It was a close call, a 4 to 3 vote, but the Rochester Public Schools Board approved the hiring of another school resource officer — a cop — to begin…
It’s all the rage among local elected officials in cities from Dilworth to Rochester to Fairmont and points in between. A community center funded by imposing an up to 25-year…
During the pandemic Rochester Public School administrators implemented a whacky new grading system called “Grading for Learning.” No more grades based on traditional testing, homework or quizzes, no deadlines for…
Trash collection isn’t the sort of service that gets most folks worked up, unless there’s a problem. But the prospect of unexpectedly having twice as many trash haulers to choose…
There’s still time for the Olmsted County Board to pull back from the 5.9 percent tax levy increase commissioners plan to approve in Rochester tomorrow. But the odds appear to…
State and local taxes and spending MPR News: Minnesotans to avoid inflation-driven tax sting with huge bracket tweak Duluth News Tribune: Paid family and medical leave may have its chance…
Why does public education devour 40 percent of Minnesota’s state budget, and that figure is certain to climb even higher in the 2023 legislative session? American Experiment’s Catrin Wigfall recently…
State and local taxes and spending The Globe: Worthington City Council talks budget ahead of December certification deadline Alexandria Echo Press: Douglas County commissioners approve 2023 budget of nearly $64.6…
State and local taxes and spending Pine and Lakes Echo Journal: Nisswa taxpayers likely to see 12% hike in city taxes Rochester Post Bulletin: Letter: Tax increases in a time…
The last time we last checked in April, the Rochester City Council desperately wanted to spend $65 million on a regional recreational complex with no clear idea of why or…
How widespread has the opioid epidemic become? In an ominous sign of the times, Rochester Public Schools recently began stocking the anti-overdose medication Narcan. The medication quickly reverses the effects…
The closer Election Day comes, the more media attention than ever appears to be focused on local school board elections this year. Take Rochester, where American Experiment’s Bill Walsh revealed…
School board candidates used to be virtually invisible, an after thought for many voters filling out their ballot at the polls. But the increasing dissatisfaction of parents with their local…
State and local taxes and spending Pioneer Press: Study: Minnesota missing out on up to $46M in revenue by not taxing newly legal THC edibles Minn Post: State could be…
State and local taxes and spending Duluth News Tribune: Minnesota lawmakers back waiving taxes on student loan forgiveness West Central Tribune: Kandiyohi County 2023 tax levy set to increase, but…
Elected officials never know what to expect during the public comment period that kicks off many city council meetings. But it’s safe to say members of the Rochester City Council…
Labor market KAAL TV: 2021 data shows SE Minnesota had highest percentage of job vacancies in state KROC: SE Minnesota Sees Record Job Openings in 4th Quarter Pioneer Press: Real…
Labor market CBS News: Minnesota unemployment rate hits a record low of 1.8% in June Axios: Minnesota unemployment rate drops to historic low KIMT 3: Minnesota’s unemployment rate hit another…
State and local taxes and spending Rochester Post Bulletin: It was the largest proposed tax cut in Minnesota’s history. And it didn’t get done Bemidji Now: Coalition of greater Minnesota…
State and local taxes and spending The Center Square: Big problems, little time for Minnesota lawmakers cobbling budget MPR News: Scant time left for lawmakers as they grasp for session…
The pandemic may be behind us, but its ripple effects will be felt for years in public schools. Like most states, Minnesota’s public schools experienced a sizable loss of students…
State and local taxes and spending The Center Square: Minnesota lawmakers set to haggle over tax cuts Duluth News Tribune: Minnesota House passes property tax cuts, family tax rebates West…
State education officials frame the Minnesota Student Survey given to fifth, eighth, ninth and eleventh grade students every three years as a tool to identify trends and “gain insights into…
Labor market Worthington Globe: Minnesota needs commonsense workforce development Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal: Minnesota has more than twice as many job openings as job seekers Economic growth Owatonna People’s Press:…