Opinion
Sorted by date Results 26 - 50 of 945
Notes from the small pond: Friends
Some friends are lifelong friends and others are seasonal. I once got an emotional email from a friend of 8 years calling me out for not being more friendly — I hadn’t been paying enough...
Forestry land ownership change could benefit all
In 2018 I retired as the forest manager for the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa after a 37-year career. I'm also an alumnus of the University of Minnesota, College of Forestry. I'm writing...
Our view: Thumbs up, down
THUMBS UP to Cloquet public schools and Members Cooperative Credit Union for working toward an agreement on naming rights in return for getting $4.25 million in athletic facilities upgrades across the finish line. MCCU has sent a letter of intent to...
Tales of another scary landing
As a youngster growing up in Superior and flying aircraft with my dad, I remember him saying, "If you want to wreck your airplane, put it on skis!" He should know. I watched him and his World War II... Full story
Nuclear should be part of energy planning
"Drill, baby, drill” is a fun slogan for those of us who can’t imagine a world without gasoline, and the protests over the Line 3 project cutting through Carlton County show that plenty of people...
Can small-scale farming save rural America?
The snow began just outside of Madison, Wisconsin. We had been driving north for days, watching the landscape change from green to brown until the world looked like an old black and white photo. And t...
Guest column: Forestry center is a key community asset
It has recently come to my attention that the University of Minnesota Board of Regents will meet to discuss transferring Cloquet Forestry Center land to the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa. I am writing to you as a university alumni and a... Full story
Running for office brings insight
It’s good to be back. Running for office was an interesting experience, but one of the most fascinating things I learned was how little most voters think about our lawmakers and how our legislature... Full story
Incorporate forgiveness into your daily life
"You have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, 'You shall not murder;' and 'whoever murders shall be liable to judgment.' But I say to you that if you are angry with a brother or sister,... Full story
Letters: The unbearable madness of taxes
My family moved to Cloquet 17 years ago. In that time, our property taxes have more than doubled, with an increase of 129 percent. This is before the pending new firehall gets added onto the bill. The valuation of our home has increased 98 percent, w...
Letters: Thomson meeting time change smells funny
It has come to my attention that the Thomson Township board of supervisors recently changed the time of regular board meetings from its long-established 6:30 p.m. to a much earlier 5 p.m. This will make it very difficult for many working folks to...
Letters: What is enough money for the rich?
A recent television news report of Exxon Oil’s annual profit for 2022 was $55.7 billion. Wow! If I recall from college accounting classes, business profit is what remains of revenue after all business expenses have been paid. In other words, profit...
Farming group marks 30 years
Who grows our food? Where is it grown? How is it grown? How long will production last? Folks with ready answers to these questions probably know a member of the Lake Superior Sustainable Farming...
My run-ins with Kevin McHale
Cloquet and Hibbing, both in northern Minnesota, have had spirited sports encounters over the years, with the Lumberjacks and Bluejackets enjoying memorable and classic confrontations in football,...
Letters: Hey, publisher Pete, come back
Congratulations on running a determined and clean campaign for the District 11A Minnesota House position, Pete Radosevich. After you’re done licking your wounds from the unfortunate election defeat, please get back to writing your “Harry’s...
Letters: Veterans deserve state action
I had worked with former state representative Mike Sundin on a veterans identification bill. The federal government signed a veterans identification bill into law in 2015. HF 720 would bring Minnesota law into compliance with federal law. I would...
Letters: Adults need to lead school districts
As a former teacher and coach in the Carlton school district, I have watched the demise of both the Wrenshall and Carlton schools. There is plenty of blame to go around. School boards, administration and parents all share a piece of this very sad...
Letters: Thank a school board member
February is Minnesota School Board Recognition Month. It’s a great time to recognize our elected community members, who selflessly give their time and energy in support of high-quality public schooling for our youth. School board members in...
Guest view: Carbon-free bill needs some work
Jenny Glumack, manager of legislative affairs for the Minnesota Rural Electric Association, wrote this piece on behalf of its member cooperatives. On Jan. 5, the Minnesota Legislature proposed a bill to transition all electricity sold in the state...
From the editor: Celebrating Dad's good life
It snowed the morning my dad died in Indiana earlier this month, big white flakes that weren't in the forecast, as if Mother Nature wanted to honor my Minnesota-born-and -raised father one last time.... Full story
Guest column: Creative carving can be had
Do you get bored on the cold wintery days and wonder what to do to keep occupied? Maybe you should look at woodcarving as a hobby. You don’t need any special artistic ability to be a woodcarver. There is no age limit. It can be a lifetime hobby....
Our view: When it comes to news, bring it
It’s been just more than four years since this little experiment called the Pine Knot News began. By this time next week, members of the staff here, and contributors, will be coming home with more hardware from the Minnesota Newspaper Association... Full story
Letters: Bravo to dog tale and rescuers
Thank you to the Pine Knot News for publishing the feel-good story about the wandering dog that was noticed, caught and placed in a safe home. (Jan. 6 issue.) Also a big thank-you goes out to Jodi Carlson, Jen Cadigan, the owner and staff of Trapper... Full story
Letters: Snow angels are all around
I want to thank the “snow angels” that appeared in the last few weeks. Before the snow stopped falling during the “blue blizzard,” social media was filled with posts asking for help and others offering assistance. Cloquet residents asked for... Full story
Marciniak leads with laughs
For over 60 years, he has made me and many other Carlton County residents laugh. His name is Tom Marciniak, although "Maynard" has been his informal handle since childhood. All Scanlon kids had... Full story