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Sharon Schmickle

Sharon Schmickle is an award-winning journalist with 30 years of experience covering local, national and international news. Through 2007, Sharon was a reporter for the Minneapolis Star Tribune where her beats included the Washington Bureau during the 1990s and covering wars in Iraq and Afghanistan during the 2000s. She has reported from 25 countries on stories ranging from a tsunami in Thailand to restless youth in Egypt to an agricultural crisis in Kenya. As a MinnPost writer, she has covered science, politics, government and international news. She also has provided in-depth analysis of issues through a series of profiles.

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Politics & Policy

Hot scientific research to watch in 2008

By Sharon Schmickle | 01/03/08
Hot spots for potential scientific breakthroughs in 2008 include research that literally sheds light on mysteries of the brain. If that doesn't tickle your imagination, how about the Neandertal genome? Bio-fuels made by fake bacteria?
Politics & Policy

With the stakes high in Pakistan, U.S. policy must avoid past errors

By Sharon Schmickle | 01/03/08
Pakistan always has been a confusing mix of ethnic, religious, regional and economic interests.
Politics & Policy

A media case study: How the St. Thomas decision on Tutu made worldwide headlines

By Sharon Schmickle | 01/02/08
Despite widespread opposition to the Iraq war, peace groups have scored little in the way of media hits in recent years. Reporters rarely cover their vigils and call them only occasionally when news events tumble their way.
Politics & Policy

Here's hoping... for Charles Darwin's spirit

By Sharon Schmickle | 12/27/07
Of course, Charles Darwin can't come back to life.
Politics & Policy

As Congress struggles to limit torture, experts say harsh interrogation tactics don't work

By Sharon Schmickle | 12/20/07
By Sharon Schmickle | Thursday, Dec. 20, 2007 Congress is trying to bar the Central Intelligence Agency from using waterboarding and other harsh interrogation tactics that many argue are torture.
Politics & Policy

The case of Abu Zubaydah: How valuable was his information?

By Sharon Schmickle | 12/20/07
By Sharon Schmickle | Thursday, Dec.
Politics & Policy

Minneapolis lawyers await Supreme Court decision in Guantanamo case

By Sharon Schmickle | 12/06/07
As the U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments Wednesday over the rights of detainees at Guantanamo Bay, Minneapolis attorneys were preparing to travel to the U.S. facility in Cuba for their fifth visit with an Algerian man they represent.
Politics & Policy

What would a Nobel scientist ask the Senate candidates?

By Sharon Schmickle | 12/04/07
Minnesotans could have taken a potent dose of science along with their politics had Nobel Laureate Peter Agre run for a U.S. Senate seat in the state this year.
Politics & Policy

Iraqi refugees face a crisis -- but where will they go?

By Sharon Schmickle | 11/30/07
By Sharon Schmickle | Friday, Nov. 30, 2007 An estimated 4.7 million Iraqis have fled their homes, about half leaving the country since the start of the Iraq war in 2003. Now Rep.
Politics & Policy

Research questions remain following stem-cell breakthrough

By Sharon Schmickle | 11/29/07
Superlatives reigned last week as scientists and political activists celebrated a breakthrough that could end America's pitched battle over stem cells taken from human embryos. Not so fast, experts in the field are cautioning this week as they laun