Louise Seeba is one of St. Paul Public Schools’ two new school board members. Born and raised on the Iron Range, where she was brought up by her single mother and grandparents, today she’s a lawyer for the City of St. Paul, an avid member of the St. Paul Curling Club, the wife of a teacher and the mother of two children in the district.MORE »

When Steven Rosenstone, chancellor of Minnesota State Colleges and Universities, spoke last week at the Compass annual meeting, he could have been mistaken for a Chamber of Commerce representative. I don't mean that as a compliment.

Rosenstone emphasized the need for "aligning academic programs with business needs" and for "a better understanding of the precise workforce needs that businesses in every sector face," but did not mention anything positive about liberal education. The closest he came was noting that not everybody needs a Ph.D. in philosophy. I won't argue with that, but there's a lot of territory that lies somewhere in between doctoral degrees and job training programs. MORE »

“The highlight clearly was that this is a immigrant farmers’ conference; its their conference,” said Glen Hill, the executive director for Minnesota Food Association.  “They are represented, feel comfortable, speak and share, and they feel empowered.” MORE »

As any American who takes in an evening of opera can vouch, there's something a bit out of place about the art form. I'm not talking about the need for English supertitles (although a little reading never hurt anyone). And obese strangers rambling about what they love or hate has become startlingly commonplace (thanks, YouTube). No, I'm talking about a long-standing practice that can make any Yankee wrinkle his or her nose before the orchestra even plays a note: the damn program.MORE »

The charge that there are too many burdensome laws on the books in Minnesota is one that most legislators are familiar with — whether they agree with it or not. It’s at the core of the debate over the proper size and role of government.

But this year, it’s the proliferation of a different type of government power that’s in the crosshairs: the rules created by state agencies. MORE »

On Tuesday the integration revenue task force approved a plan they will submit to the Minnesota legislature for how $110 million of integration revenue should be repurposed.MORE »

What will fill one hundred and twenty-two acres of prime real estate overlooking the Mississippi River in Highland Park, where the Ford assembly plant operated from 1924 until December 16, 2011?  The Ford Motor Company owns the property and is now looking to sell it to a developer.MORE »

The Obama administration said this month that church-run hospitals, universities and charities, like other employers, must cover birth control in their health insurance plans, as an essential provision for women's health care. Despite the protests of the Catholic hierarchy, this decision is the right thing to do.MORE »

In 2005, Afrik Grocery and Halal Meat on Cedar Avenue needed to expand. Owner Abdi Adem, who operates his business under Sharia law, needed to find a loan that funded the expansion and complied with his religious beliefs.

Finding the loan was easier than he expected.MORE »

At age eight, Rep. Mindy Greiling (DFL-Roseville) knew she wanted to become a teacher. Years later, her accomplishments would include earning both a bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education, teaching in St.MORE »