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Census Bureau should revise Marshall’s population total

Four years after Census 2020, the mystery of Marshall’s population decline has yet to be solved. Much to everyone’s surprise, the city posted a decline of 52 residents in 2020. It meant that Marshall is no longer the largest city in southwestern Minnesota since Worthington’s total was higher. The city has a logical reason for disputing the census figure. A pandemic like COVID is not the best time to do a census count in a college town. Because of remote learning, many students were not present at the Southwest Minnesota State University campus. Ward One, which includes the ...

‘Ooga-chaka ooga-ooga’ — thinking about Valentine’s Day

Valentine’s Day — the national holiday that commonly involves expressing heartfelt sentiments with heart-shaped boxes of chocolates — is upon us. Finding a fitting Valentine gift for your Significant Other can be problematic if you have been in a relationship for a long time. It’s difficult to seem romantic and spontaneous when you have shared dozens of Valentine’s Days. A guy has only so many tricks in his little black bag. Things are much easier when a relationship is in its early days and everything is sparkly and new. “Oh my gosh!” a young female might gush to one ...

Zen and the art of welding

I was the kind of kid who despised school. School was just a waste of time, an annoying delay in my plan to launch a career in farming. I informed my parents that I would probably have enough education by the end of third grade. They didn’t agree and instead insisted that I attend classes until I earned a high school diploma. I gritted my teeth every morning as I slouched my way into our gloomy brick schoolhouse. I hate to admit this, but school occasionally had some bright spots. One of them was Ag Class, which was taught by Palmer Eidet. I enrolled in Ag Class because it ...

Perry and the gun debate

We all have bucket lists of places we want to visit. I’ve never been to Hawaii. That is on my list. Perry, Iowa is also on it. The allure of that town in the middle of Iowa isn’t its beaches, although the Racoon River does flow through it. Rather, it’s a unique connection between Sleepy Eye and Perry. They were both stops on Babe Ruth’s barnstorming tour in October 1922. Those two were the only small towns on a trip that included Denver and Kansas City. Babe and Yankee teammate Bob Meusel played in Perry on Friday, Oct. 13. The next two days they were in Lincoln and Omaha. ...

The power of workers and unions in 2024

Last year, scenes of striking workers and picket lines dominated the news. Workers from all corners of the American economy — from writers and auto workers, to teachers and health care professionals — came together to fight for their fair share. The labor movement had a big moment in 2023. I hope we can say the same in 2024. In the fall, I went to Hudson, Wisconsin to stand in solidarity with the striking members of Local 722 of the United Auto Workers.  About half those workers in Hudson are Minnesotans.  On that rainy day, amidst a small tent with snacks and drinks, I ...

SMSU’s Gold College proves that learning is a lifelong process

Southwest Minnesota State University’s Gold College is proof that learning never has to stop. Gold College is set to begin next month for a six-week spring semester. A kick off event is planned for Feb. 28 at 2 p.m. in Charter Hall 201. I’m thinking about signing up for a Gold College class for the first time. It would be fun to learn something new. It’s also a chance to go back to school without the pressure of tests or grades. I’m feeling almost like I felt 20 years ago when I enrolled in graduate school. Education still offers valuable opportunities. I have experience ...