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Today's Question Blog

Should the state buy the Minnesota Orchestra?

The Minnesota Orchestra performing at the 4th of July celebration in Excelsior, MN. Photo by peterrieke via MPR News Flickr pool Minnesota House Rep. Phyllis Kahn says she’s sponsoring a bill to buy the Minnesota Orchestra. “Kahn, a DFL-er from south Minneapolis, is suggesting the state form a corporation to take over the orchestra and…
by Michael Olson

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When should kids learn to program computers?

When should kids learn to program computers?

In Rochester, officials are looking for ways to grow computer programmers locally. Surya Ghatty is one of a group of IBM and Mayo Clinic programmers and software developers mentoring local students, teaching young kids how to code even before their hands are big enough to stretch completely across a keyboard. “We would like to see…
by Michael Olson

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Will the ongoing government shutdown change how you vote in the next election?

Photo: U.S. Capitol by Victoria Pickering via Flickr The federal government shutdown is in its 13th day, with little sign of a budget deal that could win the approval of both houses of Congress, as well as the White House. The debate now includes efforts to avoid a default if the government’s debt limit isn’t…
by Michael Olson

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What has been your greatest adventure?

What has been your greatest adventure?

Jason Zabokrtsky is setting off on a 14 day bushwhacking trip through the wilderness. Zabokrtsky set off this morning from Atikokan, Ontario. He’s on a solo bushwhacking trip to Ely, Minnesota. At his fastest he will be moving a mile per hour while bushwhacking. He will see things in Quetico Provincial Park and in the…
by Michael Olson

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What would it take for you to improve your view of Congress?

What would it take for you to improve your view of Congress?

People in the U.S. regularly have a dim view of Congress, but a new public opinion poll by the Associates Press indicates only 5% of Americans have a positive view of Congress. “The point of the poll was generally to gauge Americans’ reaction to the shutdown, which was already several days old when the polling…
by Michael Olson

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If you could take a pill to slow aging, would you?

If you could take a pill to slow aging, would you?

“While the anti-aging ‘cures’ being marketed these days are largely snake oil, in the laboratory scientists have managed to extend the lives of laboratory animals. And they have a better understanding of the mechanisms of biological aging,” writes NPR’s Ina Jaffe. That’s good news if you’re a lab rat, but at present there are no…
by Michael Olson

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Should kids be playing football?

Should kids be playing football?

“If 10 percent of mothers come to believe that football is dangerous — to the point of brain damage, effectively — that’s the end of football as we know it,” — pathologist Bennet Omalu. Mark Fainaru-Wada and his brother, Steve Fainaru, have written a new book called League of Denial, which was also turned into…
by Michael Olson

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Should mug-shots of exonerated people be public information?

Should mug-shots of exonerated people be public information?

It was only a matter of time before the Internet started to monetize humiliation. In this case, the time was early 2011, when mug-shot Web sites started popping up to turn the most embarrassing photograph of anyone’s life into cash. The sites are perfectly legal, and they get financial oxygen the same way as other…
by Michael Olson

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Are personal seat licenses a good investment?

Are personal seat licenses a good investment?

Part of the new Vikings stadium financing plan rests squarely on the shoulders of fans. “The state has agreed to sell $125 million in personal seat licenses on the team’s behalf. The licenses will range in price from $500 to $10,000, although the average seat license will cost $2,500 each. “And three out of four…
by Michael Olson

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How vigilant are you in keeping your data private?

How vigilant are you in keeping your data private?

“Many Americans would be surprised by how easily local law enforcement, IRS investigators, the FBI and private attorneys can reach into the vast pool of personal information about their lives with little more than a subpoena, which no judge needs to review,” write G.W. Schulz and Daniel Zwerdling. “And it’s not just for selling you…
by Michael Olson

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