opinion
- October 15, 2025Have you seen the purple ribbons displayed around Luverne? For survivors of domestic violence, the color purple is meant to be a symbol of peace, courage, survival, honor and dedication to ending violence. The purple ribbons are for these individuals and a reminder to all of us that domestic violence is a real and dangerous threat. Rock County is a vibrant healthy community, but we, like every…
- September 17, 2025Gov. 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…
- August 20, 2025Wellness 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…
- April 30, 2025The Star Herald last week was pleased to be invited by Congressman Brad Finstad’s office to join him at the local John Deere dealership for a tour and visit with local people. “Congressman Brad Finstad (MN-01) will be visiting C&B Operations in Luverne on Friday, April 25, at 1:30 p.m. CT,” the email message read. “Press is welcome to attend. Please reply … if you plan to join.” We replied…
- April 09, 2025It’s been a rough week. When there’s a fatal crash, it’s always a dark day — for the drivers involved, for their families, for first responders, for law enforcement — and for us at the Star Herald. It’s hard to report sad news about local families, and it’s even harder to do that work under a barrage of social media criticism. “Shame on you for posting those pictures,” one wrote about the…
- By Thomas GetmanMarch 26, 2025I’m sincerely grateful —even proud — each week when I open the digital Star Herald, and I look forward to later lingering over the print edition. It amazes me to see the large sports section with the many fine athletes and their accomplishments both at LHS and HBC. Sports experiences at LHS provided larger-than-life influence on me and many others. The coaching mentors undergird the ethics and…
- October 16, 2024We observed National Newspaper Week last week, and it’s the time of year we consider why the Star Herald is worth the price of a subscription. •We are the only news outlet that covers your school boards, city councils and Rock County Board of Commissioners. These elected officials, dear readers, are the ones who spend your tax dollars and take action on building projects, commercial…
- June 05, 2024Gov. Tim Walz is proclaiming June 2024 as Great Outdoors Month to encourage Minnesotans to get out in nature and enjoy the state’s outstanding outdoor opportunities. The proclamation points to investments in the state’s outdoor recreation system through the Get Out MORE (Modernize Outdoor Recreation Experiences) initiative as an example of the critical importance of outdoor recreation to…
- February 21, 2024Is it possible you overlooked a rebate check that didn’t get cashed? If so, you may soon get a reissued check, so watch your mail and know what you’re looking for. Officials with the Minnesota Department of Revenue announced last week that they will begin reissuing over 128,000 one-time tax rebate checks that have gone uncashed and subsequently expired after their November and December issuance…
- February 28, 2023Minnesota’s 1,777 townships will hold their annual meeting on Tuesday, March 14. Known as Township Day, these annual meetings take place every year on the second Tuesday in March and set townships apart from other forms of local government. At these meetings, residents of the townships will voice their opinions about local issues with other township residents, and they’ll vote directly on their…
- By Bill Weber, Luverne, District 22 SenatorFebruary 22, 2022This year’s legislative session will be about getting Minnesota back on the right track. My priorities will be to tackle the tax infrastructure, the state's education system, and public safety. Surplus With a $7.7 billion surplus in the Minnesota state budget, there are a lot of opinions about what to do with all this extra money. Before I discuss what we should and should not do with the…
- December 21, 2020The Star Herald this week is dated Dec. 24, Christmas Eve, so our editorial staff thought it fitting to use this space to remember the reason for the season: On Dec. 25 we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. For Christians, that little miracle baby was God’s son, born to save us from our sin. “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not…
October 13, 2020Well, I took the bait. It happens about once every two weeks or so. I replied to a semi-political comment on Facebook. I should know better. In my defense, the original post was about the no-barrier COVID testing available this week in Luverne. It wasn’t technically political. I would have passed it by, but the author of the post mentioned online learning. As a teacher experiencing hybrid…- By Craig Oftedahl, Luverne Public Schools SuperintendentMay 05, 2020Thank you, Luverne teachers! During the past six weeks, I have been reminded many times why I became an educator. It has been and always will be about the students for me. As a teacher, coach, principal, athletic director, and now as a superintendent, I always wanted students to have better opportunities than I had as a student and participant of extra-curricular activities. …
- March 24, 2020Luverne and Rock County have always been leaders in our little corner of the state on policies ranging from schools, the environment, agriculture and most recently the census (we’re leading the state right now in data response). Now, dear readers, we must again step up and be leaders. Our governor has issued mandates and our local businesses and governments are following through. But just 30…
- January 14, 2020On Monday, Minnesota Senate Republicans announced their agenda for the upcoming legislative session. Known as “Vision 2020,” it will guide public policy work during the 2020 legislative session, which is expected to include capital investment bill, a supplemental budget, tax relief, health care, public safety, roads and bridges, public infrastructure and more. Sen. Bill Weber, Luverne, shares his…
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