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Opinion

What’s the real problem?

Letters to the Editor

To the Editor: “Nothing is more common than for a free people, in times of heat and violence, to gratify momentary passions, by letting into the government principles and precedents which afterwards prove fatal to themselves,” - Alexander Hamilton, 1784. If we don’t think like criminals when proposing new gun laws, we could easily fall prey to Hamilton’s warning — literally. The latest shootings and death of Charlie Kirk, have once again, brought the ownership of guns to the forefront: who should or should not have them, what types, etc. There is a widespread rush to ...

Fields of dreams

Local Columns

Although it went unnoticed, it was there. As a young lad, I liked walking through the fields on our family farm. After a long day of work, those fields offered me solace and hope. It was quiet. There was hope. There was beauty. Strolling through a field of corn, there was a sense of hope. We hoped the weather would cooperate and the yield would be enough for us to feed our livestock for a year. The hushed walk was enriched by the tall stalks of corn, the large ears of developing corn and the occasional slap in the face by a corn leaf. Yes, a bit annoying, but the dream of a good ...

Red and gold

Local Columns

The older I get, the more I look forward to the red and gold of autumn. While the trees often sport these colors as the season rolls around and summer comes to an end, the red and gold that often accompanies this time in between that seasonal shift is a bit different. The areas around those still-green canopies are hallmarked by the fleeting ruby and golden blur of meadowhawk dragonflies that signal the transition from the warm weather season into fall. As a youngster, it didn’t take me long to associate the appearance of these flitting crimson and yellow dragonflies at the lake ...

Momentum in our schools: The choice ahead for MPS

Community Voices

A new school year is always a special time. There’s a distinct pulse in the hallways, focus in the classrooms and a sense of possibility for what lies ahead. Our teachers and staff are ready to build on the progress we’ve made together as a district. At every level, we are seeing our efforts have a real impact in the classroom — from stronger reading skills among our younger learners to growing participation in career and technical education pathways that connect students to real opportunities in our community. We are strengthening support systems that have led to improved ...

SMSU takes detour on homecoming parade

Editorials

When the morning of Oct. 11 arrives in downtown Marshall, don’t expect to hear the music of marching bands or fire truck horns blaring. Don’t expect to see waves of candy flying toward children. You will have to travel down to the campus of Southwest Minnesota State University to take in this year’s homecoming parade. That’s because SMSU officials decided to move the parade to the campus instead of remaining with the traditional Main Street route. Why? Well, SMSU officials say it’s because of the ongoing street construction in downtown Marshall. However, that ...

Ask a Trooper

Local Columns

Question: With school back in session, can you talk about school bus safety and what motorists need to know? Answer: School buses have yellow and red lights that flash alternately to warn drivers they are stopping to load or unload students. Bus drivers will activate flashing yellow lights at least 100 feet before a school bus stops in a speed zone of 35 mph or less. They will activate the lights at least 300 feet before it stops in a speed zone of more than 35 mph. It is against the law to pass on the right side of a school bus while it is displaying red or yellow flashing ...