This has been the worst winter in recent memory for driving in Minnesota. The bad roads are not limited to one city or county. Twin Cities intersections are every bit as hazardous as some our least favorite ones in Brainerd. A season-long combination of ice, slush and cold weather have combined to r...

In many respects it’s amazing Mark Dayton will be the first governor to attend the Brainerd Jaycees $150,000 Fishing Extravaganza when he steps out on the ice Saturday morning. How could astute politicians pass up the chance to press the flesh— or at least the frozen mittens —of up to 10,000 h...

The Brainerd School District, in recent years, has received its share of criticism as it has negotiated its way through the minefield of shaky state funding, protracted employee negotiations and economic uncertainty....

Two senseless tragedies. Two Wednesday memorial services. Central Lakes College’s memorial service for Dominique Corder and the memorial service for  the victims of Saturday’s shootings in Tucson were distinct events but the voices that were heard evoked similar emotions....

In better days a 1 percent pay hike for city employees would have raised complaints against the Brainerd City Council for being tightfisted. Those days aren’t here now and they aren’t likely to return soon. ...

In a world of carefully couched language, Bert Blyleven has always been a breath of fresh air. Until this week, the former Twins pitcher and current television announcer had been openly annoyed at his failure to qualify for the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame. At one point he asked baseball write...

While certain restrictions on businesses may always be needed it's commendable when a city recognizes that it can often best help small businesses by getting out of the way. The goal of making it easier for Brainerd businesses on Washington Street to operate seems to be the intent of proposed zoning...

News of the proposed recreational trail that would circle Gull Lake sounded great to the bikers, walkers and runners we know in this area but an important point must be noted. The proposed 25.4 mile trail would be on existing right of way, including road shoulders.That means given the narrow width o...

Property values are declining in Brainerd. And while that may be bad news if a person is trying to sell property it's good news for many of the city's taxpayers. An important point to remember in light of the Brainerd City Council's Dec. 13 decision to increase the tax rate is that amount of money p...

The eye-catching videos of snow cascading from the roof into the end zone of Mall of America Field at the Metrodome were great visuals, but they didn’t change any of arguments in the debate about public funding for a new Vikings stadium....