Columnists

As several of our readers in the immediate area might know, my father is a Parkinson’s Disease patient, and has been since his 2008 diagnosis. Dad – Larry – is the former publisher of The Tri-County News, the King City – Stanberry – Union Star predecessor of The Tri-County Ledger, into which we last year…

As a journalist for nearly two decades, I’ve had the opportunity and sometimes drew the short straw when covering breaking news events, but last week’s storm really provided me with a different perspective of this community. After driving through the storm Thursday morning, I found myself at The Forum office with no power and no…

Politically and economically speaking, I have always been conservative. I am also a social moderate willing to accept thoughtful evolvement when necessary or justified. I am not liberal in anything because I have not lost my mind. Conservatives have been getting a bum rap for a long time from their liberal opponents and from big…

Scammers are always finding new ways to steal your money and personal information by exploiting your fears. The most effective way to defeat scammers is to know how to identify scams and to ignore suspicious calls and emails. One common tactic scammers use is posing as federal agents or other law enforcement. They may claim…

I don’t know what it is about calendars and schedules that has done it to me, but every year summer arrives officially around June 21, and I always think the same thought: ‘That’s too early. How can we have the longest day of the year a month and a half before those hot days of…

There are times as a publisher and owner when readers and non-readers alike of our newspaper have asked, why did you print this story or go with that editorial or column because they did not necessarily agree with the topic or believed that the facts should be kept in the dark. My answer is generally…

June is Pride Month. It’s a time to acknowledge the LGBTQ+ community, and also celebrate diversity, love, and respect. On June 26, 2015, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a decision in Obergefell v. Hodges, holding that same-sex couples have a constitutional right to marry in all states. We recognize same-sex couples’ marriages in all states,…

I am far from impartial when it comes to my children. I think they’re great. In fact I’m downright sure that they’re the best. But… There have been several occasions this summer for me to have them in the newspaper office with me while I am trying to work. Trying became the operative word in…

As this academic year closes and we look toward the short-term and long-term future of Missouri’s colleges and universities, it is appropriate to examine some of the challenges facing higher education, at present. Indeed, rising tuition costs, high school graduation trends, state funding and negative public perceptions have helped create a landscape that requires thoughtful…