COLUMNISTS

Local view: Nukes not safe at any speed

Boosters of nuclear power often claim reactors “operate safely.” It’s easy to prove this false. Every government agency that regulates radiation exposure agrees that no matter how small, there is no safe dose. This “linear no threshold” standard declares that any and all radiation poses some risk of causing cancer.

By John LaForge , March 19, 2010

Finally, spooky warmth is gone

High today, 36. Low tonight, 20. Thank goodness. Back to normal.

March 19, 2010

Dave LeGarde: Hermantown, East shine at state tourney

A retelling of recent state hockey tournament action in case you missed it.

March 18, 2010

To learn more about RCV ...

To learn more about ranked-choice voting and how it works, and to read the list of organizations and leaders endorsing it, go to:

March 18, 2010

Local view: The time has come for ranked-choice voting

Advocates of an interesting new way to hold an election might as well use the lingo of the film industry, because the 2009 Best Picture award was chosen by 5,777 Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences members who ranked their choices from 1 to 10. Duluth’s Ranked-Choice Voting Steering Committee welcomed the academy’s new procedure. It added weight to a growing recognition of ranked-choice voting — or RCV, sometimes also known as instant-runoff voting, or IRV — as a more fair and efficient way of conducting elections.

By Donn Larson , March 18, 2010

Local view: Duluth must show Google its value

Duluth needs to be ready to define, defend and continue to develop the commitments for subscribers, as well as demonstrate that viable, value-added factors exist in our community.

By Bradley N. Clifford , March 17, 2010

Souhan: Twins need trade to fill Nathan’s role

A contender without a closer is like a yacht without a life buoy. The Twins have spent too much on their roster to entrust the ninth inning to a committee or a crapshoot.

By Jim Souhan , March 16, 2010

The Faces & Names behind Duluth’s New York connections

NEW YORK — I had just finished interviewing jazz great McCoy Tyner for an upcoming public radio show Wednesday when I decided to take a side trip from the Village to Midtown.

March 14, 2010

Google Duluth, and do it quickly

Ironic, isn’t it? All these years, we’ve been searching Google.

March 12, 2010

Virgil Swing: Don’t outlaw billboards until Favre says ‘yes’

Minnesota passed a state law against texting while driving in 2008, but has not yet acted on distractions caused by billboards that blink new messages every few seconds.

March 11, 2010

The Old Scout: When the solution is worse than the problem

The snow is melting in the woods of North Carolina and the kudzu is greening up. This ravenous pea-like vine was introduced to prevent soil erosion and now it is devouring the South, which goes to show you that some solutions are worse than the problem. Likewise, the judge in Yolo County, Calif., near Sacramento, who sentenced a man to seven years in prison for stealing a $3.99 bag of shredded cheese. Under California’s unique three-strikes sentencing scheme, additional crimes become felonies even if they are minor misdemeanors. It costs more than $50,000 a year to imprison a man, so this would appear to be no bargain for taxpayers. Cheaper to ship the crook to Alaska and give him pocket money and not let him come back. That’s how Australia was settled. The prime example of Solutions Worse Than Problems is the summer vacation trip, and now is the time to seriously reconsider your plans.

By Garrison Keillor , March 11, 2010

Mining industry's view: Benefits are enormous, risks addressed

Fortunately, we have a tremendous opportunity to create thousands of new jobs in the next generation of mining: Minnesota’s non-ferrous industry. The first project, PolyMet Mining, is ready to go, and the benefits are great.

By Frank Ongaro , March 10, 2010

Geologist's view: EPA’s evaluation shows legislative action needed first

Mining companies that wish to operate in Northeastern Minnesota need to demonstrate they are interested in more than just extracting minerals at the lowest possible cost and then getting out of town.

By John C. Green , March 10, 2010

Local view: New type of nuclear reactor overcomes past objections

In my reading, I have learned of a different and more efficient type of nuclear reactor: the Integral Fast Reactor, or IFR, and it has me rethinking my objections to nuclear power.

By Thomas V. Koehler , March 09, 2010

Ramp up savings during lean times

I think we can all agree on one thing: Saving is good. The big dilemma is how to get people to put money away for emergencies, retirement or that next tropical vacation.

By Kara McGuire , March 08, 2010