Hello,

How pumped are we that Grand Rapids is back in the state hockey tournament for the first time since 2017?! You probably already know this, but Grand Rapids – the only northern Minnesota team in the tournament this year – plays White Bear Lake in the 8 p.m. game on Thursday night. I will definitely be there.

It has been a hell of a season. GR played a tough schedule and battled to a wild double OT win in the 7AA title game against Andover – a team that had bounced GR in the section tournament each of the last three years. Getting over that hump was huge, but I’m looking forward to seeing what they can do in the tournament. With their depth and their defensive style, they could be tough company.

I don’t think I need to remind you what happened the last time Grand Rapids made the state tournament. Bring it home boys!

Let Minnesotans have a voice in the state flag discussion

I have been getting a lot of emails on the new flag. My position is simple: Minnesotans need to have a say in this process. Unfortunately, that has not happened. Instead, we got an unelected, undemocratic commission of 13 people who chose designs themselves without accepting public feedback. At times, the commission even willfully disregarded attempts by Senator Steve Drazkowski, a non-voting member of the commission, to consider designs that were popular with the general public.

House and Senate Republicans are introducing several new bills that will address these issues in various ways, but they center on allowing Minnesotans to vote on the new flag and seal designs. Our top priority is to finally give you a chance to be heard. You should have been included from the start, and now we have to make it right.

We must push for an open and transparent process. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask.

Have a great weekend, and go Thunderhawks!