Open veins of West Central Wisconsin: Pepin County, and seven short videos on the price of frac sand
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The citizen-led scrutiny of the price of industrial-scale silica sand mining to their communities continues. Continue Reading
Real price of sand in Wisconsin: Political spending, impaired property values and tourist activity
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St. Paul documentary filmmaker Jim Tittle was one of the first to take a close look at “The Price of Sand” when he learned in 2011 that energy production company Windsor Permian bought land near his parents’ home in Goodhue County’s Hay Creek Township, but isn’t the last person asking that question. Continue Reading
Fontgate: Minnesota House Republicans launch late-session crusade for large print formatting
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At two in the morning, the Minnesota House finally took up the bill to allow home-based childcare providers and personal care attendants to organize and vote on union representation. Continue Reading
Minnesota legislature to trout and citizens: Drop dead; New report challenges WI happy mining job numbers
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A frac sand industry-friendly compromise has been reached in the Minnesota legislature over mining near trout streams. Meanwhile, a new report commissioned and published by the Wisconsin Farmers Union, the Wisconsin Towns Association and the Minneapolis-based IATP suggests that industrial sand mining falls short as an engine of job creation. Continue Reading
“A very loving and supporting family, the Fritz’s”: Patti Fritz and lesbian niece Liz on no vote
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It’s become quite popular for opponents of the freedom to marry to introduce their fear of the B-word into the discussion, while in some progressive circles, discussing opponents’ perceived bigotry overshadowed any celebration of this week’s tremendous victory in the bipartisan vote to legalize same-sex marriage. Continue Reading
Winona County couple believe freedom to marry essential for fair and strong rural communities
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Anne Morse and Jon Nicholson of Dakota, Winona County, Minnesota, who have been married since Trix was a pup, saw their own son marry last year. They can’t entertain denying the happiness that they and their child have found in marriage to any other committed couple. Continue Reading
Mindful of his own story, Detroit Lakes area widower speaks out for the freedom to marry
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Among the benefits of the freedom to marry, the ability to see a loved one though sickness and health, until death do you part–as wedding vows put it–is one of the more emotionally difficult Continue Reading
Finding community: Morris student Taylor Barker sees freedom to marry as match for rural values
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Pausing over breakfast at Don’s Cafe in Morris, 20-year-old University of Minnesota student Taylor Barker shares his passion for the spirit of rural community that the moderate independent student discovered while attending the liberal arts college in Stevens County. Continue Reading
M4M’s legislator of the day, Joe Radinovich announces yes vote on freedom to marry
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Another Greater Minnesota Democrat in the House has announced his decision to vote “Yes” on Karen Clark’s bill to legalize the freedom to marry. Continue Reading
Open veins of Big Stone County, Minnesota; or, the idea of order in Ortonville
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In a recent radio interview broadcast by KDIO, Ortonville mayor Steve Berkner inveighed against “intimidation tactics” that had supposedly by used by “special interest” opponents of the Strata Mining Corporation’s plan to open a granite quarry in a cow pasture that contains some of Big Stone County’s namesake granite outcroppings. Continue Reading