Editorials
- November 29, 2023There’s an urgent need for child foster families – and adoptive homes as well. In 2022, 11,235 children in Minnesota experienced out-of-home care. For children who left out-of-home placement, 20 percent were adopted by families, according to the Minnesota Department of Human Services. If you’ve ever wondered about fostering children or adopting children from foster care, here’s what you…
- November 26, 2023According to a Gallup survey, 74 percent of holiday shoppers said they expect to spend about the same amount or more on holiday gifts this year compared to last, and 23 percent of shoppers said they choose one retailer over another because they want to support small and local businesses in their community. Small businesses are essential to rural America. When buying from local small businesses,…
- November 15, 2023Shop online safely this holiday season The holiday season often brings a surge in cyber-attacks, and local banks are alerting customers of threats to watch for and tips to navigate the online world safely during the holidays. Phishing attacks: Phishing attacks involve cybercriminals posing as legitimate entities, often via emails or messages. They aim to trick recipients into revealing…
- November 08, 2023Veterans Day is observed annually on Nov. 11, regardless of which day of the week it falls on. This year Veterans Day is on Saturday, Nov. 11. It’s a holiday honoring all service members. Nov. 11, 1918, was considered the end of World War I, “the war to end all wars,” and was called Armistice Day. World War I officially ended when the Treaty of Versailles was signed on June 28, 1919, but…
- November 01, 2023As weather turns cold, homeowners and renters can take steps now to save money, save energy and stay warm. The Minnesota Department of Commerce offers resources for home weatherization and energy efficiency. There are easy steps to weatherize and make your home more energy-efficient. Among the low-cost, simple steps for saving energy you could do: Insulate: •Add plastic film over windows…
- October 25, 2023A unique community consortium is debuting Monday, Oct. 30, at Take 16 in Luverne, and all women in Rock County are invited. The Women’s Giving Circle is a long-desired idea that’s coming to life from Luverne Area Community Foundation executive director Emily Crabtree. She wants to bring focus to the barriers faced by the women and children of Rock County by empowering local women to lead the…
- October 18, 2023Last week families and volunteers “Painted the Prairie Purple” for Dementia Awareness Week, which culminated with a Dementia Walk Saturday in Luverne City Park. The efforts are dedicated to increasing understanding and awareness of dementia, a condition affecting millions worldwide. Dementia is not a single disease, but a collection of symptoms that result from disorders affecting the brain.…
- By Sara Wahl, Southwest Crisis Center executive directorOctober 11, 2023Domestic violence affects millions of individuals, families and children — of every race, religion, culture and status every year. It’s not just punches and black eyes — it’s yelling, humiliation, stalking, manipulation, coercion, threats and isolation. It’s stealing a paycheck, keeping tabs online, non-stop texting, constant use of the silent treatment, or calling someone stupid so often they…
- By Sue Abderholden, Director, the Minnesota Chapter of the National Alliance on Mental IllnessOctober 04, 2023The first week of October is Mental Illness Awareness Week. While we need to learn and talk about mental illnesses all year round, this week is dedicated to raising awareness, fighting discrimination, and connecting people to resources. This year’s theme is “Together We Care. Together We Share.” The U.S. Surgeon General released a report earlier this year on loneliness. In it he wrote, “People…
- September 27, 2023National research shows about half of parents install their child’s car seat incorrectly, and more than a third of children under 13 who died in crashes were unrestrained. To help protect the youngest Minnesotans and motorists of all ages, the Minnesota Department of Public Safety’s Office of Traffic Safety recently coordinated a Click It or Ticket enforcement and awareness campaign. The…
- By Pastor Mike Geiger, Crosspoint Church (WELS) Georgetown, TXSeptember 20, 2023“Can you believe it?” We often say this when we see or witness something that seems beyond the normal. We might believe it because we witness it, but the person we tell about it is a bit skeptical. We may even qualify these events with the phrase, “I wouldn’t have believed it unless I saw it!” Stories like this might be an account of the fish that “got away” or perhaps a sports team’s come-from…
- By Mark Jacobson, Peer Support Specialist, WinonaSeptember 20, 2023We have come a long way in understanding the importance of taking care of mental health. Although there have been many improvements in how mental health is addressed, there still is a stigma involved, especially when it comes to suicide. One common misconception that leads to the further stigma around mental health is that “suicide is a selfish choice.” Is suicide selfish? No, suicide is not a…
- By U.S. Senator Amy KlobucharSeptember 13, 2023The cost of prescription drugs has been too high for too long, and it’s hurt Americans’ health and bank accounts. Medicines don’t work if people can’t afford them. For far too many people, high drug prices can force difficult choices like whether to ration meds or food or not pay the electric bill during a hot summer. This is true even for seniors covered by Medicare. But after years of…
- September 06, 2023Calling for help is an important skill for children to develop, but dialing 911 can be challenging or confusing for them. In a recent study, none of the kindergarten and first-grade students tested could dial 911 and report an emergency, and only 16 percent of second- and third-grade students were successful with the same task. Children need these skills because sometimes they might be the…
- September 01, 2023As students head back to school, we urge motorists to slow down and stay alert, and we urge families with children to talk about safety. This time of year is particularly dangerous with young inexperienced drivers, pedestrians and bicyclists who will all share the road in the early morning and afternoon hours. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration offers these tips to help keep…
- August 22, 2023To stop impaired driving from endangering lives as people enjoy the end of summer, troopers, deputies and officers will team up for a DWI enforcement campaign Aug. 18-Sept. 4. The Minnesota Department of Public Safety Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) coordinates the campaign with funding provided by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. “Impaired is impaired, regardless of the…
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