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In the year 2022, eighth grade test scores in civics and U.S. history hit record lows. The decline didn't start with pandemic school closings. But they made it worse and revealed its extent. Less than half of adults can name the three branches of the U.S. government. Another 25% can't name even one. And just over one-third of Americans can pass the U.S. citizenship test. These sad facts are a reminder that the future success of our nation is far from guaranteed. We must acknowledge the imperfections of our current system and work to reform...
On December 8, 2023, U.S. Senator Tina Smith and U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (both D-MN) slammed the United States Postal Service's (USPS) responses to their recent letters as unacceptable. The letters asked the Postmaster General to take immediate steps to address the pressing concerns of Minnesotans. After hearing from Bemidji-area constituents and postal workers, Senators Smith and Klobuchar pressed the Postmaster General about agreements made with Amazon that have overwhelmed the...
The Belgrade city council met in regular session on Monday, December 18 and buttoned up a few items as local governments prepare for the election year that is upon us in 2024. Beginning on January 1, 2022, the cities of Belgrade and Brooten have banded together in a joint powers agreement that operates the local police department. Prior to that and going back to (about?) 2008, the city of Brooten contracted with the Belgrade police department for police services. The new joint powers board and...
Publisher's statement on the Post Office: The Post Office system is currently breaking my back. Delivery issues with the Bonanza Valley Voice newspaper have gotten out of control. Example: each week, a handful of newspapers that I paid to mail to subscribers are sent back to me with correct addresses, and I have to pay for each one that is returned (currently I pay 78 cents each time that happens). They are slapped with USPS labels saying that they have wrong addresses. Yes, in some cases, the...
