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Referendum is about investing in our students

Community Voices

Raising my family in Marshall, I learned firsthand the importance of community and the responsibility that comes with serving others. Over the years, I’ve seen how Marshall Public Schools shape not only our children’s lives, but the vitality of our entire town. Serving as your school board chair has been a privilege. The trust you place in our board is not taken lightly, and I am grateful for the opportunity to help guide the future of our schools. Our board has worked side by side with district leaders to minimize the impact of ongoing financial challenges. We’ve made tough ...

For our family, Annunciation shooting was a tragic reality

Community Voices

“It’s unimaginable.” “I can’t even begin to understand what you must be feeling.” “I cannot imagine what you’ve gone through.” These are a few of the well-meaning sentiments we’ve heard since our world was shattered and our worst fears came true on Aug. 27. While well-meaning, they’re not quite right. You can imagine it. You can viscerally feel it. You just don’t want to. So today we’re sharing your story from that day. You were on a work call when your phone started repeatedly buzzing around 8:30 a.m. While you tried to focus on the call, ...

Use caution when approaching farm equipment on the road

Editorials

Harvest season has arrived in southern Minnesota and the Minnesota Department of Transportation is reminding motorists to look out for farm equipment on our rural roads and highways. MnDOT, in a Monday news release, reported there were 455 crashes involving farm equipment from 2022 to 2024, resulting in eight deaths and 180 injuries. “Fall harvest season brings more farm equipment to Minnesota highways as farmers move their crops from field to market. We’re all safer when we work together and watch out for one another. Motorists should always scan the road ahead and slow down as ...

September shines a light: Awareness, recovery and hope

Community Voices

September is a month of reflection, awareness, and hope. It marks both National Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month and National Recovery Month—two observances that shine a light on struggles often carried in silence. Together, they remind us that mental health and recovery are deeply connected, that every life matters, and that healing is possible. This month calls us to break the stigma, extend support, and honor the courage of those who continue their journey toward wellness and recovery. The statistics are sobering. Suicide imposes profound and far-reaching consequences, ...

Making a difference — United Way and kindergarten readiness

Letters to the Editor

To the editor: As board member of United Way of Southwest Minnesota, I’ve had the privilege of seeing firsthand how our work—and the generous support from our community—positively impacts families across the region. This year, I experienced that impact not only as a board member, but also as a mom. September marks the start of a new school year, and my two youngest children began kindergarten. Over the summer, we participated in the Wild About Kindergarten program, which provides School Readiness Kits to families in our service area. These kits are filled with engaging tools ...

Wine, whiskey and music

Local Columns

It’s always interesting to notice how things come together. Many of us enjoy a good old PB&J, right? In case you don’t recognize those letters, they stand for peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Of course, you would retort, everyone knows what PB&J stands for, dumbo! And to press on, everyone enjoys a nice piece of apple pie with ice cream, correct? Or, how about a plate of buttermilk pancakes with maple syrup with scrambled eggs and sausage? There are so many food items that tastefully pair together, but don’t forget to look around you, too! Notice all of life’s opportunities ...