Columnists

A few weeks ago, I wrote about my apprehension about legalizing recreational marijuana in our state. I want you to know my opinion has not changed. In fact, the more I learn about Amendment 3, the more I am against it. A “yes” vote will amend the Missouri Constitution to remove state prohibitions on the…

Some journalists don’t vote. They think it creates an inherent conflict of interest. I understand that way of thinking, but I’ve never been able to bring myself to not go to the ballot box on Election Day. Voting, for me, remains as exciting and fulfilling as the first time I cast a ballot for ……

Are there things we should keep private? Are there opinions or ideas we hold that we should treat as personal, possibly even sacred? And if so, should we not perhaps be quite so willing to spout out our more private viewpoints? I know, it’s ironic – bordering up on hypocritical, you might believe – for…

Believe it or not, it is almost November. The days are quickly growing shorter, the air is getting cooler and our wonderful farmers are in the process of harvesting their crops. This means they are delivering those goods to market, and it takes them just a little longer to get there than it does for…

As the weather turns toward autumn, there are many cultural celebrations coming. Autumn is the perfect season to enjoy all that Northwest has to offer, including the richness of diversity within the Northwest community. The month of October is recognized as LGBTQ+ History Month. LGBTQ+ History Month originated in the state of Missouri in 1994…

There is an issue on Missouri’s statewide general election ballot that I will be watching to see if Missourians continue a trend of rejecting the decisions of their elected officials. It is the initiative petition proposal to legalize possession and sale of marijuana. That’s an idea that has made no headway in the legislature. In…

As a nation why do we continue to treat ourselves so poorly? I’m not just referring to political behaviors which are suspect enough but to the reaction to them. Here’s what I mean. According to a recent article by David Morse, a tax expert, “Right now, any U.S. company selling more than $600 worth of…

The extra legislative session has come to a close. Toward the end of summer, the governor asked lawmakers to come back to Jefferson City to take care of two items he felt had not been properly addressed during the regular session, which runs each year from January through the middle of May. In his call…

Well, our organization has gone through a few changes lately, and I’ll take a few moments to describe a few of them for our readers. This past week, we passed the torch of The Grant City Times-Tribune, which is now under the ownership and operation of Ken Garner and the crew at The Maryville Forum.…

Are you concerned about protecting your older relatives and friends from elder abuse? The pandemic highlighted the disproportionate impact of tragedy on underserved communities, including older adults, who face high rates of elder abuse, fraud, and nursing homes deaths. It’s important to remember that elder abuse can happen to anyone, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender,…