Author: Jim Fuglie

Some things you just take for granted. Like opposable thumbs. When you lose the use of one (temporarily, I hope), you realize what a great invention they are. Here’s the rest of the story. I got a new recliner a couple weeks ago, replacing a ten-year-old one that had served its duty. It was host … Continue reading Thumbs, Knives, And Recliners

In a surprising twist of fortune—or misfortune, I suppose, depending on your point of view—the company hired by Meridian Energy Group to design and build its oil refinery beside Theodore Roosevelt National Park is likely to file bankruptcy this week. Bloomberg reported over the weekend “McDermott International Inc. is preparing to file for bankruptcy as … Continue reading Birds Of A Feather . . .

Last month I began reporting on the apparent financial troubles besetting Meridian Energy Group, the company planning to build an oil refinery near the boundary of Theodore Roosevelt National Park in the North Dakota Bad Lands. Since then I’ve received more information on the company which I feel holds much merit and credit. I’m going … Continue reading Enter The Whistleblowers

In his regular Tuesday morning column in the Grand Forks Herald this week, Mike Jacobs wrote, “This is the last day of a year that’s made just about everybody uneasy about the state of our politics. To use a flood analogy, it seems as if the waters have divided and are rushing down parallel ditches. … Continue reading Some Thoughts On Election Reform In 2020

I want to add a couple things to the Little Missouri River Crossing story I posted here yesterday. First Note: A little history, which you can read more fully by clicking on the link at the end of this note. I really didn’t become aware of the serious problems with this project until I attended … Continue reading A Couple More Notes On The “Bridge To Nowhere”

Well, here’s some good news. Six months ago Billings County and the Federal Highway Administration signed a record of decision to proceed with a new bridge over the Little Missouri State Scenic River north of Medora, a bridge famously referred to as a “Bridge to Nowhere” because it has no apparent purpose other than to … Continue reading Short Family To Government: We’ll See You In Court

Sunday morning addendum #1: Lillian and I went to a Christmas party last night. I drank some wine. We came home and I drank some more wine and stayed up late and watched Saturday Night Live. I woke up this morning at 5:59. I rolled over and went back to sleep and got up at … Continue reading “I Rise With The Sun” – Okay, Never Mind

As we approach this most joyous time of year, a time of giving, of good will, of caring for our fellow humans, especially those among us with the least of resources, I want to share the words of Dan Rather which I put in this space a couple of years ago. I’ll do that in … Continue reading I See America

From this: To this, in just one week: I'm pretty sure that is the biggest headline ever in the Adams County Record. And well it should be. Just a week after the paper announced on November 29,  "This is the final issue of the Adams County Record," because its corporate owner was shutting it down, … Continue reading “Reports of my death have been greatly exaggerated”

A note from Lillian and Jim on this sad day. Our hearts are broken today as we have had to say goodbye to our beloved Lizzie, our adorable Springer Spaniel, on this sad, dark day. We pause to write this homage to her and to give thanks for all the joy she brought to our … Continue reading Good-bye, Lizzie.