Center events, initiatives, and policy work Fraud findings On June 8, the U.S. House of Representatives Oversight Committee released a comprehensive report on fraud in Minnesota. The report cites American…
On the occasion of President Roosevelt’s presidential library As the nation celebrates its 250th anniversary this year, it may surprise many to learn that North Dakota has deep historical presidential…
Another nonsensical death in Minneapolis Minneapolis’s auto theft problem reached a new depth with the death of 38-year-old Amos Ferrier. Ferrier was seriously injured on Friday afternoon, May 16, when…
One reason why childcare costs are high and providers earn so little On average, it costs at least $20,000 a year to keep an infant at a licensed childcare center…
Don’t know much about history I enjoyed reading the column on the importance of Midwest history [“Preserving the Midwest,” Spring 2026]. It is unfortunate that it is not part of…
What a flag says about our state Flags have long been among humanity’s most potent symbols. While they may have little practical utility, their symbolic importance can make them subjects…
Nothing announces summer in Minnesota like the roar of a classic car The Classic Car Show in downtown Hastings, Minn., is a summer tradition, and one every snow-and-sub-zero-bound Minnesotan looks…
We are always only one generation away from extinction Ronald Reagan gave his inaugural address upon being elected as California’s governor on Jan. 5, 1967. In that speech, he delivered…
Minnesota is once again administering a summer meal program that was exploited in the biggest fraud case connected to federal child nutrition programs. The Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) recently…
Both Minnesota and Texas are in the process of implementing new social studies standards that brought backlash for their politicized origin, alleged instructional bias, and sweeping changes. Besides the fact…
Historical approach to mental illness and chemical dependency Up through the 1960s, Minnesota, like much of the nation, had developed a significant state hospital structure where some 16,000 patients were…
Becker teachers are flexing their collective muscle against subpar union representation During the spring of 2025, teachers in Becker, Minn., did something that is almost unheard of in Minnesota public…
Navigating adolescent development in a digital age Not too long ago, children slipped out of their homes after school to run toward treehouses, sandlots, creeks, and parks. Children spent their…
Politics, partisanship, and think tanks in a non-neutral American landscape In 2024, Gallup found that the percentage of Americans self-identifying as politically moderate hit 34 percent, matching previous lows and…
Revealing what Minnesota’s education standards are really teaching Editor’s note: This is reprinted from The Minnesota Star Tribune commentary section dated March 16, 2026. In recent months, the nation’s eyes…
Local Government Aid needs to go I’ve been a local elected official in two different cities for over 14 years. Serving as a councilman for the city of Bethel and…
Join Opportunity for All Kids and Center of the American Experiment for the second annual 7k for Kids Fun Run on Saturday, October 11th in Plymouth. There will be a…
Minnesota’s fraud problem made national headlines as criminals took advantage of our state’s generous welfare programs and lax oversight to steal billions of taxpayer dollars. Join American Experiment’s fraud expert…
As part of American Experiment’s Minnesota School Board Toolkit, this video walks through how to access reading and math proficiency results for a school or district.
Amidst mounting frustration with the state and national teachers’ union, a small group of teachers in Becker, Minnesota decided to try something different. They successfully petitioned the state to call…