Recent content from Editorial Board
From the Editorial Board: Thankful, mindful, hopeful, realistic
An annual collection of Thanksgiving thoughts from the Minnesota Star Tribune's opinion staff.
Welcome back to Minnesota and reality, Governor
Now that Gov. Tim Walz's vice presidential bid has ended, there's important work to do at home. Reinvigorating that "One Minnesota" campaign is a must.
From the Editorial Board: A divided Minnesota shouldn't stall state lawmakers
Unmet issues require bipartisan solutions.
From the Editorial Board: Minnesota voters sought balance in 2024
The state's U.S. House delegation remains evenly split between Republicans and Democrats. Republicans' strong showing in Minnesota House races puts DFL state government trifecta in peril.
From the Editorial Board: Trump wins. Unity still matters.
The president-elect and Americans at large can share the pursuit of greatness as long as they understand that grievance alone is not governance.
From the Editorial Board: It's (finally!) Election Day. Make your voice heard.
Minnesota's robust systems should inspire confidence in the process.
From the Editorial Board: Rally rhetoric reflects Trump's divisiveness
Disgraceful comments came from supporters and the candidate himself.
Election 2024 analysis from the Editorial Board: Minnesota's U.S. Senate race deserved a serious challenger
Amy Klobuchar faces an unconventional candidate in Royce White, who brings dubious views and statements to the race.
Election 2024 analysis from the Editorial Board: What 3rd District voters need from their representative in D.C.
The three-term incumbent is stepping down, and there's a closely watched race underway.
Election 2024 analysis from the Editorial Board: Drilling down on key 8th District issues
Incumbent Republican Rep. Pete Stauber faces a rematch with former DFL legislator Jennifer Schultz.
Election 2024 analysis from the Editorial Board: Key concerns for 2nd District voters
Incumbent Angie Craig faces challenger Joe Teirab in the competitive congressional district.
From the Editorial Board: A concise, genial, risk-averse, smooth-clumsy VP debate
Assessments from members of the Minnesota Star Tribune Editorial Board.
We heard what they did. Still waiting on what they'd do.
Minnesota Star Tribune Editorial Board members weigh in on the Trump-Harris debate.
From the Editorial Board: What Walz should address at the DNC
Good policy makes good politics. Specifics should be emphasized.
A Minnesota health care battle royale
Both consumers and regulators should pay attention to what HealthPartners is saying about UnitedHealth.
That's more like it: Hennepin board's new pay plan
Increases of 5% in each of the next two years are reasonable as a catch-up mechanism.
8% city tax increases? That's a lot.
Minneapolis and St. Paul are under pressure but should strive to reduce what their mayors have proposed.
A St. Louis River vision nears reality
In 2013, a cheerful state employee told us that cleaning up a century of pollution on this Great Lakes estuary was doable. He was right.
So much rides on the farm bill
Here's what's on the table in Washington this time around and how it touches on all of our lives.
Can flawed cops flee their records?
The Sonya Massey killing in Illinois raises the question again. Here's where things stand on the vetting of new hires in Minneapolis.
Continue, expand gunshot detection
Some question the ShotSpotter technology used in Minneapolis, but it's part of a comprehensive response to gun crime.
A reality check on the 'Tampon Tim' meme
A smart, compassionate new state law is spurring misinformed attacks on Minnesota's latest vice presidential contender: Gov. Tim Walz.
The 49-percenters of Hennepin County
County Board members reach the right decision on a big raise for themselves only after flirting with the wrong one.
It's W-A-L-Z, people
Minnesota governor's name too often gets an extra letter as he makes his national debut.
Walz makes the ticket. Good.
Though we've had occasional policy differences with him, we've long been impressed.
'Deepfakes' require a real federal response
Klobuchar's bipartisan bills can augment states' efforts.
It's better to help, not penalize, those living outdoors
A Supreme Court ruling gives governments more authority to punish the homeless. They should use discretion.
Thinking, fast and slow
Minnesota Supreme Court ruling asks a lot in the moment of people threatened by violence.
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A bright spot amidst vaccine disinformation
A recent Washington, D.C., study found that more parents are getting the hepatitis B vaccines for newborns. Lessons learned could potentially help boost immunization rates nationwide even as vaccine conspiracy theories undermine public confidence in the shots.
Abortion bans nearly encircle Minnesota
Women in three bordering states — including Iowa, with a six-week ban now in effect — must cross state lines to get the full standard of reproductive health care.
Why Donald Trump's election lies matter
Presidents need to call out real instances of election fraud, like the one in Venezuela.
Winner of the award for friction: Orono
The western suburb is outperforming in acrimony. Amid all of it, a state audit seems in order.
Kamala Harris is a shot of political adrenaline
She brings energy and positivity as the expected Democratic nominee. Keeping a grip on that is key as she faces tough but fair questions about her record and performance.
DEI efforts in Minnesota schools still matter
The plans are properly motivated, and some of the objections to them are simply distortions.
War upends U.S., Israeli politics
Sharp partisan divide evident at Netanyahu's congressional address.
A return to VP visibility for Minnesota
Democrats have neglected the Midwest in recent years, but Gov. Tim Walz is reportedly under vice presidential consideration. Without endorsing him prematurely, we value that attention.
Cheatle right to resign from Secret Service
Failure to protect Trump — and answer questions — spurs welcome bipartisan congressional consensus.
Isn't it better to have this gun rule?
The appeals courts so far disagree, but Minnesota's age limit on carrying handguns publicly is worth preserving.
A hopeful step for Parkinson's patients
An inspiring show of bipartisan support led to passage recently of the National Plan to End Parkinson's Act, putting a spotlight on this common, debilitating disease.
Biden bows out, putting country first
Voters can now focus on the significant policy differences between the two political parties, not just the presidential candidates' personal capacities.
Blackout license plates: Eyesore or sight for sore eyes?
The new plates that some Minnesotans love and others love to hate.
Republicans in 2024: Still a party of one
At the convention, lip service to unity, lies where they could be leveraged and little about the hardest problems we face.
A defense against flooding: Healthy soil
Minnesota farmers have information to draw on and a grant program passed in 2022 to help them.
Encouraging signs for vitality in downtown Minneapolis
Caitlin Clark's first WNBA game there was a marquee event, but just one example.
Justice not served in classified-documents case
Judge Aileen Cannon's dismissal allows Trump to avoid a trial.
A political shape-shifter for VP
JD Vance is former President Trump's pick for the 2024 ticket. The ambitious Ohio senator inspires deep concern, not confidence.
The campaign must, and will, go on
After an attempt on Donald Trump's life, all of us must be patient, wait for credible information, and remain willing to engage in spirited but constructive discourse about the nation's future.
Americans must unite against political violence
The shooting at a Donald Trump rally on Saturday was utterly unacceptable.
Again, City Council: Pass that police contract
It moves Minneapolis in the balanced direction it needs to go.
A disturbing repercussion of military service
New findings suggest a link between Navy SEALs' suicides and a distinctive type of brain damage caused by firing their own weapons.
A Minnesota helping hand on medical debt
A landmark state law provides significant new safeguards. It shouldn't be the last word, though.
Out with the remnants of racial covenants
Though they're long since unenforceable in housing, there's lingering damage and an effort to disavow them in deeds.
The erosion of homeowners insurance
Storms are getting worse. Property insurance companies can't keep up. Homeowners are paying the price.
Alleged Feeding Our Future trial bribe attacked one of the 'cornerstones' of democracy
Fast action by "Juror 52" and federal authorities protected the justice system and confidence in the government.
New fair safeguards will protect livestock, public health
Minnesota is commendably at the forefront of requiring H5N1 testing for lactating dairy cattle headed to fairs.
A supply surge for affordable housing
New options open or in the works, along with funding, will make a dent in the Twin Cities area's imbalance. Keep it up.
Law change grants older adoptees clarity
As of July 1, those adopted before 1982 in Minnesota can access their original birth certificate.
We still have a democracy to sustain
On July 4th — as on any day — look back for understanding and ahead with determination.
An eternal question: Who decides?
A look at last week's Supreme Court ruling abandoning the "Chevron deference," in historical and practical context.
Uneven immunity ruling from unbalanced court
Supreme Court hands the former president an eventual legal victory and an immediate political one.
U's interim leader has been a careful steward
Jeff Ettinger stepped up and did the job predictably well.
Dems must confront Biden debate debacle
Ultimately, the campaign is about the future of democracy, which the president has prioritized.
GOP, if you're 'for contraception,' show it
So far, it's one bill blocked, one merely hinted at and one that falls far short.
It's easier than you think to get scammed
Here's the scope of the problem and what you can do about it.
Step up at state, federal levels for flood relief
Minnesota has a long, honorable tradition of helping disaster-stricken communities.
Complications at U's Holocaust Center
The administration was right to intervene — albeit painfully — in the search for a director.
Two candidates, 21 questions
Things we'd like asked of Biden and Trump at Thursday's opening debate.
Expand downtown St. Paul safety program
Lowertown could benefit from an effort that's effective at addressing "the signs of social disorder that make us feel uneasy."
'Why would I ever sign up for that?'
We need good people in public service, but the toxic atmosphere turns them away. All of us can help fix this.
Yes, you need to wear a life jacket
Minnesota boating fatalities are off to a tragic start, and this year's wet weather has created high water and powerful currents.
Surgeon general right to urge social-media warning
To help kids, Congress should heed Vivek Murthy's call for a warning label.
Tighten state oversight to prevent fraud
State departments need to get the basics down, as Feeding Our Future and front-line worker audits show.
On eye medicine, the 'ayes' nearly had it
One legislator put a stop to legislation expanding optometrists' scope of practice. This is worth revisiting.
A step toward press freedom in schools
A new Minnesota law protects the work of student journalists in grades 6-12, but those at the college level need that, too.
Abortion access: Safer, but not safe
The U.S. Supreme Court rejects a dubious legal challenge to the use of mifepristone. But there will likely be other attempts to restrict access to it and other reproductive health care.
