student loans
As tuition costs for college students soar, President Barack Obama has proposed a blueprint for aiding students’ financial woes.
As Obama prepares his proposed budget, which he’ll reveal next week, he has introduced several initiatives to make college more affordable.MORE »
Essential health benefits discussion draws criticism
With less than two years before individuals and employers choose new coverage plans as directed by the Affordable Care Act, local legislators are trying to wade through federal mechanics of mandated coverage and how new required services will impact health care costs.MORE »
What do cattle branding, food safety, electronic ear-tags and grass-fed beef have to do with one another?
Some think the answer is "not a heck of a whole lot," but others are pushing for the connections.MORE »
Santorum wins GOP vote in Minn.
Rick Santorum won the Minnesota caucuses Tuesday night — a symbolic victory just north from where he won the first caucus of the election season in Iowa a month ago.
The former Pennsylvania state senator also won the Colorado caucus and Missouri primary Tuesday.MORE »
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