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To the U.S. Mint and the Bush administration for yet another attempted executive-branch power grab.

Article 2, Section 8 of the Constitution explicitly gives Congress the power “to coin Money (and) regulate the value thereof.” Legislation that passed the House Thursday that would change the metallic composition of the penny and nickel — a measure intended to make it cheaper to make those small-denomination coins — is being opposed by the White House in part because it only allows the Treasury Department to suggest a specific composition rather than make the decision on its own.

The measure thus reserves to Congress a power the Constitution allots to Congress. The administration should live with that fact.

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Recreation site shows foresight

To the volunteers, groups and government agencies behind the formation of the Blue Earth River State Aquatic Management Area near Winnebago.

The 294-acre site aquatic area was recently opened to the public. Recreational uses include fishing, bird watching, wildlife viewing, hiking and hunting.

The farm was purchased for $300,000 four years ago through the collaborative efforts of the Lura Lake Association, the Department of Natural Resources, the Faribault County Chapter of Pheasants Forever, local deer hunting groups with matching funds from the Reinvest in Minnesota Program as well as money from the North American Wetlands Conservation Act.

It’s refreshing to see so many groups work together to make a project like this happen that will benefit area residents and their children for years to come.

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Miley Cyrus' achy-barey back

To the loss of innocence, or the perceived loss of it, anyway.