It’s not trendy and it’s not glitzy but Virginia, Minnesota — on the Iron Range — has one of the 10 best neighborhoods for people over 50 in the country, according to the AARP.
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MPR News Reflections and observations on the news

We’ll find out more later today about the arrests of several people in Minneapolis and San Diego in a continuing investigation of the recruitment of potential terrorists. Read more →

A little gloomy today, perhaps, but Aitkin County author Leif Enger’s latest video marks the official beginning of ‘we don’t complain about the weather’ season in Minnesota.
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This week’s clue:
When you enter this town, a huge Hereford steer greets you.
For the literary crowd, it’s better known as the city where author Jon Hassler was raised.
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A civil war in the country music world this week is highlighting what happens when people aren’t interested in things like facts and details. Read more →
We could stare for hours at the faces in Pioneer Press reporter Fred Melo’s tweet/photo from Mayor Chris Coleman’s State of the City speech last night.
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Sun Newspapers reports the district is considering a policy to ban permanent memorials to dead students. Officials are concerned about having too many memorials on school grounds. Read more →
If cats could get the respect they occasionally deserve, a cat — Professor X, to you — would be the newest member of the North Dakota State University Senate. Read more →

Having never had our car towed, we have no idea whether ESPN reporter Britt McHenry’s tirade is typical of life at the impound lot.
We do know this, however: There’s always a camera on you. Always. Read more →
Minnesota is getting another test of whether First Amendment rights extend to private functions on public property.
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The Fargo school administrators Thursday rejected a constitutional challenge to their refusal to allow ‘pro-life clubs’ at two high schools. Read more →

Remember a month or so ago when we sports fans had tears in our eyes as Kevin Garnett returned to the hardwood of Target Center?
If you see your colleagues dabbing the eyes this afternoon, it’s because of this: Star Wars is back. Read more →
Like Dunkin’ Donuts, it’s becoming quite the fad to worship at the feet of Minneapolis, even if there’s a fair amount of mythology in the process. The Atlantic seemed to have started the trend a month or so ago when a reporter, without visiting the city, described it as a “miracle,” which it is so Read more →

Joan Cheever has a non-profit food truck and every Tuesday for about a year, she feeds the homeless near a park in San Antonio.
Last week she got a ticket because it’s against city law. Read more →
Every year around this time, journalists — especially ex-newspaper journalists — embrace the survey that shows that theirs is the worst job in America. It’s as good an example of the victim mentality as there is. Read more →