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Community Voices

When mom is depressed

I find women to generally be nurturing, caring, and kind. Mothers go well beyond that. Mothers are selfless, anticipate other people’s wants and needs, nurture, are supportive, protective, show empathy, care for, and guide their children. They are the glue that binds the family. Since mothers play such an important role in the lives of the family and have such a profound impact on each member of the family, they need to be cared for and protected. If something unfortunate or bad happens to her, then her ability to do and be all those wonderful things can be significantly compromised. ...

Minnesotans deserve better than a new tax on getting sick

Minnesotans are already facing high costs in nearly every part of their lives —groceries, gas, housing, and health care. Now, Democrats are proposing to make it even more expensive to get the care you need by raising the state’s health care provider tax, commonly referred to as the “sick tax.” The sick tax is a tax on medical and dental services, and it’s applied when you pay for care — things like an MRI, a dental cleaning, or a sleep apnea machine. Democrats want to increase this tax, raising your healthcare costs by an additional $470 million over the next four years. ...

Congressional legislation will harm students educational communities

Editor’s Note: The following letter was sent from presidents of Minnesota State’s 30 colleges and universities, including Kumara Jayasuriya at Southwest Minnesota State University, to U.S. Rep. Brad Finstad We are writing to highlight concerns we have with the U.S. House Committee on Education and the Workforce budget reconciliation bill, known as the Student Success and Taxpayer Savings Plan that recently passed out of committee. While the bill attempts to prioritize fiscal responsibility and student success, it will fundamentally undermine access to higher education and ...

Going to pot

Things have been going to pot at our place lately. This isn’t necessarily a bad development. In fact, some would argue that it’s a welcome outcome. My wife, for one, would likely say, “It’s about time!” The pots that I’m referring to are the kind that have to do with plants. Specifically, the type of plants whose main features are flowers that my wife has objectively and scientifically classified as “pretty.” It’s the time of year once again when I often have potting soil beneath my fingernails. We’re talking about enough dirt in the nailbed to grow a crop of ...

75 years of caring in Marshall

This year brings a significant milestone for Avera Marshall—our 75th anniversary. May 25, 2025, will mark 75 years since the doors first opened to serve our community. It’s a milestone that has us looking back on our roots. A legacy of compassion Our story began with a generous donation from Ben and Julius Weiner in memory of their father, Louis. Their gift helped establish Louis Weiner Memorial Hospital, ensuring that high-quality health care would be accessible to all—including those who were underserved or unable to pay. It’s remarkable how this original vision aligns ...

Despite industry challenges, Sleepy Eye Medical Center stands on solid ground

In recent articles published by the Minneapolis Star Tribune (April 18) and the New Ulm Journal (April 27), Sleepy Eye Medical Center (SEMC) was named among approximately 32 hospitals in Minnesota facing financial headwinds. Despite these industry-wide pressures, SEMC remains financially strong and well-positioned for the future. Our community-owned hospital, governed by a board comprised entirely of local residents, remains deeply committed to delivering high-quality, compassionate care and planning for the evolving needs of our region. Like most hospitals, our financial ...