With all the criticism of teacher qualifications that went on at the Minnesota Legislature, celebrating the selection of an Edina High School English teacher as the Teacher of the Year, is a welcome relief.

Thanks to the Minnesota Legislature and Gov. Mark Dayton, Minnesota 10th graders will be able to take college-level accredited courses while in high school, starting next school year.

Parents are convinced and research shows that students who participate in extra curricular activities do better in school and in life.

There is a bill that if passed by the Minnesota Legislature would allow the public to use publicly-owned or managed shooting ranges, some in local police stations.

Apparently there is bipartisan legislative support to pass a sales tax on online purchases made in Minnesota to online sellers located outside the state, like Amazon.

In most legislative sessions, some senator or legislator is critical of the Metropolitan Council and wants to see some changes.

Four-dollar-a-gallon gasoline at the pump has become a political issue, but that’s not the real cost.

Some Minnesota legislators want to push ahead with bills, and a favorite topic is welfare.

At a time when more people than ever are using their community libraries, the funding gradually is being reduced.

by Don Heinzman Minnesota high school juniors and seniors who meet established standards are fortunate to be able to take college classes and to have the tuition and books paid for by the state.

by Don Heinzman How teachers with tenure should be evaluated and laid off in a school system are hot topics at the Minnesota Legislature.

by Don Heinzman The Eden Prairie City Council is the latest to approve a Domestic Partner Registry that legally enables couples living together and not married to acquire certain benefits.

by Don Heinzman A survey of area school superintendents revealed that all educational opportunities for each Minnesota student are not equal.

by Don Heinzman With about 176,000 Minnesotans out of work, Gov. Mark Dayton’s bonding bill, which a study says will create 21,700 jobs, should be considered immediately.

by Don Heinzman The city of Nowthen deserves some credit for finding a solution to a demand that it either pays for Anoka County Sheriff patrol services or lose that service.

by Don Heinzman Every community with a hockey program at any level should be concerned on how the game is coached, officiated and played, following the checking-from-behind accident that has paralyzed Jack Jablonski, a sophomore from Benilde-St. Margaret High School.

by Don Heinzman Solutions to reducing poverty in Minnesota and particularly in suburban communities will challenge local and state leaders in 2012.

by Don Heinzman More people than ever are getting their holiday food from local food shelves.

by Don Heinzman The number of homeless young people in suburban and outstate communities is growing at an alarming rate and more shelters are needed.

by Don Heinzman With Black Friday behind us, how about some green sales days on our local main streets?

by Don Heinzman That rumble you hear may be a property tax uprising that could be starting in the suburban communities.

by Don Heinzman Despite opposition from Republican leaders, the majority of voters in Minnesota school districts approved 80 percent of the school operating levy elections on Tuesday, Nov. 8.