opinion

WASHINGTON -- The Supreme Court frequently ponders arcane matters. But this week, however, in oral arguments concerning two cases, the justices' task will be to teach remedial reading to Congress and to Arizona. On Wednesday, the justices will consider this: Did Congress mean what...

THIEF RIVER FALLS -- Minnesota's current alcohol regulations are smart, balanced, and supported by many citizens, small businesses, and communities throughout the state. Changes in our proven system, such as adding Sunday alcohol sales, could have negative repercussions for small...

ST. PAUL -- Since long before the failed experiment that came to be known as Prohibition, commerce on Sunday in Minnesota was restricted. As our society grew up, we repealed these antiquated restrictions known as blue laws. Well, nearly all of the restrictions. The Land of 10,000...

One reason above all others should convince the Minnesota Legislature to allow Sunday liquor sales: The public wants it. Make that, the...

In his column on today's editorial page, Jerry Waletzko suggests that a strong and well-managed visitors' program can help keep prison inmates...

OK. I admit it. I went to jail today, again. I am guilty of wanting to visit a friend of mine incarcerated in the county lockup. My punishment was standing in line for 58 minutes. A couple of weeks ago, I stood in line for 55 minutes to talk to him over a scratchy video phone...

On Feb. 23, the Herald ran a story about the dismal rates among adults of chewing tobacco use (“N.D. ranks highly in smokeless tobacco use,” Page A1). As the story reported, North Dakota was ranked 49th out of 50 states and District of Columbia, with 7.6 percent of its adults...