•••Kendall Qualls' recent commentary ("Minnesota needs a comeback story," Strib Voices, July 28) includes this damning conclusion: Minnesota has "hit rock bottom." However, calling Minnesota a state that has hit rock bottom is something entirely different. Minnesota remains one of the nation's leaders in household income, educational attainment, labor-force participation, health outcomes and child well-being. Public safety deserves an honest discussion that's more nuanced than either party likes to portray. Yet statewide violent crime has fallen significantly from its 2021 peak, and its violent crime rate remains below the national average.