Off and running to their careers

THUMBS UP:

Congratulations to the 2019 Southwest Minnesota State University graduates who participated in Saturday’s commencement. Outgoing SMSU president Connie Gores told the graduates during the ceremony this was “the start of something new,” for them. Soon they will be pursuing their dreams in the working field, joining the ranks of successful Mustang alumni.

Always a Mustang.

You can’t always get what you want

THUMBS SIDEWAYS:

With the end of the 2019 session on Monday, the Minnesota Legislature and Gov. Tim Walz are cutting it real close to finalize the state budget. Last Monday was the last time either side volunteered comments on what kind of progress was being made. At that time, reports said Democrats and Republicans were $1.6 billion apart on a two-year budget. Negotiators were up to 1 a.m. Thursday morning in holding talks. But no announcements were made. Some concessions from both sides are needed to avoid a special session.

Good news for those looking for a job

THUMBS UP:

Blattner Energy’s plans to hire around 300 people for a Lake Benton area project and other projects outside Minnesota is good news employment in southwest Minnesota. The wind energy company held a job fair at the Lyon County Government Center on Monday.

Saying goodbye to our past

THUMBS DOWN:

The passings of Tim Conway and Doris Day reminds us how things have changed through the years. It seems life was much more simpler when Day was singing “Que Sera, Sera” and Conway was drawing lots of laughs on the “Carol Burnett Show.” Our entertainment sure has changed.

A Head Start for area children

THUMBS UP:

Families and their children received good news this week when the United Community Action Partnership announced it was getting $2.533 million from the Office of Heart Start to construct a Head Start facility in Marshall. There is a big need in southwest Minnesota for this type of service. Head Start is federal program that promotes the school readiness of children from birth to age 5 from low-income families. The program enhances a child’s cognitive, social and emotional development and supports children’s growth in language, literacy and social and emotional development. As we all know, these are important factors that play into the success rate of students as they advance through the higher grades and into higher education.