The Public Library Arts and Cultural Heritage Funding (ACHF) is in jeopardy of being cut by two-thirds. In 2008 the people of Minnesota voted for a very small increase in sales tax (0.375 percent) expressly to help pay to preserve wildlife, investments in parks and trails, protect waterways, and f...

  So you trust Obama, Hillary, Panetta, Holder, Franken, Klobuchar, Nolan, etc.? Do you have the same level of trust with the IRS? Do you now know the IRS has been targeting specific groups and giving favored treatment to another? You say it was because the groups attacked were because of tax d...

Greed Greed! Holy Ned! How can the Brainerd Dispatch raise everyone's yearly rate $40? Maybe the Dispatch is in cahoots with all the oil companies. The holidays and warm weather seem to bring out the greed in everyone.

Liberty and justice Last Thursday, I had the privilege of being in the gallery when the Minnesota House of Representatives passed a bill giving the freedom to marry to all of Minnesota's citizens.

I am a proud graduate of Brainerd High School (BHS). I am also a proud evangelical Christian. After graduating from BHS, I moved around to several major cities from St. Paul to Denver.

What does the word "diversity" mean to you? Could be as simple as "differences?" I have heard many times while growing up right here in the lakes area that we don't have diversity. I disagree.

Courageous action Thank you to our local Representatives who made the courageous decision to vote yes on the Freedom to Marry bill. We elect our officials both to represent and to lead.

But Dad, everyone is doing it "But Dad, everyone is doing it.

Thanks, Joe and John Thank you Representatives Ward and Radinovich! As a gay individual who grew up in the Brainerd lakes area, I know that your votes in favor of marriage equality were long-thought, and not easily made.

We have been told over and over, it will not affect our freedom of religion – if this was true, why would they put a provision in the bill to protect pastors? Why would they need to be protected? From who do they need to be protected? And what about me as a Sunday school teacher? Who will protect...