In the conversation about our schools not producing enough smart kids, I mentioned Stanford economist Eric Hanushek's contention that per-pupil spending doesn't correlate with educational outcomes. Former Madison Superintendent John Sweet challenges this contention, suggesting we look at spending in…
Madville Times
I was going to leave this alone, but some Republicans just can't win with class. The Thune campaign successfully backed sock puppet Kristi Noem against Congresswoman Stephanie Herseth Sandlin. They got someone nice and Palin-y in the chute to run…
I'm reading the latest Plains Justice report on the proposed Keystone XL oil pipeline and its threat to the land and water of the Northern Plains. The report includes this alarming timeline of the big Enbridge pipeline spill in the…
Senator John Thune joined 24 fellow Republicans yesterday to vote against S. 510, the Food Safety Modernization Act. The New York Times maps the Senate votes: U.S. Senate vote on S. 510, the Food Safety Modernization Act, 2010.11.30.Source: New York…
For lunch, I stepped out of the office and chopped a hole in the lake. Punching holes in Lake Herman: another guy compulsion About twenty feet from shore, the ice on lovely Lake Herman was a whole hand thick, at…
My well-read wife hands me this report from The Atlantic that includes data on how South Dakota students compare with their U.S. and international counterparts in posting high scores on standardized tests. The good news: South Dakota has more kids…
Remember that new gym proposal Madison voters turned down back in 2007? Recall the plans for that building: 2007 New Gym Site Plan (click to enlarge) 2007 New Gym Floor Plan (click to enlarge) The new gym proposed in 2007…
Opposition is rising to the TransCanada Keystone XL pipeline in Nebraska, and it's prettyhard to dismiss these folks as "extreme environmentalists." U.S. Senator Mike Johanns has demanded more information and a different route for the pipeline to protect the sensitive…