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Incredible blessing to be an American

Letters to the Editor

To the Editor: For 77 years I have felt blessed and grateful for being born in America. I have had a wonderful life. As America now embarks on it’s next 250 years, I would ask just two questions of my friends, family and fellow Americans. What country has done more good for the world than America? What country would you prefer to live in other than America? As we celebrate 250 years of freedom, opportunity and American success, we understand that America’s history has been imperfect. However, our nation’s willingness to change and sacrifice for what is right has been ...

Pretend predators

Local Columns

Before heading up to Minnesota’s Iron Range to see family over the Fourth of July holiday weekend, I had the amazing experience to watch a loon at close range track down and take a relatively large panfish from the school of sunnies I was casting to just off the dock on the south shore of ...

Let's do some blending

Local Columns

How much of a blend are you? I expect you are well aware of your blended history. That familial heritage is within us, and always will be. And, of course, we pass it on during life and, maybe, do some more blending, correct? We are perfect examples of a blended wine — more on that in a bit. Our nation is often noted as a melting pot, but, perhaps, a better descriptive word for us would be our nation is a mosaic. Lots of cultures from around the world coming together to form families, neighborhoods, states and one country. Each patch of the mosaic adds interest, strength and ...

America’s 250th: A time to recognize national and local progress

Community Voices

Saturday’s 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence is special, something that’s truly historic. It calls for looking back on all that our country has accomplished. It went from being an experiment in democracy to a coast to coast nation and then a world leader. I’m fortunate to be old enough to remember the Bicentennial in 1976. I recall all the television spots and the memorabilia that went with the occasion. The United States was a very different country 50 years ago, and Marshall was different as a community. Nationally, it was a challenging time because of ...

2026 change to retirement catch-up contribution rule

Local Columns

2026 change to retirement catch-up contribution rule The year is already rapidly coming to a close, making it peak season for assessing (and, in many cases, reassessing) contribution options related to retirement savings accounts. A major factor worth considering heading into the new year are changes to the SECURE 2.0 Act’s catch-up contribution rule. The changes began on Jan. 1, 2026, and could have a significant impact on individuals 50 years of age and older who earned more than $150,000* in 2025. If you are part of this group of investors, read on to learn about what catch-up ...

Watching community policing in action

Community Voices

I attended the July meeting of the Marshall Downtown Business Association at the Marshall Area Chamber of Commerce office on Wednesday. This group is made up of downtown business owners and they meet early in the morning on every first day of each month. According to Sam Lund, event specialist for the Chamber, the MDBA works in conjunction with the Chamber in helping to coordinate or plan events such as Crazy Days — an event that is just around the corner. The MDBA has budgeted funds that is made up from fees collected from the various members who are owners of retail shops, ...