Breaking News

Opinion

Homecoming visit reflects changes in SMSU campus life

Community Voices

Last week I decided to do something extra to celebrate the Southwest Minnesota State University homecoming. I went out to campus on Friday to just walk around and see a typical class day. I went to the Natural History Museum, the greenhouse, the alumni heritage gallery and the campus store. I enjoyed a large sized cup of coffee. I attended SMSU as an undergraduate from 1986 to 1990, earning English and history majors with a Spanish minor. I later completed graduate school, a master’s of business administration, from 2004 to 2007. I wore my alumni sweatshirt when I visited campus ...

On the Porch

Local Columns

The social news or gossip columns in the old newspapers are always fascinating to read. A special section in the newspaper was devoted to the social media of the day. The whereabouts of local people and events were often featured in these columns. Here are a few from The News Messenger of Lyon County on Oct. 19, 1917: Of those who took the civil service examination at the Marshall Post-office, for stenographer and typewriter service, the following have received papers showing that they have passed: Maude Regnier, Genevieve Blanchette, M.E. Clendenning, Anna Lynch, Gleva Fortin and ...

The Vietnam War – Marland Burckhardt – Life in Vietnam and end of tour

Local Columns

We have been following Marland Burckhardt, a Russell High School graduate who served in the Army in Italy before returning to college, marrying his sweetheart, and graduating with an Army commission. The couple served a year in Germany before returning so Marland could complete Counterintelligence School and the Special Forces Officer Course. He deployed to Vietnam in January 1970 to help assess enemy activity in the southern half of South Vietnam for 5th Special Forces Group at Nha Trang, Vietnam. He later moved north to Danang. While in Nha Trang Marland had an unexpected ...

School district would have option to renew levy

Letters to the Editor

To the editor: Are we, as Marshall Public Schools taxpayers, being asked to give our local district an “open checkbook” for the possibility of the next 20 years? I have recently asked, and received numerous information that I requested from our local district. All of the information that I’ve received is public information and can be obtained by anyone. With the upcoming levy referendum that the school is proposing they are asking the voters to approve this levy for a period of 10 years. During those years, the rate of inflation can be applied each year and added to the ...

Democrats spewing hatred

Letters to the Editor

To the editor: The absolute unadulterated, unsubstantial dislike and complete hateful rhetoric being spewed from elected officials, TV news programs, late night shows and recent letters to the editor is disturbing and dangerous to the point of generating and encouraging violence. Why do the Democrats appear so desperate to spew such hatred? They are resorting to not just name calling like Nazi, fascist, dictator, now it includes curse words that George Carlin was virtually criminalized for. How sad and pathetic. What outcome is all this vial rhetoric producing? It seems to have ...

‘Purple for a purpose: Standing against domestic violence’

Community Voices

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month—a time to honor survivors, remember the lives lost, and stand together to break the cycle of abuse. Domestic violence is not an isolated issue; it touches individuals, families, and entire communities. This month calls us to act with urgency: to raise awareness, believe survivors, and work toward a future where safety and healing are possible for all. The impacts of domestic violence extend far beyond the home. Children who witness abuse carry invisible scars, families are torn apart, and communities feel the strain in schools, workplaces, ...