Plenty of people were upset that a Canadian group changed the words to the country’s National Anthem before last night’s baseball All Star game. But there seems to be disagreement about why. Read more →
MPR News Reflections and observations on the news
Politics

In a speech that was emotional and inspired as any consoler-in-chief has given, Obama chided the nation for refusing to recognize the things ‘we know to be true’ and being unable to talk about our differences in a productive way — preferring instead to choose sides. Read more →

From the sound of things, writers Brad and Amy Herzog had a pretty good thing going for nearly two decades, traveling the country and writing a blog as spokespeople for the RV Industry Association. Then they wrote a book critical of Donald Trump. Read more →

Our correspondent in the western part of the state caused a mini-uproar in his community a few weeks ago when he suggested after Gov. Mark Dayton ordered flags at half staff in memory of those slaughtered in the Pulse nightclub attack that maybe we’ve taken this half-staff thing too far. Read more →
From now on, if a candidate doesn’t show up for a political debate, the debate will go on without him/her. Read more →

Perhaps it figures that when a Republican and Democrat finally get together on bipartisan legislation in Congress, it intends to enrich fat cats and stiff people trying to make a living.
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If you ever wanted to assess the difference between DFL senators Amy Klobuchar and Al Franken, this week’s vote to allow authorities to access phone logs, email records, cell-site data used to pinpoint locations, and your browser’s history without a warrant is a good place to start.
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Hey, thanks a lot, Urban Bean; You’re making life miserable for a coffee shop in Florida. Read more →
Rep. Bob Gannon, R-Slinger, is proposing legislation that would triple the damages for any shootings that occur at a business where guns are banned. Read more →

From the U.S. Capitol to a courtroom in Carver County, authorities are dead set against letting you see what goes on inside. Read more →

Sure, you’re one of only 435 members of the U.S. House of Representatives, but when your mother calls and tells you to do something, you do it. Read more →

In Fitchburg, Wis., Mayor Steve Arnold has proposed that his city ‘privatize’ cul-de-sacs and let the people who live on them pay for their upkeep, Wisconsin State Journal says. Read more →
That’s gotta hurt, eh, Woodbury? The city was shut out of the top 10 for the honor of All-America City for 2016, after becoming a finalist by finishing in the top 20.
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The idea that we all have to trudge to a particular spot on the planet to cast a vote in an election is a relic of yesteryear and turnout numbers suggest it’s an ineffective one. Read more →
Is it still possible to come up with a regional and professional transportation policy in the Twin Cities?
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