Author: Commentary

NAMI’s Victor Molina underscores the importance of culturally specific mental health professionals in addressing disparities affecting Black communities.

In this opinion piece, Jody Ward-Rannow scrutinizes ongoing disputes in Eden Prairie teacher contract negotiations, highlighting key issues like safety, class size, and prep time.

By Jenna Ray Every November, Minnesotans come together to support the causes that make our state a great place to call home. Give to the Max Day, Minnesota’s annual giving holiday, is celebrating 15 years on Thursday, Nov. 16. We can’t wait to share it with you. And while Give to the Max raises millions of dollars for nonprofits and schools each year, it’s much more than a fundraising campaign: it’s a reminder that when we come together to support the causes we love, we can do millions of dollars worth of good together — $10, $50, and $100 at…

Editor’s note: This commentary explores AI, and it’s worth noting that the upcoming town hall event, “AI: Hype, Harm, or Hope?'” hosted by Eden Prairie Local News (EPLN) and the Eden Prairie Chamber of Commerce, will also delve into AI. The event, featuring experts discussing AI’s societal impacts, will take place from 5 to 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 26, at the Performing Arts Center in Eden Prairie Central Middle School, located at 8025 Old School Road. You can register for the event here. By Brad Canham If you could go back in time, what would you say to the…

Editor’s note: This commentary explores AI, and it’s worth noting that the upcoming town hall event, “AI: Hype, Harm, or Hope?'” hosted by Eden Prairie Local News (EPLN) and the Eden Prairie Chamber of Commerce, will also delve into AI. The event, featuring experts discussing AI’s societal impacts, will take place from 5 to 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 26, at the Performing Arts Center in Eden Prairie Central Middle School, located at 8025 Old School Road. You can register for the event here. By Brad Canham The Applied Intelligence Live conference in Austin, Texas, held in September 2023, was…

Editor’s note: In this commentary, Denise Beusen, a 13-year resident of Heritage Townhomes in Eden Prairie, writes about a proposed development that would neighbor her community. In recent years, the Metropolitan Council has made increasing housing density in the Twin Cities a priority, driven in part by environmental considerations and a shortage of housing. Eden Prairie has responded with several infill projects, including, most recently, a proposal for a townhome community at the southeast corner of Dell Road and Pioneer Trail. As reported by Eden Prairie Local News, the proposal was (recommended for approval to the Eden Prairie City Council)…

The following was written by Eden Prairie Mayor Ron Case. It originally appeared earlier today, March 24, on the city’s website. Earlier this month, Eden Prairie homeowners began receiving their 2022 valuation notices, which include the assessed values of their properties as determined by the yearly assessment process. As noted in a recent communication from the City, the valuation notices for most homeowners indicated significant increases in home values over the past year. I am writing today to clarify the parameters around the assessment process, to note how the value increases are not tied to the City’s budget, and to outline…

By State Sen. Steve Cwodzinski On March 4, I got the chance to speak with nine classes of students at Eden Prairie High School, and I could not have been more impressed by the young people I spoke with. Four classes were AP Government, four were AP U.S. History, and one was a class on social justice. The students were attentive and inquisitive and showed how these past two years had affected their lives. Three things stood out to me that I would like to share. Firstly, not one student had a phone out during the entire eight hours I…

By Tori Hill As we reflect on Black History Month, we must remember the many shoulders that supported us over the centuries. In this moment, one phenomenal woman, wife, mother, doctor, mayor, and pioneer comes to mind.  She lived, impacted and served our Eden Prairie community for over 20 years. We celebrate and honor this amazing, profound, and legendary African American woman named Dr. Jean L. Harris. Dr. Harris was Eden Prairie’s first female mayor and its first African American mayor. Elected in 1995, she was in office until her death in December 2001. Harris also served on the Eden…