Editorials

There’s nothing quite like Thanksgiving to put into perspective how fortunate we are. Whether it’s taking a moment to think about how thankful we are for the blessings in our lives, or just to get a closer look at what life would be like if Uncle Jerry lived closer, Thanksgiving can — and should —…

There are only a few specific days on the calendar each year that have special meaning: there is Christmas Day on December 25, Valentine’s Day on February 14 and Independence Day on July 4, but maybe the most important of those days in November 11. Why is that day so special? Because the 11th hour…

E very day, we’re asking ourselves all sorts of questions just to make it from moment to moment. Where did I put that? How many kids was I supposed to pick up? What did I come in this room for again? Chances are, if you’re reading this, then you plan to add another question to…

Last week, the Teacher Recruitment and Retention Blue Ribbon Commission issued nine recommendations to state officials intended to tackle the teacher shortage crisis that is hurting our schools across the state. The commission, made up of 22 members representing business, state legislators, teachers, staff from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, the governor’s office,…

Just by creating a phrase for it — domestic violence — we acknowledge that there is something inherently different about violence between people who are in a relationship, whether it’s familial, romantic or otherwise. Often, it’s not black and white. Especially for those of us on the outside, it can seem difficult to understand why…

There is no act more sacred to our democracy than voting. In the Nov. 8 midterm election, we will once again go to the polls to exercise our most basic American right. But often forgotten are the people who make that right possible: we cannot cast a ballot if there is no one to take…

A community’s newspaper is a public trust. That’s a favorite phrase of Forum owner Ken Garner, both in public and in private, because it’s our mantra here at The Forum. A community’s news belongs to the members of the community. The truth is, that’s not a unique philosophy. Walk into virtually any locally owned, small-town…

Nodaway County is a place with a big heart. Civic engagement, community service groups, volunteerism — they’re not only alive and thriving here in our corner of northwest Missouri, they’re a point of pride. And when it comes to helping our children, that goes double. So one of the best fits for us as a…

A wareness, as a term, is generally overused. We raise awareness for all sorts of good causes, but are we really any more aware of these things than we were before? Probably the answer is sometimes yes, sometimes no. September is National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. Most newspaper-readers can probably consider themselves reasonably aware of…

This past weekend, we marked the 21st anniversary of the September 11th attacks. After the events of that day, it didn’t take us long to begin reminding each other to “never forget.” For those of us who remember that day, and the world as it was on September 10th, there was of course never much…