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Missouri’s Republican legislators might want to give a second thought to their party’s push to impose higher vote requirements to amend the state constitution. If some of these requirements had been in effect in 1980, it likely would have led to voter defeat of a major issue for Republicans. The 1980 “Hancock” constitutional amendment requires…

“How beautiful it is to find someone who asks for nothing but your company.” — Brigitte Nicole It was late afternoon and I wanted to swim. “Mom, will you take me down to the pool?” I begged. It was 1976, The year our country turned 200 years old. The year of Rocky Balboa, Hotel California…

Your personal my Social Security account is here for you at every stage of your career. You don’t have to be retired or even close to retirement to take advantage of it. With an account, you can conduct much of your Social Security business online. For example, you can request a replacement Social Security card…

The Social Security Administration and its Office of the Inspector General (OIG) continued to raise public awareness about Social Security imposter scams during the fourth annual “Slam the Scam” Day held in March. Social Security scams — where fraudsters pressure victims into making cash or gift card payments to fix alleged Social Security number problems…

In December, I wrote about my experience while attending the Nodaway Chorale Christmas Concert. As I enjoyed the program, I realized how many people I knew and reflected on their gifts they share, and how our small gifts encourage one another. As a result of the article, I was invited, as all are in Nodaway…

High school graduation is a happy time, just 12 quick years in the making. With speeches and themes depicting beginnings and ends, it’s easy to see why. It’s an epic moment in the life of young people, as they come of age hopefully prepared to continue growing their minds in college, our communities through families…

People get their feelings hurt pretty easily. Maybe it has always been that way. I’ve only been around a few decades, so I don’t have a large swath of history to which I can compare my own experiences. Yes, I see people getting their feelings hurt all the time. Some days, I think I’m as…

Hot on the heels of COVID was the inflation dragon with which we are still battling. Indeed, inflation is likely to remain in our wallets at least until next year when an approaching election may improve performance in casual Washington. We will see, but I suspect inflation will be tamed only when it benefits the…

Deadlines are rapidly approaching as we head into the final three weeks of the 2023 Missouri legislative session. The first is the deadline to pass the Fiscal Year 2024 state operating budget (House Bills 1-20), which is May 5. The second deadline is May 12 at 6 P.M., the last day of session. The General…

After the bit of rain we got a few days ago, I went out and checked the first offerings of my little garden. Sure enough, the onions are up. I know folks get pretty divided on the subject of onions and their flavor that no one, friend or foe, can ignore. But around my house,…