Twelve days of the Minnesota State Fair means the Fairgrounds are open for 190 hours, which is 11,400 minutes, which means that out of the 3,829 activities on the Fair’s official schedule, we can do each one for 2 minutes and 58.6 seconds if we…

Whew. Deep breaths.

There’s so much happening all the time at the State Fair that it’s impossible to do everything — but that’s part of the joy of the Great Minnesota Get-Together! Alongside your favorite annual traditions, there’s always more to explore: activities you haven’t done yet, foods you haven’t tasted yet, animals you haven’t petted yet.

Here’s our day-by-day guide to some free Fair fun to put on your radar that you might not have known about, and that won’t cost an arm and a leg — because you’ll need those for walking and Pronto Pup-eating.

THURSDAY, Aug. 21

Daily deal: Brave the opening-day crowds with cheaper admission: Adults can get in for $18, and kids and senior tickets are $15. Plus, ticket deals all day on rides and games at the Mighty Midway, Kidway and Adventure Park.

Today’s theme is: STEM Day. Along with a variety of science, tech, engineering and math activities at Dan Patch Park, catch the University of Minnesota Physics Force troupe performing at 9:15 a.m. and 2:15 p.m., the university’s Raptor Center at 10:15 a.m. and 12:15 p.m. and local musician Terrell X running a program called “Engineering a Human Beat Box” at 1:15 p.m.

FOUR FOR FREE:

PERK UP: Comedy magician Chipper Lowell brings his funny and mesmerizing schtick to the State Fair for a high-energy all-ages show. 12:30 and 3:30 p.m. at Family Fair Stage at Baldwin Park (and same times on Aug. 22, 23, 24, 25 and 26)

GET COZY: Learn to spin or felt wool. (You can also learn to wash and dry it earlier in the day, should you so choose.) 2 to 4 p.m. at Sheep & Poultry Barn (and same times Aug. 22, 23, 25, 26 and 27)

SPEAK FOR THE TREES: It’s the classic “The Lorax,” as told through puppets by We All Need Food & Water. 4 p.m. at The DIRT demonstration stage at the Agriculture-Horticulture Building

FREE SHOW OF THE DAY: Singer-songwriter Rachel Platten makes more music than just her inescapable 2015 hit “Fight Song.” 8:30 p.m. at the Bandshell (and same time on Aug. 22)

Fairgoers plunge down the Giant Slide at the Minnesota State Fair in Falcon Heights on Friday, Aug. 23, 2024. (John Autey / Pioneer Press)

FRIDAY, Aug. 22

Daily deal: Ticket promotions till 1 p.m. on rides and games at the Mighty Midway, Kidway and Adventure Park.

Today’s theme is: Governor’s Fire Prevention Day, with activities and safety demonstrations around the Fairgrounds. At Dan Patch Park, see mock car crashes at 12:30 and 3:30 p.m., participate in a quiz show at 12:30 and 4 p.m. (sorry, firefighters, you’re not eligible) and hear from officials including Gov. Tim Walz at 11:30 a.m.

FOUR FOR FREE:

BE THERE OR: Be square! The Square Dance Federation of Minnesota, a group of 22 clubs, is putting its best foot forward. 1 and 2:30 p.m. at Cosgrove Stage (and same times on Aug. 21)

PAIR: Deeann Lufkin, head cheesemaker and owner of Cannon Belles Cheese, will talk about pairing Minnesota wines with Minnesota cheeses, both of which are better than you might expect. 3:30 p.m. at Minnesota Wine Country (and same time on Aug. 29)

TWEET: The old-fashioned way by learning how to identify birds. Figure out how to tell birds apart and connect with community birding resources at Birding 101. 5 p.m. at The DIRT demonstration stage at the Agriculture-Horticulture Building

FREE SHOW OF THE DAY: Apart from hosting KFAI’s very-long-running folk music show “Womenfolk,” Ellen Stanley also performs her own tunes as Mother Banjo. 12:30, 1:30 and 2:30 p.m. at the West End Market Stage at Schilling Amphitheater (and same times on Aug. 21)

3 P.M. — Two-year-old Carol Fischer and her brothers, Benjamin, 6, and Timothy, 3, right, enjoy a handful of cotton candy as they ride in a wagon at the Minnesota State Fair in Falcon Heights on Friday, Aug. 23, 2024. (John Autey / Pioneer Press)

SATURDAY, Aug. 23

Today’s theme is: 4-H Day. Separately, over at Dan Patch Park for Hubbard Broadcasting Day, hear tapings of the Tom Barnard Podcast at 10:15 a.m., KS95’s Staci and Hutch’s “Say Too Much” Podcast at 1:30 p.m. and KS95’s After Hours Podcast with Crisco, Dez and Wes at 2:45 p.m.

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FOUR FOR FREE:

GRILL: 4-H youth show off their secret barbecue sauce recipes on chickens they’re grilling in the 4-H Chicken BBQ Contest. 8:30 a.m. at Lee & Rose Warner Coliseum

IT TAKES TWO: Tango Society of Minnesota dancers present classic Argentinian dance. 10 a.m., 11 a.m. and 12 p.m. at Cosgrove Stage

MELT LIKE LEMON DROPS: Children’s Theatre Company performers will present a quick rendition of “Somewhere Over The Rainbow” from “The Wizard of Oz.” 12:45 p.m. at Dan Patch Park

FREE SHOW OF THE DAY: Kat Perkins, the Twin Cities musician and “The Voice” semifinalist, brings her Good Time Band to the Fair. 6:30 p.m. at Cafe Caribe

6 P.M.: Members of the Minnesota State Fair Mounted Patrol ride their horses along Liggett Street at the Minnesota State Fair in Falcon Heights on Friday, Aug. 23, 2024. (John Autey / Pioneer Press)

SUNDAY, Aug. 24

FOUR FOR FREE:

BAAA-LOWEEN: Teams of four people in themed costumes race to dress up a sheep in a matching outfit, and the audience votes for their favorite group. 9 a.m. at Sheep & Poultry Barn

SLITHER: Come hang out with friends from the Minnesota Herpetological Society, both human and reptile. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at DNR Garden Stage (and same time Aug. 31)

GALLOP: Massive, muscular draft horses are not commonly ridden — they’re workhorses, literally — but Draft Horse Barrel Racing sees talented equestrians ride them at high speeds around obstacles. 3 p.m. at Lee & Rose Warner Coliseum

FREE SHOW OF THE DAY: Arrested Development, the Grammy-winning hip hop group that’s been performing and championing social causes for more than three decades, takes the stage. 8:30 p.m. at the Bandshell (and same time on Aug. 23).

12 P.M.: Penelope Kofoed, 4, enjoys some down time on the shoulder of her dad, Alex, as the Minnetonka family explores the Minnesota State Fair in Falcon Heights on Friday, Aug. 23, 2024. (John Autey / Pioneer Press)

MONDAY, Aug. 25

Daily deal: It’s Seniors Day, so bring your friends (or yourselves) aged 65+ for $15 admission tickets. Plus, early-bird specials till 1 p.m. on rides and games at the Mighty Midway, Kidway and Adventure Park.

Today’s theme is: Mental Health Awareness Day. Throughout the day, catch performances at Dan Patch Park from intertribal collective Imnizaska Drum Group, Hmong dragon dancing pioneer Alivia Lor, local folk duo Wren and Wilde, drag family Mystereo, musician Abraham Westlund, introspective songwriter Elska and renowned drum group Red Lake Singers.

FOUR FOR FREE:

ROCK ON: Geologically speaking. Kids can hunt for pieces of Lake Superior agate, the Minnesota state rock. (Did you know we had a state rock?) 12 and 2 p.m. at DNR Building

CHAIN REACTION: Bicycl-ologically speaking. Mr. Michael, from the eponymous and delightfully rhyming local bike shop Mr. Michael Recycles Bicycles, will share some bicycle maintenance tips. 12 p.m. at Eco Experience

MAKE A MOVE: Terpsichorially speaking. Take a break from eating to join a quick Zumba dance-fitness class. 3:30, 4:30 and 5:30 p.m. at Cosgrove Stage (also at 1 and 2:30 p.m. Aug. 28 and at 10 a.m., 11 a.m. and 12 p.m. Aug. 30)

FREE SHOW OF THE DAY: Another big-name free show, Mexican American cross-genre rockers Los Lobos have been in the game for more than 50 years, so they know what they’re doing. 8:30 p.m. at the Bandshell (and same time on Aug. 26).

TUESDAY, Aug. 26

Daily deal: In honor of Military Appreciation Day, $15 admission across the board for active military and spouses/kids, retired military and spouses and military veterans and spouses, with valid documentation of service. (Please note a slight change from previous years: This discount still extends to all spouses, but only children of active military are eligible for reduced-price admission.) Plus, get ticket deals all day on rides and games at the Mighty Midway, Kidway and Adventure Park.

Today’s theme is: Military Appreciation Day. The Red Bull Band, the 34th Infantry Division Band Ensemble, is performing at Dan Patch Park at 1:30, 2:25, 3:30 and 4:30.

FOUR FOR FREE:

SIT / STAY: Both things you can do while watching talented dogs show off their obedience training skills and run agility courses. 9 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. at Pet Pavilion outdoor demo area

MOO: Will potentially be said by humans, not cows, during the 23rd annual Celebrity Farm Animal Calling Contest. 12:20 p.m. at Moo Booth

PORTOBEL-LEO: Maybe you know your zodiac sign, but what’s your fungus sign? This mycology astrology is hosted by the University of Minnesota Department of Plant Pathology, so you know it’s legit. 3 to 6 p.m. at Agriculture-Horticulture Building (also from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 21)

FREE SHOW OF THE DAY: Local Americana-roots trio Wild Horses have opened for Willie Nelson, Wilco and Trampled by Turtles, but it’s all their show this time. 4, 5 and 6 p.m. at West End Market Stage at Schilling Amphitheater (and same times on Aug. 25).

Musicians with Chisago Lakes Area High School Marching Band perform during the daily parade at the Minnesota State Fair in Falcon Heights on Saturday, Aug., 24, 2024. (John Autey / Pioneer Press)

WEDNESDAY, Aug. 27

Daily deal: It’s Kids Day, so bring the young’uns aged 5–12 for $15 admission, plus ticket deals all day (for both kids and older kids-at-heart, too!) on rides and games at the Mighty Midway, Kidway and Adventure Park.

Today’s theme is: Theater Day. Great for kids, ETC Productions is staging “The Little Mermaid Jr.” at 9 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. at Dan Patch Park.

FOUR FOR FREE:

WUNDERBAR: The wurst wizards and spaetzle specialists from the Black Forest Inn, the iconic Minneapolis German restaurant, are doing demos throughout the day. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Cambria Kitchen, inside the Creative Activities building

PUPPETS: Catch Open Eye Theatre’s Two Wheel Tour, a mini puppet theater pulled by a tandem bike. The puppet show itself is a fun musical comedy for all ages, with a behind-the-scenes look into puppetry after the show. 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. at West End Market (and same times on Aug. 28)

STOP BUGGING ME: Just kidding — these entomologists are here to answer all your questions about insects and bugs and other crawly critters. 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. at DNR Volunteer Outdoor Stage

FREE SHOW OF THE DAY: Yes, OK, we know it’s summer — but Winter Carnival favorites Klondike Kates can croon and swoon in any weather. 12 p.m. at The Frontier

Antoinette Weedor from Denver takes a photo of her very first Pronto Pup with her friend and Minnesota native Caroline Degnan while visiting the Minnesota State Fair in Falcon Heights on Friday, Aug. 23, 2024. The friends who currently reside in Chicago a part of a larger group that Degnan introduced to the Minnesota State Fair. (John Autey / Pioneer Press)

THURSDAY, Aug. 28

Daily deal: It’s Seniors Day again! If you’re 65+ and need more State Fair in your life, come on by today for $15. Plus, early-bird specials till 1 p.m. on rides and games at the Mighty Midway, Kidway and Adventure Park.

Today’s theme is: UCare Stretch & Stroll Day. At Dan Patch Park, along with wellness programming, catch performances from a variety of groups including Pearl Brothers, VocalEssence Singers Of This Age and Gotta Dance Line Dancers.

FOUR FOR FREE:

SAVE THE DRAMA: See a llama! Drop in to see exhibitors guide their llamas through various obstacle courses and performance classes. 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Compeer Arena

TRANSFORM THE FOOD SYSTEM: All day long, the Metro Food Justice Network is highlighting how food can be a pathway toward advancing racial equity. 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. at The Common Table at the Ag-Hort building (also on Aug. 25 and Aug. 30)

GROW A BEE-ARD: For 25 years now, Gary Reuter from the University of Minnesota Bee Lab has placed 10,000 real honeybees on the faces of audience volunteers to make a “living beard of bees.” He’s doing it again — maybe on your face this time around? Or not. Your call. 1 p.m. at Agriculture-Horticulture Building

FREE SHOW OF THE DAY: Chicago reggae band Gizzae, active since the early ’90s, brings musicians from around the world to have a good time. 3:15, 4:30 and 5:45 p.m. at Summit Stage at the Bazaar (and same times on Aug. 27).

Lino Lakes Blue Heron Day ambassadors, from left, Tabitha Johnson, Amelia Patterson and Emily Black laugh as they pet a cow in the Cattle Barn on the opening day of the Minnesota State Fair in Falcon Heights on Thursday, Aug. 22, 2024. (John Autey / Pioneer Press)

FRIDAY, Aug. 29

Daily deal: Early-bird specials till 1 p.m. on rides and games at the Mighty Midway, Kidway and Adventure Park.

Today’s theme is: MPR Day. At Dan Patch Park, tune in live as Marketplace’s David Brancaccio talks with Tom Crann at 10 a.m., Danger Boat Productions stages Minnesota-inspired improv at 11:30 a.m., classical musicians take the stage at 1 p.m. and The Current presents local musicians Colin Bracewell at 2:30 p.m. and Mae Simpson at 4 p.m.

FOUR FOR FREE:

MAKE CROP ART: For kids. Sorry, adults. But younger fairgoers can do a make-and-take crop art activity. Between 9:30 and 11:30 a.m. and 1 and 3 p.m. at Agriculture Horticulture Building (and same time frames on Aug. 22, 25, 27 and Sept. 1)

GET CULTURED: Do you think you have what it takes to win a yogurt-eating competition? Find out and win prizes, though isn’t having good gut health a reward in itself? 10:30 a.m. at Moo Booth

SEE DANCE: St. Paul-based CAAM Chinese Dance Theater, the longest-running Chinese dance company in the Midwest, brings their style to the Fair. 9:30 a.m., 10:15 a.m., 11:45 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. at East Grandstand Plaza (and same times on Aug. 30)

FREE SHOW OF THE DAY: Say it ain’t sol! Tonic Sol-fa, the renowned a capella quartet who’ve been a staple of State Fairs and other stages for years, are on their farewell tour. See them for one of the last times. 1 and 2:30 p.m. at the Bandshell (and same times on Aug. 30).

Aaron Grimm, 12, from Kettle River, sits with his 3-year old Holstein Friesian cow ‘Happy Day’ in the cattle barn at the Minnesota State Fair in Falcon Heights on Thursday, Aug.,22, 2024. (John Autey / Pioneer Press)

SATURDAY, Aug. 30

Today’s theme is: Pan-Latino Day. Hosted by La Raza 95.7 FM and 1400/1470 AM, swing by Dan Patch Park all day for Latin American dancers, musicians, artists and other cultural programming.

FOUR FOR FREE:

BAKE: With the banh mi and croissant experts from Mi-Sant, the delightful Vietnamese spot in Roseville. They’ll do demos and tastings throughout the day. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Cambria Kitchen, inside the Creative Activities Building

SCREAM: For ice cream! Compete in this ice cream-eating competition — with prizes in three age categories — and then find the nearest restroom. Sign-up begins at 2 p.m., contest at 2:30 at Moo Booth

GROW: Experts will share their secrets to growing giant pumpkins (or even, we imagine, regular-sized ones if you’re tight on space). 10 a.m. at The DIRT demonstration stage at the Agriculture-Horticulture Building (and same time on Aug. 23; also at 5 p.m. Aug. 21 and at 4 p.m. Aug. 22 and 29)

FREE SHOW OF THE DAY: Early in her career, local singer-songwriter Sarah Morris moved to Nashville, but soon realized she wanted to bring her rootsy sound back home. 10:30 and 11:45 a.m. at the Bandshell (and same times on Aug. 29).

Kimm Schneider, from Minneapolis, hands a customer a caramel roll at the Hamline Dining Hall at the Minnesota State Fair in Falcon Heights on Thursday, Aug. 22, 2024. (John Autey / Pioneer Press)

SUNDAY, Aug. 31

FOUR FOR FREE:

MOO-TIVATE: The 27th annual Great Minnesota Moo-Off once again challenges human fairgoers to do their best cow impressions. Sign up at 2 p.m., contest at 2:30 at Moo Booth

MALBEC MINUTIAE: Think you know a lot about Minnesota wine? Jump onstage for the Minnesota Wine Quiz Show — and try samples in the process — with Nikki Erpelding and Karin Rockstad, owners of Vine Lab Wine & Spirits Academy. 3:30 p.m. at Minnesota Wine Country

MESMERIZE: In this all-ages show, performer Lizzy will “explore the hilarious side of hypnosis and discover the amazing power and creativity of the human mind.” 7 p.m. at Family Fair Stage at Baldwin Park (and same time on Sept. 1)

FREE SHOW OF THE DAY: Raised up north and now based in Minneapolis, indie-pop singer Ber is quickly becoming a standout of the local music scene. (You may have seen her make a brief cameo appearance filling in for sick Motion City Soundtrack frontman Justin Pierre at the Minnesota Yacht Club festival earlier this summer.) 7:30 p.m. at the Bandshell (and same time on Sept. 1).

Brynn Justen, 5, from Bloomington, rides atop the shoullders of her dad, Rob, as they wait in line for food on the opening day of the Minnesota State Fair in Falcon Heights on Thursday, Aug. 22, 2024. (John Autey / Pioneer Press)

MONDAY, Sept. 1

Daily deal: It’s Labor Day, the last day of summer break — so it’s Kids Day again, with $15 tickets for ages 5–12. Plus, ticket deals all day on rides and games at the Mighty Midway, Kidway and Adventure Park.

Today’s theme is: Hmong Minnesota Day. It’s the 10th annual celebration of local Hmong culture, with programming all day at Dan Patch Park from singers, dancers, martial artists, community leaders and more.

FOUR FOR FREE:

TAME THE BEAST: The talented artists from In the Heart of the Beast Puppet and Mask Theatre are leading art-making activities, telling puppet stories and displaying their creations. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at DNR Garden Stage

THE MICHELANGELO OF MOZZARELLA: Or maybe you’re the Botero of brie? Or the Calder of cheddar? I could go all day. Point is, the annual cheese-carving competition is open to the public. Sign up at noon, contest at 12:30 p.m. at Moo Booth

JUMP THE BARK: Perennial State Fair favorite All-Star Stunt Dogs Splash is back once again as dogs dodge, duck, dip, dive and dodge, among other tricks. If you haven’t seen them yet, get to it! 11 a.m., 2 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. at North Woods Stage (and same times every day of the Fair)

FREE SHOW OF THE DAY: The six-piece Dylan Salfer Band, which includes not only the namesake bluesman Dylan Salfer but a variety of other talented musicians, too, blends jazz, soul, rock and blues. 10:30 and 11:45 a.m. at the Bandshell (and same times on Aug. 31).

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Tulsi Gabbard, the U.S. director of national intelligence, admittedly struck the wrong note in a melodramatic video she put out after visiting Hiroshima, which was destroyed by an atomic bomb 80 years ago.

“As we stand here today, closer to the brink of nuclear annihilation than ever before,” Gabbard said, “political-elite warmongers are carelessly fomenting fear and tensions between nuclear powers.” That reference to unspecified warmongers hewed to her unfortunate pattern of spreading conspiracy theories. Her boss, President Donald Trump, wasn’t pleased.

But Gabbard was right about her other point: that we — Homo sapiens — may be closer to the brink than ever before. That’s what I keep hearing from experts on nuclear strategy in Washington. The danger today may not be as acute as it was during the Cuban Missile Crisis. But it is much more diffuse, complicated and unpredictable than it has ever been. And while those in the know can summarize how we got to this point, nobody, as far as I know, has any good ideas about where to go from here.

The diagnosis is essentially a long list of separate but simultaneous developments that collectively upset the relatively simple balance of terror that stabilized the late Cold War.

At that time, two nuclear superpowers held each other in check while a few other nations kept small arsenals for deterrence and almost all other countries abided by the Non-Proliferation Treaty, meant to limit the spread of these diabolical weapons.

Entire ecosystems of expertise had blossomed in academia and government to model the scenarios that might lead to Armageddon, and the resulting game theory, though sophisticated, was relatively straightforward. Stipulating that a nuclear war “cannot be won and must never be fought,” the big two — Washington and Moscow — negotiated arms-control treaties to reduce the number of warheads and weapons. After the Cold War, strategists shifted to studying other threats — terrorism and such — because nuclear annihilation seemed passé.

Instead, it tops the horror rankings again. The last remaining arms-control treaty between Washington and Moscow, called New START, expires in six months, and no efforts are underway to extend or replace it. One of the two parties, Russia, has been acting in bad faith and breaking nuclear taboos by threatening to use lower-yield weapons (sometimes called “tactical” or “battlefield” nukes) in Ukraine and stationing warheads in neighboring Belarus.

Worse, a third nuclear superpower, China, is turning the former dyad into a triad. Whereas Beijing long maintained only a minimal deterrent, it has in recent years doubled its arsenal to about 600 warheads and is rapidly adding more, with the apparent goal of having 1,500 or so in a decade — roughly as many as the U.S. and Russia each currently have deployed. (“Deployed” means ready for use at any time — for instance, on the tip of a missile in a silo. Washington and Moscow also have thousands more in storage each.)

This new reality forces strategists in Washington to contemplate what would happen if Russia and China ever coordinated attacks on, say, Eastern Europe and Taiwan. Such a two-front war could start “conventional” (meaning non-nuclear) but escalate to the use of battlefield nukes, at which point further escalation spirals become incalculable.

The U.S. is already modernizing — albeit with huge delays and cost overruns — its missiles, bombers, submarines and warheads. Should it now also add to its arsenal overall, to deter or be able to fight both Russia and China at once?

Experts agree that nuclear deterrence is not a pure numbers game (all sides would soon just be irradiating rubble). And game theory is far from clear about what is stabilizing and destabilizing in the real world; the math in such a “three-body problem” becomes forbidding.

Nor does the number three capture the horror of this analytical hairball. In total, nine countries have nukes. And even if the recent American strikes on Iran set back Tehran’s program for a while, other countries may build their own. They could include U.S. allies, such as South Korea or Poland, if they lose faith in the U.S. nuclear “umbrella.”

More players mean more scenarios for people to miscalculate. (An especially dangerous period is the phase when countries are making nukes but do not yet have them because adversaries may contemplate preemptive strikes.)  North Korea can already hit the U.S. with its weapons; and Washington believes that Pakistan is also building missiles that can reach America.

Even that catalog doesn’t do justice to the new threat landscape because the types of warheads and delivery vehicles are changing. For example, more countries are investing in those tactical nukes I mentioned, which are “limited” only in theory but in practice likely to set off uncontrollable escalation to full-scale nuclear war.

China is also building hypersonic glide vehicles which, unlike ballistic missiles, can circle the Earth inside the atmosphere and disguise their destinations. Russia is thinking about putting nukes in space. And Trump wants to place a defensive “Golden Dome” up there, which would pose its own strategic problems.

Add to these twists the imponderable of artificial intelligence, which drastically accelerates human decision-making and thus increases the potential for human error, especially under pressure. Those risks become even worse wherever AI meets misinformation. (During the recent clash between nuclear-armed India and Pakistan, fake photos of damage went viral in both countries.) Scientists warn about the combination of misinformation “thickening the fog of war” and “giving the launch codes to ChatGPT.”

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Bright minds are studying these developments, including Vipin Narang and Pranay Vaddi, two nuclear experts who served in the administration of Joe Biden and are now at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. But diagnosis is one thing, prescription quite another. The U.S. “will need innovative approaches,” they conclude — without listing any.

“We’re approaching a tripolar world, and everything is different in that scenario,” says John Bolton, who was national security advisor in Trump’s first term. “All of our calculations on nuclear weaponry, the nuclear triad, where the stuff is deployed, how you create structures of deterrence,” he told me, “how you engage in arms-control negotiations, all of it, all of that theorizing … all of that is on a bipolar basis.” Then he added dolefully: “You make it tripolar and you got to start over again.”

Trump seems to have grasped this reality. He has said repeatedly that he wants to restart arms-control negotiations and that he wants them to be at least trilateral, including both Russia and China. Whether his counterparts in Moscow and Beijing will rise to the occasion is unclear.

Much divides those three leaders, and indeed humanity. But if we can’t agree to sequester our hatreds and vanities to deal with this singular threat, none of those other things will matter.

Andreas Kluth is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering US diplomacy, national security and geopolitics. Previously, he was editor-in-chief of Handelsblatt Global and a writer for the Economist.

Build the bike trail on Summit

Regarding the Summit Avenue Regional Trail, opponents have given a variety of reasons not to build a bike/pedestrian way:

1. It’s not needed (you’re safer biking in the street).

2. Hundreds (thousands?) of trees will be cut down because of the trail.

3. The current bike/pedestrian trails aren’t used enough.

4. The city can’t afford the trail.

5. For reasons of historic preservation, the trail should be nixed.

6. Planners violated data practices requirements.

7. Residents should be compensated for the loss of street parking in front of their homes.

The list goes on, and I’m sure I’ve missed a few excuses raised by opponents.

Current dedicated bike/pedestrian trails in St. Paul tend to run near the perimeter of the city, making it difficult and often unsafe to try to go north-south or east-west through the city by bike. St. Paul needs more and better bike/pedestrian trails to address this issue.

I’m guessing that the number of trees that trail opponents claim will be cut down is greatly exaggerated. As a far as saving trees is concerned, a gauge on my e-bike says that in the 2,500 miles I’ve pedaled on that bike, I’ve saved exactly 32 trees. Multiply that number by a factor of hundreds, and you can see that bicyclists have saved more trees than will ever be removed when the Summit Avenue Regional Trail is completed. By the way, maples and river birch, among other species, are fast growing trees that provide great beauty and shade. I learned that in forestry school.

In the name of historic preservation, why not return Summit Avenue to the way it was when it was when homes were first built there in the 19th century? That would mean no cars and no stoplights. Streets, curbs and gutters would need to be torn up and replaced with a dirt road. Perhaps a few gas lights and electric street lamps would light up the night. Horse and buggies would be the only vehicles allowed.

The claim that few bicyclists use Summit Avenue is pure malarkey, and so is the notion that you’re better off biking in the street. More cyclists would bike on Summit if a safe bike/pedestrian trail were put in. Nevertheless, Summit Avenue is often very busy with cyclists. I know of a couple who, until last year, lived on Summit near the intersection with Ramsey Hill. Avid bicyclists, they almost never used the current Summit Avenue bikeway near their home because they felt it was unsafe. My senior citizen bicycling club occasionally bikes on Summit Avenue, but it’s definitely not our favorite route in the metro area. We would bike it more often if there was a better bike/pedestrian trail.

With all of the students at nearby colleges and universities, the city should really be trying to accommodate them. An improved bikeway along Summit would better meet their needs.

As far as affordability is concerned, if motorists paid their fare share for the cost of building, maintaining, plowing and policing public roadways, cost would not be an issue.

As far as compensating residents for the loss of on-street parking. Those streets do not belong to you. They belong to the city. You can’t get reimbursed for the loss of something that you never owned in the first place.

I grew up in St. Paul. It was a wonderful place to come of age. It’s a very progressive city, for the most part. However, there has always been a reactionary attitude among many of its citizens, as exhibited in the city’s inferiority-complex regarding Minneapolis (pssst, the city across the river has better bikeways!). A much needed improvement to St. Paul’s infrastructure is being held back by a lack of forward thinking. It’s time to build the Summit Avenue Regional Trail.

M.L. Kluznik, Mendota Heights

 

Worried about hacking? Conventional precautions work

I was very disappointed by the Pioneer Press’s uncritical interview of Jacob Trippel on Aug. 1, on the front page. Among other issues, Trippel hypes AI and quantum computing and makes outdated recommendations about security.

This should perhaps be unsurprising: Trippel’s background is primarily in business and education, not software development or security. His LinkedIn lists him as the CTO of an AI-related startup, giving him ample incentive to emphasize the hype around AI.

To correct the most egregious statements:

Frequent password changes are counterproductive, leading people to forget them; to use short, simple passwords that are easily broken; and to reuse them across services. Lengthy passwords, infrequently changed, never reused and securely stored in a password manager, are a far superior approach.

More generally, access security is best accomplished by using a combination of three methods: something you are (biometrics, face or fingerprint); something you know (password); something you have (phone, physical key). Strong security relies on at least two of these. Using biometrics alone is foolhardy; if data is stored and compromised, it’s much easier to change your password than your face. If you are concerned about security, get a hardware authentication device for two-factor authentication.

While vulnerabilities are a problem, most hacks come through social engineering: phishing and scams routed through normal phone calls and email. Keep your software up-to-date, use multi-factor authentication, and be wary of unfamiliar callers. That will cover most ordinary threats.

Quantum computing is far from ready for any practical applications. Therefore, quantum hacking is even less likely than being hacked by a nation-state actor with conventional computers. Unless you have reason to be a high-profile target, you should worry more about social engineering.

Quantum computing is not magic; neither is AI. Current “AI” is a marketing label for a specific flavor of the banal machine learning I’ve been working in for a decade. AI has applications – many of which are not yet realized.

In short, you’ll likely be fine with conventional precautions – and ignoring the hype.

Rachel Reddick, St. Paul

 

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Felonious sandwich-flinging

I was first attracted by the headline, “Man charged with assault with a sandwich.” I thought, now that’s intriguing. Apparently the influx of Donald Trump’s police distraction into Washington, D.C., irritated one of the locals so much that he felt compelled to yell “fascists” at Customs and Border Protection officers. Not that they were fascists or agents of a fascist or just guys trying to do a job, didn’t dissuade him from repeatedly hurling this accusation, until such time as his frustration compelled him to hurl something else. The “else”, conveniently at hand, was a recently purchased sub type sandwich, which he directed, with an accurate overhand throw, to the chest of the source of his irritation. It was reported that the officer, who was the target of this edible missile, did not appear injured. He was truly fortunate, as who knows what damage a hard-crust ciabatta, might have done.

The cost for this wayward expression of political frustration, other than the $15 or so for the sandwich, is a felony charge. A Footlong Felony no doubt.

Bob Emery, Mendota Heights

 

But how are we doing today?

On Aug. 14, a total of eight letters to the editor appeared here, each of them bad-mouthing Trump. I would inquire, how is the border today, how are consumer prices, the stock market, foreign trade, arrests of illegals, positive military action and billions of fraudulent dollars eliminated?

Crafting eight letters bad-mouthing goofy Gov. Walz would take anyone conscious about eight minutes.

Jon Swenson, Eagan

 

Can’t afford to become numb or passive

History teaches that democracy rarely collapses all at once — it erodes when citizens grow weary and leaders weaponize chaos. We are seeing this now, in real time. Donald Trump, now back in the White House, is not leading with vision or unity. He is ruling by grievance, fear and retribution.

His tactics are dangerously familiar: overwhelm the public with lies, discredit institutions and accuse others of the very wrongs he commits. Those who challenge him face a flood of attacks, investigations or public shaming. This is not normal. It is a calculated effort to weaken resistance and consolidate unchecked power.

We cannot afford to become numb or passive. The longer we tolerate this assault on truth and democratic norms, the more fragile our republic becomes.

We need leadership grounded in integrity, humility and service to the common good — not one man’s ego or vendettas. If we care about the future of this country, now is the time to speak, act, and choose differently.

Jane White Schneeweis, Mahtomedi

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Today is Sunday, Aug. 17, the 229th day of 2025. There are 136 days left in the year.

Today in history:

On August 17, 1915, a mob in Cobb County, Georgia, lynched Jewish businessman Leo Frank, 31, whose death sentence for the murder of 13-year-old Mary Phagan had been commuted to life imprisonment. (Frank, who had maintained his innocence, was pardoned by the state of Georgia in 1986.)

Also on this date:

In 1807, Robert Fulton’s North River Steamboat made its first voyage, heading up the Hudson River on a successful round trip between New York City and Albany.

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Hundreds may have been exposed to rabies at bat-infested cabins in Grand Teton National Park

In 1863, federal batteries and ships began bombarding Fort Sumter in Charleston harbor during the Civil War, but the Confederates managed to hold on despite several days of shelling.

In 1945, Sukarno and Mohammad Hatta proclaimed independence for Indonesia, setting off the Indonesian National Revolution against Dutch rule.

In 1945, the George Orwell novel “Animal Farm,” an allegorical satire of Soviet Communism, was first published in London by Martin Secker & Warburg.

In 1959, trumpeter Miles Davis released “Kind of Blue,” regarded as one of the most influential jazz albums of all time.

In 1978, the first successful trans-Atlantic balloon flight ended as Maxie Anderson, Ben Abruzzo and Larry Newman landed their Double Eagle II outside Paris.

In 1988, Pakistani President Mohammad Zia ul-Haq and U.S. Ambassador Arnold Raphel (RAY’-fehl) were killed in a mysterious plane crash.

In 1998, President Bill Clinton gave grand jury testimony via closed-circuit television from the White House concerning his relationship with Monica Lewinsky; he then delivered a TV address in which he admitted his relationship with Lewinsky was “wrong” but denied previously committing perjury (Clinton was subsequently impeached by the House of Representatives, but acquitted in the Senate).

In 1999, more than 17,000 people were killed when a magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck the Kocaeli Province of Turkey.

Today’s Birthdays:

Computer scientist Margaret Hamilton is 89.
Actor Robert DeNiro is 82.
Businessman Larry Ellison is 81.
Film director Martha Coolidge is 79.
Filmmaker/author Julian Fellowes is 76.
Tennis Hall of Famer Guillermo Vilas is 73.
Singer Belinda Carlisle is 67.
Author Jonathan Franzen is 66.
Actor Sean Penn is 65.
Singer/actor Donnie Wahlberg is 56.
College Basketball Hall of Famer and retired NBA All-Star Christian Laettner is 56.
Rapper Posdnuos (PAHS’-deh-noos) (De La Soul) is 56.
Tennis Hall of Famer Jim Courier is 55.
Soccer great Thierry Henry is 48.
Rock climber Alex Honnold is 40.
Actor Austin Butler is 34.
Singer-songwriter Phoebe Bridgers is 31.