Opinion

Enrolling Through MNsure offers great savings on 2024 health insurance plans

Minnesotans who receive tax credits through MNsure will spend 5% less on health insurance premiums next year, on average Starting November 1, Minnesotans who need health insurance can sign up for 2024 coverage through MNsure, Minnesota’s official health insurance marketplace, where they can easily find, choose and purchase health insurance. MNsure’s open enrollment period begins November 1, 2023, and will run through January 15, 2024.

Read MoreEnrolling Through MNsure offers great savings on 2024 health insurance plans

Our Clean Energy Economy

Castle Danger Brewery of Two Harbors graciously hosted the well-attended MPR Rural Voice forum on Affordable Housing in Minnesota, expertly moderated by Kerri Miller. Audience participation was great, and a number of problems and solutions related to our affordable housing crisis were discussed. However, one important element was not addressed; affordability and accessibility of homes also depends on their annual energy costs.

Read MoreOur Clean Energy Economy

Update for Creechville housing and Tofte housing projects

It looks like it will be next spring before shovels will be in the ground for the 51 apartments being built by Switchback Village, LLC in Grand Marais. Bids were opened and tabled for further review on July 28 for Phase 1 of the project located on 5th Avenue West in Creechville on about 12 acres of land sold to the developers for $1 by the City of Grand Marais.

Read MoreUpdate for Creechville housing and Tofte housing projects

REASON REASON

Marching Band I have, from time to time, harbored dreams of being a rock star. A handful of my best mates (I’m British in this fantasy) making music together.

Read MoreREASON REASON

Correction:

I shudder to think that I used the word “shudder” instead of shutter in the story about the Grand Marais Coast Guard station last week. The News-Herald regrets the error.

Read MoreCorrection:

Cook County MIS announces removal of two communication towers

In 2001 Cook County adopted a Tower Ordinance to govern the growing proliferation of communication towers across the County. Due to the rural nature of the county and the proximity to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, there was a desire and need to limit visual impacts of towers within the County. Over the past 22 years the ordinance has been used multiple times, from the development of the statewide ARMER radio system to the expansion of cellular coverage. The ordinance forces potential tenants to co-locate on existing towers before developing new sites.

Read MoreCook County MIS announces removal of two communication towers

Moving on

Is it Hoarding? I’m embarrassed to admit that I have over 32,000 photos in my computer, and I’m not even a professional photographer. Could this be a sign of hoarding? I love to sit at my desktop and watch photos scroll through from the past twenty-plus years.

Read MoreMoving on

Rent A Goat

Over the years, I have rented apartments, cars, rug doctor carpet cleaners, and even power tools, but never have I ever RENTED A GOAT. Now I have 24. Thank goodness the cost is by the herd, not headcount. These critters are amazing— all shapes, sizes and colors. There is a small black and brown goat that resembles a Bernese Mountain Dog, so I call her Brynn. These goats moved in on Monday and, by Tuesday morning, had trampled a corner of the fence and were in the Hosta bed and driveway. I didn’t panic but tried to untangle them myself, unsuccessfully. The goat herder came immediately to the rescue and quickly got everyone back to work.

Read MoreRent A Goat