Articles

ALWAYS IN SEASON: Larks begin their return to the Red River Valley

Here’s one observation from a quick road trip across North Dakota this past week: The horned larks are coming. Lots of them.

• Horned lark
• Mike Jacobs

News analysis: The issues, interests behind the high ed crisis

Governing the state’s colleges and universities has bedeviled the state since the beginning, and there have been several crises. The current situation seems heading in that direction. Here’s a brief tutorial about the issues and the interests in play.

• N.D. lawmaker seeks chancellor's ouster, but high ed board backs him
• Chancellor buyout could cost more than $830,000
• Mike Jacobs

ALWAYS IN SEASON: Owls make news across the region, create birding thrills

Owls have been big news in the bird world this winter.

• Mike Jacobs
• Short eared owl

MATTERS AT HAND: Overreaching by chancellor sends North Dakota higher ed reeling again

Chancellor Hamid Shirvani has surely overreached by claiming an office for himself in a new building on the UND campus that was intended to house the system’s technology staff.

• Mike Jacobs

ALWAYS IN SEASON: Snow buntings own the winter roadsides in N.D.

If country roads had birds to represent them the way states and nations do, then surely the snow bunting would be among the birds to represent North Dakota’s roads.

• Mike Jacobs
• Snowbuntings in the snow and stubble.

MATTER AT HAND: For Heitkamp, is it a two-step or a ballet?

The state Legislature seems to be engaged in a kind of love fest, having traded efficiency for entertainment value, so the political spotlight shifts to the federal offices, where newly-elected U.S. Sen. Heidi Heitkamp is engaged in a delicate dance.

• Mike Jacobs

ALWAYS IN SEASON: Three chicken-like species make a birding hat trick

The other day, I had a hat trick, but not at the rink. It happened on the road. I was on my way to Bismarck for the opening of the Legislature, and I saw three species of chicken-like birds.

• Mike Jacobs
• Sharptail Grouse

MATTERS AT HAND: Young Johan visits the Legislature

North Dakota remains a small state, with a closely woven political fabric.

• Mike Jacobs

ALWAYS IN SEASON: This winter has brought exceptional variety of birds

This season has brought birds in unusual variety and abundance. Here’s a review of some noteworthy species.

• Mike Jacobs
• A white-breasted nuthatch

MATTERS AT HAND: Optimism in short supply this New Year

The beginning of another year is supposed to be an optimistic time, but optimism is hard to muster this New Year. The news of the last month has been unbearable sad and unbelievably frustrating. Nor do the portents bode well.

• Mike Jacobs

Columns

ALWAYS IN SEASON: Sapsuckers have big impact on ecosystems

The yellow-bellied sapsucker has probably had more influence on the natural world at our place west of Gilby, N.D., than any other bird species. The sapsucker is an unlikely candidate for such a role. It’s a generally inconspicuous bird that’s probably quite often overlooked.

• Mike Jacobs

MATTERS AT HAND: Expect more polls in U.S. Senate race

My response to pollsters is always the same. I ask who’s paying for the poll. Then I say I won’t take part – unless the answer is a media organization.

• Mike Jacobs

OUR OPINION: U.S. Senate could have a role at Spirit Lake

In the statement, the tribal government suggests that it inherited the problem, that it’s dealing with it effectively and that whistleblowers and a malevolent press have made things worse. This level of defensiveness undermines the effectiveness of the tribe’s statement.

• Our Opinion

OUR OPINION: Refreshing seriousness in Minnesota campaign

Candidates for the U.S. Senate in North Dakota are arguing about how many debates to hold. They’re not talking about issues. In Minnesota, meanwhile, candidates for the U.S. Senate have held one debate – and it showcased real differences between them. In other words, they talked about issues.

• Our Opinion

OUR OPINION: Bloomquist built and protected valley’s sugar industry

Once in a while, somebody comes along who is a true visionary. Al Bloomquist was such a somebody. Bloomquist imagined what the sugar beet business could be in the Red River Valley and he came up with a way to make the business work.

• Our Opinion

OUR OPINION: Of course the Mars mission is worth its cost

A rover has landed on Planet Mars, and it came from the United States. NASA’s stunning achievement stirs patriotic pride. It also whets scientific curiosity. And it should stimulate interest in science. These are all good thing for humankind, and they have important implications in our area.

• Our Opinion

MATTERS AT HAND: Montana, North Dakota share lively election cycle

Of North Dakota’s neighbors only Montana has as lively an election campaign as North Dakota does. Probably it’s livelier. Montana will elect a U.S. senator and a governor, same as North Dakota. In Minnesota, there is a Senate race, but not a gubernatorial race.

• Mike Jacobs

ALWAYS IN SEASON: Red-tailed hawks predominate in the valley

Of all the hawks, the red-tail is by far the most common here. That doesn’t mean that it’s the most likely to be seen, however. That would depend on where you’re looking. In Grand Forks, Cooper’s hawk is probably the most abundant raptor.

• Mike Jacobs

OUR OPINION: Deadlock on farm bill reflects stalemate in politics

Congress is cutting it close. Both houses have recessed without passing a farm bill. They won’t be back in session until Sept. 8. The current bill expires on Sept. 30. That leaves 22 calendar days to take action, but a calendar day is not a workday. Not in Congress.

• Our Opinion

OUR OPINION: Indian Health Service can’t escape child abuse scandal

The Indian Health Service has changed its mind. Dr. Michael Tilus won’t be reprimanded after all. That’s a good thing. It’s the right thing.

• Our Opinion