MIKE JACOBS
ALWAYS IN SEASON: Local bird counters find record number of species 
This year’s round of Christmas bird counts produced both delight and disappointment — but more delight than disappointment.
The Grand Forks count took place Dec. 16 and produced 65 speci
By Mike Jacobs , December 30, 2012
MATTERS AT HAND: An elephant shows up in North Dakota’s press room
Big change is under way in the news business in North Dakota, including the Associated Press' loss of a longtime legislative reporter to a new media venture.
By Mike Jacobs , December 16, 2012
MATTERS AT HAND: Grand Forks farewell highlights Conrad’s personal attributes
Saturday’s event showed off the senator’s emphasis on planning, his compulsive attention to detail, his intuitive grasp of big issues, his toughness, his sense of humor and his improbable optimism.
By Mike Jacobs , December 09, 2012
MATTERS AT HAND: The economic implications of admission standards
Ralph Kingsbury, a former member of the North Dakota Board of Higher Education, likes to tell about the Walsh County farmer who reacted to news that the state university system might impose admission standards in this way: “I pay taxes and my son has a right to flunk out of the university.” That’s about to change.
By Mike Jacobs , December 02, 2012
ALWAYS IN SEASON: Collared doves conquer the continent
Probably no species has conquered North America more quickly than the Eurasian collared dove.
By Mike Jacobs , December 02, 2012
MATTERS AT HAND: No cliffs in state legislatures, but plenty of issues
Now that the election is well behind us, we can turn to the business end of politics, governing — or attempting to govern. No doubt this business is toughest in Washington, where a fiscal cliff lies just ahead. There are no cliffs in Bismarck or St. Paul, but the impending legislative sessions offer the potential of spectacle, nevertheless. Challenges loom in both state capitols.
By Mike Jacobs , November 25, 2012
ALWAYS IN SEASON: Early winter brings unusual bird sightings
Last week brought the expected and the not so likely in the bird world.
The first snowy owls of the season showed up, right on time. Most years, these birds are here by mid-November. So far, reports are encouraging, and it could be a good year for snowy owls.
By Mike Jacobs , November 18, 2012
MATTERS AT HAND: New Vision project draws ideas, creates anticipation
Like a lot of other people, I’m feeling a keen sense of anticipation about NV360. And there are a lot of people. Far more have taken part in NV360 than any other similar community involvement project has managed to attract here.
By Mike Jacobs , November 17, 2012
MATTERS AT HAND: Heitkamp defies the odds to win a Senate seat
The bottom line on the election for me? I won money and lost face.
By Mike Jacobs , November 11, 2012
MATTERS AT HAND: One scenario left would elect Heitkamp
A federal judge has lengthened North Dakota’s campaign season by a day. A state law pro-hibiting campaigning on Election Day is unconstitutional, Judge Daniel Hovland said.
By Mike Jacobs , November 04, 2012
ALWAYS IN SEASON: Pheasants and philosophy mix in hunting season
It’s pheasant season in North Dakota. The season is expected to be a good one for hunters. Last winter was mild, and pheasant survival was high.
By Mike Jacobs , November 04, 2012
ALWAYS IN SEASON: Comfort birds or ill omens? Robins play both roles
My partner says robins are “comfort birds,” but I’m here to tell a different story.
By Mike Jacobs , October 28, 2012
MATTERS AT HAND: A remarkable couple, the Franks left a big legacy in Grand Forks
Richard and Mary Margaret Frank are among the most remarkable people I have ever known — remarkable as individuals and remarkable as a couple. Richard Frank was born in 1900. He died in the early 1990s. Mary Margaret Frank was born in 1912. She died last week. Her obituary appeared in Friday’s Herald.
By Mike Jacobs , October 21, 2012
ALWAYS IN SEASON: Birds have an uncanny knack for turning up as anticipated
It’s uncanny how often a bird shows up soon after someone mentions it to me, and quite often when I simply think of the bird myself. Sometimes I think the birds are sending out brainwaves, subtly invading my consciousness.
By Mike Jacobs , October 21, 2012
MATTERS AT HAND: Somebody’s betting on a recount in U.S. Senate race
For me, the signs point to a very close contest. It could actually end in a recount.
By Mike Jacobs , October 14, 2012
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