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Today's Question Blog

When is it worth preserving historic or iconic buildings?

When is it worth preserving historic or iconic buildings?

Ground Level from MPR News: It looms in the heart of town, perhaps an old school or a hotel, stone or brick, big and empty. Infrastructure from the past but no longer in demand, it occupies high ground, an architect-designed, iconic building made of solid local materials. It once was a town’s soul. Now it’s…
by Michael Olson

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What do you make of the Egyptian coup?

What do you make of the Egyptian coup?

Two overarching themes are emerging from Egypt. The overthrow of the democratically elected leader Mohamed Morsi by the military is a blow to the potential of democracy in the region, but others contend Morsi and the leaders of the Muslim Brotherhood overreached and abused their power. More from the New York Times: From Benghazi to…
by Michael Olson

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Are fireworks displays a good use of local tax dollars?

Fireworks at Battle Creek in St Paul, photo by NVJ via Flickr For the first time since the city began celebrating Independence Day, Red Wing is going without a fireworks display. A committee that raises money to fund the show failed to convince enough businesses and individuals that it was worth lighting up the sky…
by Michael Olson

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Is it better to quit while you are at the top of your game, or to fade away slowly?

Is it better to quit while you are at the top of your game, or to fade away slowly?

By NPR’s Frank Deford Ah, once again: the perennial question about the great champion as he grows into athletic dotage: Should he quit when he is still near the top of his game? Or should he keep playing the sport he loves, unashamed at more everyday defeats to everyday players? Roger Federer suffered at Wimbledon…
by Michael Olson

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Would asylum for Edward Snowden serve the public interest?

Would asylum for Edward Snowden serve the public interest?

With help from a WikiLeaks lawyer, the young American who admits he leaked information about National Security Agency surveillance programs has now asked more than 20 nations to give him asylum. But as NPR’s Jean Cochran said early Tuesday on the network’s newscast, Edward Snowden’s chances of getting asylum from any nation in Europe “do…
by Michael Olson

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Will new taxes change how you spend your money in Minnesota?

Photo by Ed Schipul via Flickr A range of changes in Minnesota tax laws take effect today, MPR News political reporter Tim Pugmire has the highlights: * A new 9.85 percent tax rate will apply to taxable income above $250,000 for couples and $150,000 for single filers * The taxes on a pack of cigarettes…
by Michael Olson

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What’s most important to you when it comes to immigration reform?

The U.S. Senate passed an immigration reform bill yesterday 68-32.  The House will now take up the issue, but Republican leaders have made it clear they will draft their own version of the bill. The Senate bill includes a 13-year path to citizenship for immigrants living in the country illegally, new visa programs, as well…
by Molly Bloom

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How are your student loan payments affecting your finances?

A bipartisan group of senators has announced a proposal to prevent a doubling of the interest rate on certain federal student loans, an increase that would affect seven million college students in the coming school year. Student loan debt is a burden for many, the total surpassing $1 trillion earlier this year. Today’s Question: How…
by Molly Bloom

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What’s your reaction to the Supreme Court rulings on same-sex marriage?

The Supreme Court ruled Wednesday that legally married same-sex couples should get the same federal benefits as heterosexual couples. The court invalidated a provision of the federal Defense of Marriage Act that has prevented married gay couples from receiving a range of tax, health and retirement benefits that are generally available to married people. The vote…
by Molly Bloom

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Have charter schools lived up to their promise?

“A new national study of charter schools finds some improvement in school performance, but shows students at charters still aren’t doing as well as students in traditional public schools,” reports Tim Post of MPR News. Critics of the charter movement in Minnesota say it is further proof that charters are not living up to their…
by Jon Gordon

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