One has to wonder if all of the hype from gold buyers and sellers was just another Ponzi scheme, or another housing bubble in the making.

What was set up in the wake of the Great Depression to assist an aging population is about to run out of money. According to an Associated Press story published yesterday, the Social Security Trust Fund will run dry in 2033. That's 21 years from now.

Is college worth the expense? USA TODAY has reported that half of graduating college students are either unable to find a job, or they take a job that is not in their field of training.

The old song goes "I Love a Parade," and Brainerd and Baxter area residents as well as our summertime visitors have certainly chimed in with their assent each Fourth of July.

Minnesota National Guardsmen returned to the Brainerd National Guard Armory to waiting family and friends last Sunday. They were the first Red Bulls to return from deployment in the Middle East.

In case you were busy last Friday and Saturday enjoying our beautiful weekend - well at least Saturday was one of those spring days that everyone remembers when days like Sunday show up, you missed a great 2012 Brainerd Lakes Marketplace.

As the world's oil prices continue to decline, gasoline prices continue to rise. What's going on? According to CNN Money, light crude was trading at $102.27 per barrel on Monday, which is down 4.06 percent over the last 30 days.

Minnesotans love the Vikings. That's a fact. However, the Vikings franchise is owned by a billionaire from New Jersey - one Zygmunt "Zygi" Wilf. Wilf's net worth is between $310 million, as reported by Sports Illustrated, and $1.

Brainerd Dispatch readers now have another method of reading their daily newspaper - on their iPad. Last week, parent company Morris Communications, released the new iPad app, which is free to all Apple iPad owners.

A group that gives a hand up needs a hand. Brainerd Lakes Area Habitat for Humanity needs help in its effort to help low income working families with housing. Currently, there are five families that are approved for a Habitat home.