Opinion - The Timberjay

America’s birthday

Today is America’s 249th birthday, and that is cause enough for the usual celebrations and flag-waving with family and friends. But given the current state of our nation, we would hope readers … more

7/2/25

A reminder of our history of making good, necessary trouble

There is trouble in the land, and this week’s celebrations of the 4th of July stir layers of mixed feelings for many Americans, those who yearn to be Americans, and those around the world who … more

Betty Firth | 7/2/25

Plenty of time to find the answers on copper-nickel mine

I can’t agree with Carla Arneson’s letter to the editor. Her claims are all hypothetical in nature. No actual facts based on this potential mine. If she wants, she can Google Dr. Rens … more

6/27/25

An open letter to Rep. Pete Stauber

Rep. Stauber…what will your response be to the assassination of Melissa Hortman and her husband and the shooting of Senator Hoffman and his wife on July 14? We need more than your prayers. I … more

6/26/25

Letter writer misses the mark

Dan Hernesmaa’s letter in the June 13 edition of the Timberjay was long on Twin Metals talking points but short on facts, science, and law. Antofagasta’s Twin Metals did not lose lawful … more

6/26/25

Comparing Trump’s promises with the reality

As July 4 approaches and the celebration of the people and our country begins, one evaluates what was promised with pre-election rhetoric, comparing such with what’s happened recently. • … more

6/26/25

The people ARE waking up

The letter writer from Florida in the June 13 issue makes complete Trumpian sense, meaning no sense at all, in attacking Barack Obama’s attempts at some much-needed diplomacy after the Bush … more

6/26/25

Shootings appear based on religion, not ideology

By now, everyone knows the basics of what happened in the early morning last Saturday. I’ll skip trying to write yet another narrative. Suffice it to say, too many good people were injured and … more

6/26/25

An approach-avoidance relationship with technology

I recall, and not so fondly, my early days at the University of Kansas and my very first, and only, computer science class. We had a large computing center on campus, a standalone building, filled … more

David Colburn | 6/26/25

People making a difference

It’s said that good things come to those who wait. That may be, but even better things come to those who persevere. That’s certainly the case with two recent success stories in our area, … more

6/26/25

Big money is weakening our democracy

Without some revision of the Federal Election Committee (FEC) oversight of political donations, our democracy could be on the ropes. It took only six wealthy individuals to donate $800 million … more

6/18/25

Science versus mining industry hype

In response to Mr. Hernesma’s letter in last week’s Timberjay, I have been researching the copper-nickel sulfide mining issue for twenty years. The following was sent to me by an eminent … more

6/18/25

Political violence

Minnesotans were left in shock this past Saturday morning as they received news of the assassination of Rep. Melissa Hortman, the DFL’s top leader in the Minnesota House, and the attempted … more

6/18/25

Keeping the keel down through troubling times

Have you ever awakened with a touch of the blues, even on a morning with clear blue skies and air cleaner than you’ve seen all week? Has the smoke from forest fires burning out of control … more

Kathleen McQuillan | 6/18/25

This session, we had the Iron Range’s back

From Hoyt Lakes and Tower to Babbitt and Ely, Iron Rangers know what it means to stand together when times get tough. This year at the Minnesota Legislature, I made sure that spirit was reflected in … more

Grant Hauschild | 6/18/25

Are those on the left finally waking up?

First of all, I thank God that President Carter lived long enough to pass the “worst president in modern times” award to Obama so he can erase that logo from his Presidential … more

6/12/25

A better future for our iron ore

Mesabi Metallics will power up a new mine and taconite production plant over at Nashwauk in February of 2026. This modern, state-of-the-art facility will begin by producing premium “Direct … more

6/12/25

Beware of Hauschild’s giveaway to big data

Grant Hauschild’s recent letter to the Timberjay defending his big data center taxpayer giveaway caught my eye. In part, that is because I have a friend in the state of Virginia who told … more

6/12/25

Twin Metals would produce no acid drainage

After reading David A. Lien’s recent letter to the editor, I feel the need to respond. Most of the letter deals with the possibility of a mine causing vast amounts of sulfuric acid in the Rainy … more

6/12/25

Trump is wrong about Canada

President Trump said, “We get nothing from Canada.” Wrong, very wrong. Canada is responsible for 61 percent of all oil imported into the United States. It sold us 4.3 million … more

6/12/25

Weakening America

For President Donald Trump, Saturday’s big military parade is clearly akin to keeping up with the Joneses. He’s seen the military parades usually associated with the world’s … more

6/12/25

Summer projects blooming in my yard

It’s a quiet Saturday night in Soudan, except for the car horn that keeps sounding off somewhere across town by the Soudan Store. It’s one of those summery June evenings when the sky is … more

Scarlet Stone | 6/12/25

Our smoky future

Here we go again? That’s the very real concern as the area experienced several days with unhealthy levels of wildfire smoke this past week. Already this year, the North Country has experienced … more

6/5/25

It’s time to unmask ourselves and get real

You know that kid who was always looking out the window at school, daydreaming, startled by the teacher’s suggestion that perhaps they should be paying attention, as if it was an unexpected … more

Betty Firth | 6/5/25

Our health care

Should the so-called “One Big Beautiful Bill” passed by the U.S. House last week and supported by Eighth District congressman Pete Stauber ultimately become law, the quality health care … more

5/29/25