More money?

On Nov. 4 many of us are going to vote yes or no to our proposed school referendums. I don’t have the answer for you, but after teaching 40 years, 15 in private and 25 years in public high schools, I have some thoughts.

1. Children learn because parents have taken the time from age 3/4 through 4th or 5th grade to foster an ability and love of reading, and basic math skills. This is done on a regular almost daily basis; not every couple of weeks.

2. As a student is in middle and high school their peer group is very important.  Parents should monitor their child’s peer group.

If there is little or no push/help from home to improve student performance more money may or may not be the answer.

John Heller, North St. Paul

 

There are uses more special than this

President Trump has decided that the White House needs a ballroom addition. The dining area of the White House is indeed small.

But why can’t the president use another government building for gathering? Why spend $250,000,000 on a “special”-use-only addition?

How many units of housing and treatment centers for this country’s disabled and homeless veterans could the government build for $250,000,000? Even if the money is being donated by private parties, this seems to me to another special interest waste.

Tom Mullaney, Woodbury

 

Great memories of Mr. Mauer and the ‘boys’

As a Humboldt High School student during Ken Mauer Sr.’s tenure as football coach, I vividly remember his young sons along the sidelines during games. I was lucky to see a couple of those city championships under Mr. Mauer and be a cheerleader in the late 1960s. We always knew the “Mauer boys” would be there running around and throwing the ball back and forth. The article (“Nearing the end of their career, officiating is still a Mauer family affair”) brought back great memories of Mr. Mauer, St. Paul football games at Central High field, and the wonder of crisp fall evenings cheering on our team.

The story also reminded me exactly how old I am now that those “boys” are now in their late 60s!

Thanks for a great story.

Janet Grieder, Maple Grove

 

Third grade is too early

We have a vote on Nov. 4 in many of our districts, to increase our property taxes to give more money to schools. I believe it would be best if we start scaling back all the added programs that since implemented our children’s education has declined.

Minnesota ELA Standards Review Committee has added a new program for us to spend money on beginning in the 2025-26 school year

Minnesota ELA Standards Review Committee updates to the English Language Arts standards, specifically benchmark 3.2.1.3, which introduces the use of male, female and non-binary gender pronouns in third grade writing instruction.

While I understand the importance of inclusivity and representation, this is not age-appropriate; how could you possibly teach this without bringing up the sexual nature of why we use pronouns? Many of our children are currently struggling to meet basic literacy benchmarks — reading and writing at grade level remains a significant challenge for a large portion of students across the state. Introducing complex and often controversial language concepts at such an early stage may further burden students who are still developing foundational skills.

Additionally, public education serves families from a wide range of cultural, religious and philosophical backgrounds. When curriculum content touches on deeply personal and value-based topics — such as gender identity — it is essential that schools remain neutral and respectful of the diverse beliefs held by families. Matters that may conflict with a family’s values should be left to parents to address at home, not mandated in public classrooms.

I am deeply concerned that introducing such topics prematurely may contribute to confusion, anxiety and emotional stress among young learners. Our shared goal should be to foster a safe, supportive and academically focused environment for all students.

Karla J. Nelson, Maplewood

 

Lacking leadership

We have two excellent mayoral candidates in Yan Chen and Kaohly Her. I’ve had extended conversations with both regarding transit and development in our City of Saint Paul. Their ideas are thought through, and I particularly like their emphasis on community engagement, particularly with District Councils, and financial responsibility.

I oppose Melvin Carter for many reasons. He’s been mayor for seven-plus years and lacking in leadership and has basically been invisible in neighborhoods of our city. The disintegration of downtown didn’t happen overnight with the death of a major developer, Jim Crockarell. The funding of St. Paul’s government has now shifted to residential property taxes with diminished property values in downtown. We now have the (regional) FCC garbage truck facility on the Mississippi River bluff that will pay significantly less in property taxes than if it were developed residential.

When I attended the town hall at the Highland Park Community Center on Oct. 15 for a vision for the Mississippi River co-sponsored by Friends of the Mississippi River, St. Paul Bird Alliance, Highland District Council, West 7th/Fort Road Federation, West Side Community Organization, his lengthy and wandering responses to most questions centered on the rights of property owners and ignored the question asked. He has done nothing about riverside development for seven years other than outlining how St. Paul’s vision has lagged behind other urban centers nationally. At this writing we don’t even have lights along Shepard Road.

Last week I read that there will only be cosmetic enhancements to West Seventh Street/Highway 5 due to Commissioner Ortega’s withdrawal and reallocation of county funding, the Minnesota Department of Transportation’s lack of priority, and Met Council’s competing bus-rapid-transit interests. And to the lack of leadership (vision?) on the part of the City of Saint Paul. Add to that Ortega’s anger since we defeated his pet project of streetcars.

Jos. F. Landsberger, St. Paul

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Today is Sunday, Oct. 26, the 299th day of 2025. There are 66 days left in the year.

Today in history:

On October 26,1984, “Baby Fae,” a newborn with a severe heart defect, was given the heart of a baboon in an experimental transplant in Loma Linda, California. (She lived 21 days with the animal heart.)

Also on this date:

In 1774, the First Continental Congress adjourned in Philadelphia.

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In 1881, four lawmen, including Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday, exchanged gunfire with five outlaws, killing three of them, in the “Shootout at the O.K. Corral” in Tombstone, Arizona.

In 1825, the Erie Canal opened in upstate New York, connecting Lake Erie and the Hudson River.

In 1861, the legendary Pony Express officially ceased operations, giving way to the transcontinental telegraph. (The last run of the Pony Express was completed the following month.)

In 1979, South Korean President Park Chung-hee was shot to death by the head of the Korean Central Intelligence Agency, Kim Jae-kyu.

In 2000, the New York Yankees became the first team in more than a quarter-century to win three straight World Series championships, beating the New York Mets in Game 5 of their “Subway Series.”

In 2001, President George W. Bush signed the USA Patriot Act, giving authorities unprecedented ability to search, seize, detain or eavesdrop in their pursuit of possible terrorists.

In 2002, a hostage siege by Chechen rebels at a Moscow theater ended with 129 of the 800-plus captives dead, most from a knockout gas used by Russian special forces who stormed the theater; 41 rebels also died.

In 2020, Amy Coney Barrett was confirmed to the Supreme Court by a deeply divided Senate, installing President Donald Trump’s nominee days before the U.S. general election.

In 2024, Israel launched predawn airstrikes against military targets in Iran in retaliation for a barrage of ballistic missiles the Islamic Republic fired on Israel on Oct. 1. It was the first time Israel’s military had openly attacked Iran.

Today’s Birthdays:

Musician Milton Nascimento is 83.
Actor Jaclyn Smith is 80.
TV host Pat Sajak is 79.
Politician, diplomat and former first lady Hillary Rodham Clinton is 78.
Musician Bootsy Collins is 74.
Artist and filmmaker Julian Schnabel is 74.
Actor James Pickens Jr. is 71.
Actor-singer Rita Wilson is 69.
Actor Dylan McDermott is 64.
Actor Cary Elwes is 63.
Singer Natalie Merchant is 62.
Country singer Keith Urban is 58.
Actor Tom Cavanagh is 62.
Writer-producer Seth MacFarlane (TV: “Family Guy”) is 52.
Actor Florence Kasumba is 49.
Actor Jon Heder is 48.
Actor Folake Olowofoyeku (foh-LAH’-kay oh-low-wow-foh-YAY’-koo) is 42.
Rapper Schoolboy Q is 39.

Police are investigating an attempted carjacking that led to gunfire Friday night in the North End neighborhood of St. Paul.

Shortly before 8:15 p.m. Friday, a woman arrived at Regions Hospital with a non-life-threatening gunshot injury to her hand, according to Nikki Muehlhausen, a St. Paul police spokesperson.

The woman stated that she and her boyfriend went to the 100 block of Atwater Street in St. Paul for a Facebook Marketplace transaction with an unknown man. During their interaction, the man attempted to carjack the couple and began shooting at the vehicle, resulting in the woman being injured.

Officers responded to the 100 block of Atwater to establish a crime scene and look for the suspect and potential witnesses. The suspect has not been located as of Saturday night, and it is an ongoing and active investigation, according to Muehlhausen.

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DULUTH — Minnesota Duluth junior goaltender Eve Gascon was back in the Bulldogs’ crease Saturday less than 24 hours after being helped off the ice of Amsoil Arena with an apparent shoulder injury.

One of four goaltenders competing to be on Canada’s 2026 Olympic women’s hockey team, Gascon made 28 saves in her return, but it wasn’t enough for No. 4 UMD in a 3-2 loss to No. 3 Minnesota in Duluth.

Gascon left Friday’s 4-0 loss early in the second period after diving and reaching back for a puck that had gotten by her and across the crease. The Bulldogs’ All-American goaltender had her shoulder looked at before being helped off the ice and into the locker room.

Gascon made 16 saves on 18 shots before being replaced on Friday by freshman Sophia Villanueva, who also made 16 saves on 18 shots in her college debut.

Bulldogs coach Laura Schuler said Saturday that Gascon was pulled from Friday’s game as a precaution, and that evaluations Friday night and Saturday morning proved Gascon was 100% ready to return for Saturday’s game.

“She wanted to play,” Schuler said. “When you have a world-class goalie like that who wants to be in the net, you give them that opportunity. I thought she was outstanding for us today.”

Sophomore center Caitlin Kraemer and sophomore wing Josie St. Martin scored for UMD on Saturday, with Kraemer giving the Bulldogs a 1-0 lead 7:55 into the second period. St. Martin, a transfer from Ohio State, pulled UMD within a goal via an extra attacker power play goal with 3:56 left in the game.

“A great back and forth game,” Schuler said. “I was proud of our girls at the end when we went for it on the 6-on-4. I thought they did a fantastic job of being able to put one away for us, and unfortunately, the time just kind of ran out.”

Fifth-year senior captain Abbey Murphy scored two goals for the Gophers while senior forward Josefin Bouveng got the goal that tied the game at 1-1 just 3:26 after Kraemer gave UMD the 1-0 lead.

Minnesota sophomore goaltender Hannah Clark made 37 saves on 39 shots, including 17 saves in the third period.

The Bulldogs have not beaten the Gophers since knocking them off in the 2022 NCAA regional final at Ridder Arena in Minneapolis en route to the Frozen Four and NCAA championship game. UMD is 0-14-1 since then and has lost seven straight.

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