Free Republic

We live in challenging times. Unemployment remains high, and the U.S. lead in technology and science is slipping as many foreign countries gain ground. But some U.S. cities, though slowed by the Great Recession, still thrive by lifting good old American innovation to new levels. And that will help put more Americans back to work and keep our international edge.

Minneapolis-St. Paul is a "cosmopolitan gem," according to a new ranking by Kiplinger's Personal Finance magazine. Granted, "the winter weather isn't for wusses," Kiplinger's June issue reports, but the seven-county Twin Cities area has so many good things to brag about: cost of living and housing, quality health care, low crime rate, education, quality of life, cultural amenities, the economy and transportation. St. Paul doesn't get short shrift either in the write-up: The Ordway Center for the Performing Arts and St. Paul Chamber Orchestra are mentioned, among other pluses. Minneapolis is described as "progressive and hip, with a Midwestern sensibility."...

Cheyenne is least taxing city - magazine Actually, Cheyenne is second to Casper for least-taxed city in the nation, but the Capital City topped Kiplinger's list because it's Wyoming's most populous. By Jessica Lowell rep5@wyomingnews.com Published in the Wyoming Tribune-Eagle CHEYENNE - The magazine won't even hit the stands until next week, but when it does, Kiplinger's will bear the news that Cheyenne is the least-taxed city in the nation. Taxes paid by a family of four here - $2,200 - are less than one-fifth the taxes paid in Bridgeport, Conn., the city that ranks at the bottom of the...