Editorials

Local journalism is the heartbeat of informed communities. It brings stories to light that state and national outlets don’t cover in our communities — stories about school board decisions, city council debates, town celebrations and local heroes. In a world increasingly shaped by global headlines and social media noise, the Star Herald keeps our readers grounded in civic engagement,…

Falls Prevention Week next week is a timely reminder for older adults to stay physically active, maintain balance and stay socially connected. One program helping make that possible right here in our community is SAIL – Stay Active and Independent for Life. SAIL classes are specifically designed to help adults 65 and older reduce their risk of falls and stay strong, confident and independent…

Gov. Tim Walz last week issued an executive order directing the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) to expand efforts to safeguard vaccine access in Minnesota in response to federal actions restricting vaccine availability at the federal level. The executive order also directs the state epidemiologist to issue a standing order for the COVID-19 vaccine, which would provide greater flexibility…

September is Suicide Prevention Month, a time to raise awareness, spread hope and spark meaningful action around one of the most urgent mental health issues of our time. During September (and year-round) the focus is on bringing discussion about suicide out of the darkness and into the open. The goal is to ensure that individuals, friends and families have access to the tools, resources and…

Recently friends from across the country and the world expressed concern about what life is like in the District of Columbia, which is occupied by out-of-state soldiers. We are asking, “Why does an authoritarian national leader now feel a need to govern us with misinformation-laced theatrics and an unconstitutional military force in place of our very capable local elected officials?” It has a…

Whether children walk, ride their bicycle or take the bus to school, it’s extremely important that they take proper safety precautions. As students return to school, the National Safety Council offers the following tips for children to safely travel to and from school:    Walkers: Review family walking safety rules and practice walking to school with your child. ●Walk on the sidewalk if one…

Wellness Month is observed in August when we’re encouraged to focus on improving our overall health and well-being. In our Rock County communities there are countless opportunities to engage in activities that support physical, mental, emotional and social health.  We have walking and biking paths, splash pads, fitness centers and numerous classes for senior balance and strength training. But…

Aug. 6 marked the 60th Anniversary of the passage of the federal Voting Rights Act, which most historians would put on their top 10 list of most consequential acts ever passed by the U.S. Congress. Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon reached out last week to observe the date and to encourage Minnesotans to continue their long history of strong voter turnout. He said the legislation stands…

The Star Herald has received a number of suggestions for “thumbs up” and “thumbs down” mentions in recent weeks. They include: Thumbs down — to train delays at intersections in town. The community appreciates that our railroad is vibrant and contributing to the local economy, but frequent and lengthy delays in the middle of town are not only an inconvenience to motorists, they can be a public…

When I attended a recent annual conference of the International Society of Weekly Newspaper Editors in Sioux Falls, I planned a side trip to Luverne – for reasons that started out esoteric but turned out to be quite meaningful. I was interested in Luverne and its newspaper because Ken Burns and Tom Hanks had told me a lot about them, in Burns’ 2007 documentary, “The War.” It focused on the…

Since 2022, business scam reports to BBB Scam TrackerSM have totaled more than 3,600. These scams involved employee and vendor impersonations, theft of social media accounts, data breaches and many more scam types. Reports to Better Business Bureau® show that business scammers can steal hundreds of thousands of dollars in a flash without proper protections. Further reports to federal agencies…

Congress recently passed one of the biggest peacetime military funding increases for the military “to protect the country and make us better.” This burgeoning war fund takes inequitably from Americans and the world’s poor by cutting Medicaid, foreign assistance and food aid. It also affects farmers’ capacity to raise and sell crops and is estimated to cost 17 million lives. As Jewish scholar…

Our readers have had an active week with recent submissions for “thumbs up” and “thumbs down” sentiments in the community. Thumbs down — to motorists who park in front of local EV chargers. The charging stations are there for a reason, and if you’re not charging your vehicle, please leave the parking spots open for EV motorists who need a charge. Thumbs up — to last week’s July 4 celebration at…

‘… these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be, FREE AND INDEPENDENT STATES …’ Friday is the Fourth of July, a national holiday that observes Independence Day — the day our forefathers adopted the Declaration of Independence from oppressors in Great Britain. Following are the words (in their original old English) from document approved July 4, 1776:   WHEN in the Course of human…

Nearly six million people in the United States are living with Alzheimer’s disease. The sixth-leading cause of death and the only leading disease without a prevention, treatment or cure, Alzheimer’s kills more Americans every year than breast cancer and prostate cancer combined. This June, during Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month, join the Alzheimer’s Association to help raise awareness…

Washington, D.C., where my wife, Karen, and I have had a home for 48 years, is deeply shaken by the political assassinations in our beloved Minnesota. So many people here live and work in circles of friendships with (and have traditional aspirations about) Minnesotans. The Beatitudes teach, among other things, that “blessed are those who are persecuted for the sake of justice.” Rep. Melissa…