Breaking News

Local Columns

Local election process shows that election officials have integrity

This November there will be a midterm election, and already there’s talk about the potential for disputed results. It’s a disturbing trend in national politics, one that has coincided with Donald Trump’s leadership of the Republican Party. I’m offended by how he continues to question the integrity of Election 2020. There’s a reason I take it personally. I reported on every election between 1992 and 2002 when I was a full-time news reporter at the Independent. I later did the same thing in Election 2012 when I was editor of the Minneota Mascot. I eagerly awaited election ...

On the porch

As mentioned a few weeks ago, this year, the United States will commemorate and celebrate the 250th anniversary (the “Semiquincentennial” of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. This anniversary presents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to share the whole history of our ...

Country school kids – Charlie Hettling – the Hettling family and farm

As mentioned a few weeks ago, this year, the United States will commemorate and celebrate the 250th anniversary (the “Semiquincentennial” of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. This anniversary presents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to share the whole history of our nation. 50 years ago, the United States held the Bicentennial celebration. The United States Bicentennial in 1976 was a series of events in celebration of the nation’s 200th birthday. The American Freedom Train, carrying artifacts, documents, and artwork for public view, began its 21 month tour of ...

Healthy love starts young

February is recognized nationally as Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness about the realities of unhealthy and abusive relationships among young people. Led by organizations such as love is respect and supported by initiatives from the National Domestic Violence Hotline, this month encourages communities to have honest conversations about respect, boundaries, consent, and healthy communication. Teen dating violence affects millions of adolescents each year, yet it often goes unrecognized or unreported. By increasing education, promoting ...

Healthy love starts young

February is recognized nationally as Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness about the realities of unhealthy and abusive relationships among young people. Led by organizations such as love is respect and supported by initiatives from the National Domestic Violence Hotline, this month encourages communities to have honest conversations about respect, boundaries, consent, and healthy communication. Teen dating violence affects millions of adolescents each year, yet it often goes unrecognized or unreported. By increasing education, promoting ...

State Capitol gets new security, why can’t schools get the same priority?

Feb. 15 marked National School Resource Officer Appreciation Day. As a fairly new recognition, started in 2022, many people don’t even know it exists. You might not be fully aware of what a School Resource Officer (SRO) actually does, or the critical role they play in school safety. Guns often dominate the headlines when we talk about keeping students, teachers, and school staff safe, but other measures, like having trained SROs in our schools, need to be front and center in the conversation. In the wake of the Annunciation School shooting last August, parents, administrators, and ...