Year: 2022

EXCERPT: “Leaders from the University of Minnesota Medical School and CentraCare discussed with the University’s Board of Regents today their intention to strengthen the organizations’ partnership to improve health for Greater Minnesota residents. Jakub Tolar, dean of the Medical School and vice president for clinical affairs, along with Ken Holmen, president and CEO of CentraCare Health, ...

Elected roles in local government have a unique and vital place in our democracy, where neighbors elect neighbors to help their communities thrive. Unfortunately, we’ve all heard stories of increasing polarization and toxic political climate showing up in local settings. What’s it really like to run for office and serve in local elected roles like ...

EXCERPT: “Although the number of hospitals and health care facilities continue to decline in rural America, more rural residents are able to access mental health services and are more open to talking about opioid addiction, a new poll funded by the American Farm Bureau Federation found. Morning Consult did the national poll in October 2022, ...

By Kelly Asche, Senior Research Associate The Center for Rural Policy and Development is currently working on a research project exploring migration trends of Southwest Minnesota high school graduates. This report will be released in early 2023, but as we explore the data, we would like to showcase a few interesting nuggets. The severity of ...

EXCERPT: “Ashley Hanson wants you to know about an exhibit that celebrates rural Minnesota artists and stories. Hanson, executive director of the nonprofit Department of Public of Transformation in Granite Falls, recommends ‘Field Notes: 7 Truths about the Rural,’ which draws together the work of seven artists of various disciplines. They explore subjects that make ...

EXCERPT: “Child care center operator Nicole Flick sees no shortage of parents trying to secure spots for their children. ‘The spots are there,’ Flick said. ‘We just can’t fill them because we don’t have enough staff to meet the ratios required by the state.’ The ABC123 Child Enrichment Center in Dilworth, Minn., east of Moorhead, is ...

EXCERPT: “Gov. Tim Walz handily beat Republican challenger Scott Jensen on Tuesday, with preliminary data showing Walz with nearly an 8-point margin. While comfortable, that margin is somewhat diminished from Walz’s first campaign in 2018, when he defeated Jeff Johnson by more than 11% for the gubernatorial seat vacated by Mark Dayton. Below the surface, however, the data ...

EXCERPT: “The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) and partners are recognizing dedicated health care professionals who have made significant contributions to the health and well-being of their rural communities as part of National Rural Health Day, Nov. 17. ‘The honorees embody the spirit of service and innovation that has helped Minnesota build a nationally respected ...

By Julie Tesch, President & CEO “Seek first to understand, then to be understood.”  – Dr. Stephen Covey, “7 Habits of Highly Effective People” Election Day has always held wonders for me. I grew up in southern Minnesota going to our local township hall with my parents. I vividly remember the wood-burning stove and wondering ...