editorials

The word "crisis" gets tossed around quite a bit these days. But sometimes it takes a strong word like that to get people's attention. So here's another crisis: There are not nearly enough foster parents to take care of all the children out there who need a safe place to call home,...

Tobacco 21 builds momentum

Here's a little encouragement in these dire times: Things are not as bad as they seem. At least in our neck of the woods. The number of West Central residents who feel their community is performing well in roads and infrastructure, public transportation service, and cultural and arts...

Headway was made last week in the battle against a stubborn health threat — e-cigarettes and other nicotine products. The Minnesota Senate passed its Health and Human Services omnibus bill on May 1 that addresses two key tobacco prevention issues. The bill strengthens the state's...

Forgetting farmers Thumbs Down: Farmers are facing dire economic conditions and their plight is not getting the attention it deserves. A just-released survey of members of the Minnesota Milk Producers

Have you received a call from the Social Security Administration lately? It's likely a scam. It's such a sweeping problem that it prompted administration and its Office of the Inspector General to launch a new joint public service announcement to address it. In short, it's a nationwide...

Editor's note: The following editorial was printed in the Mankato Free Press on April 17. According to the latest state pavement condition report from MnDOT, Minnesota roads are getting worse. And it appears that is just fine by the GOP-led Senate. Majority Leader Paul Gazelka and...

Looking for a little extra cash? There are better options than scrounging around for loose change in the sofa. One sure way to slowly build up your savings is to save on energy costs. As part of Financial Capability Month, the Minnesota Department of Commerce is reminding Minnesotans...

Lawmakers and bees

Here's some heartening news on the political front. Young people are taking an increased interest in politics — at least in Minnesota. The state's youth voter turnout was tops in the United States in 2018, according to a new study. Minnesota has long had a solid track record...

Like it or not, a basic knowledge of money — how to save it, how to wisely spend it, how to plan your future with it — is important. One could argue that it ranks right up there with reading, writing and arithmetic. Yet many young people, even in this high-tech world with...

Tall grass, noxious weeds, accumulating junk and garbage, inoperable vehicles just rusting away, hazardous building materials strewn about. Some property owners — more than you may think — let their properties reach such a sad state of affairs. According to Lynn Timm,...