Back Pages

Can alternative energy save lives? Stanford University prof Mark Jacobson says yes — except in one case: ethanol. His research, recently presented at the University of Minnesota, suggests that electric and hydrogen-fuel cell vehicles powered by wind energy will eliminate 10,000 to 20,000 air pollution deaths in the U.S. every year and that “ethanol vehicles [...]

Sunshine Week, as we noted yesterday, is an annual event led by the American Society of Newspaper Editors and conceived to promote knowledge and use of open-records laws. Several newspaper editorials from across the state have weighed in and made the call for more openness and transparency at all levels of government. While all call [...]

The 2008 legislative session kicked off this week and was followed by the governor’s State of the State address, so today’s Back Pages examines the editorial response to both.
On Tuesday, the Democratic-controlled Legislature began its 2008 session, which must end by May 19, with the introduction of a transportation bill funded in part by an [...]

Record turnout was the big story the morning after Minnesota’s Super Tuesday caucus. For many, it was a sign of a robust and healthy democracy in action, while long lines and cramped classrooms prompted others to question the capacity of the caucus system. The difference in opinion when it comes to hashing it out with [...]

For the second presidential election in a row, the Duluth News Tribune has convinced major candidates from both parties to make their case directly to the readers in the form of front page columns. On Monday, Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton took their standard positions in arguing change against experience, while today’s edition featured Sen. [...]

Very few newspapers have endorsed one candidate or another before tomorrow’s caucus. Many have opted to encourage participation rather than a particular candidate. Of the few that have made an endorsement, none have been as clear and direct as The Minnesota Daily. The student-run paper of the University of Minnesota gave a tepid nod to [...]

President Bush reached a deal with House leaders last week on a $150 billion economic stimulus package. The plan relies on tax rebates and temporary tax breaks for businesses to deliver a boost to the nation’s slumping economy. In the editorial pages of Minnesota’s newspapers, the reactions were tepid at best. There is consensus that [...]