MATTERS AT HAND
MATTERS AT HAND: Duty calls every American on Memorial Day 
On Monday I’ll be giving another Memorial Day speech. Actually, I’ll be giving the same speech three times, in cemeteries at Gilby, N.D., Honeyford, N.D., and Ness Lutheran Church near Mekinock, N.D. Veterans from these communities are members of the Gilby American Legion post.
By Mike Jacobs , May 26, 2013
MATTERS AT HAND:: An ugly session in N.D., but we’re grateful
Regarding the North Dakota Legislature’s 2013 session, blessedly adjourned in the wee hours of the weekend: Remember that it’s good to be grateful.
By Mike Jacobs , May 05, 2013
MATTERS AT HAND: Bill Guy stands out among N.D. political figures
North Dakota produced an abundance of colorful political figures during the 20th century, but Bill Guy was not one of these.
By Mike Jacobs , April 28, 2013
MATTERS AT HAND: How the N.D. legislature is like a snake in the grass
Watching the legislature in its waning days is a little like watching a snake moving through the grass. The creature lurches from side to side, but it still makes forward progress.
By Mike Jacobs , April 14, 2013
MATTERS AT HAND: N.D. university system needs rigor
North Dakota’s person-of-the-winter was in Grand Forks on Thursday. Hamid Shirvani was the keynote speaker at the Economic Development Commission’s annual meeting. Shirvani is chancellor of the North Dakota University System.
By Mike Jacobs , April 07, 2013
MATTERS AT HAND: Lack of legislative harness gives zealots free rein
Watching the 2013 edition of the North Dakota Legislature makes a body pine for the days when Earl Strinden was in charge.
By Mike Jacobs , March 24, 2013
MATTERS AT HAND: Modest proposals for a stronger North Dakota higher ed board
In an earlier controversy, the board bowed to pressure from the president of North Dakota State University and fired its own chancellor. In this instance, the board seems intent on deferring to a strong chancellor, even it means breaking the law. What’s needed is a stronger board.
By Mike Jacobs , March 09, 2013
MATTERS AT HAND: Reconsidering presidential impact on N.D.
In Washington, D.C., last week, I popped into the National Portrait Gallery, one my favorite indoor places. I was there to apologize to James Monroe. I left Monroe off my Top 10 list of U.S. presidents who’ve had an impact on North Dakota. I stopped by the portrait of Chester Allen Arthur, too.
By Mike Jacobs , March 02, 2013
MATTERS AT HAND: The higher ed debate we should be having
So far no one has confronted the question at the heart of the issue. So let’s do it here. Is the chancellor system a failure?
By Mike Jacobs , February 24, 2013
MATTERS AT HAND: The presidents in N.D. history: A Top 10 list
It’s not difficult to name the U.S. presidents whose policies have had the most direct impact on North Dakota. They are Thomas Jefferson and Abraham Lincoln. A handful of others had major influence, too — but it’s harder to round out the Top 10.
By Mike Jacobs , February 17, 2013
MATTERS AT HAND: Media had role in ‘kerfuffle’ about higher ed
Here’s a riddle for you: What’s the difference between a coyote and a chancellor? The answer? Not so much. They both behave differently when there’s media close by.
By Mike Jacobs , February 10, 2013
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.
By Mike Jacobs , February 02, 2013
MATTERS AT HAND: Young Johan visits the Legislature
North Dakota remains a small state, with a closely woven political fabric.
By Mike Jacobs , January 12, 2013
MATTERS AT HAND: Downtown looks up as New Year dawns
After last week’s pessimistic look at the New Year, a faithful reader send a terse message. “Look on the bright side,” the reader said, and that’s what I’ve resolved to do.
By Mike Jacobs , January 06, 2013
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.
By Mike Jacobs , December 30, 2012
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