Editorials
- By Sen. Amy KlobucharNovember 05, 2025In Minnesota and across the country, farmers are having trouble making ends meet amid low commodity prices and increasing costs. Farmer loan repayment rates continue to decline across the Midwest, and small farm bankruptcies have reached a five-year high. Why? Our farmers can’t offset the toll of tariffs on the rural economy. As I visited family farmers across western and southern Minnesota…
- October 29, 2025The Star Herald this week has collected an assortment of mentions for our “thumbs up and thumbs down” editorial, so it’s time to share them here. Thumbs up — to mild October weather and the now glorious fall color. It’s been an unseasonably warm fall, and the cooler nights are now producing more color on trees and shrubs. You don’t have to travel east or north to enjoy the vibrant autumn scenery…
- By By Rev. Tim Olsen, Luverne, on behalf of Rev. Jessica Moerman and Lindsay Garcia, with the Evangelical Environmental NetworkOctober 22, 2025We’re now into our fourth week of a federal government shutdown since Congress failed to approve a resolution for government funding. In preparation for this shutdown, the White House Office of Management and Budget instructed agencies to prepare reduction-in-force plans, adding potentially permanent layoffs to the long list of negative shutdown consequences. Congress’s inability to pass…
- 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…
- October 08, 2025This week, Oct. 5-11, is National Fire Prevention Week, and the theme of the 2025 campaign is “Charge into Fire Safety: Lithium-Ion Batteries in Your Home.” The national organization and our local firefighters are working this week to educate the public about using these batteries safely. Specifically, the message focuses on the importance of buying, charging and recycling lithium-ion…
- October 01, 2025Local 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,…
- By Linda Wenzel, program manager, A.C.E. of SW MNSeptember 24, 2025Falls 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…
- 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…
By the National Alliance on Mental IllnessSeptember 10, 2025September 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…- By Tom GetmanSeptember 03, 2025Recently 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…
- August 27, 2025Whether 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…
- 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…
- August 13, 2025Aug. 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…
- August 06, 2025The 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…
- By Guest editorial by Al Cross, retired newspaper editorJuly 30, 2025When 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…
- By Better Business Bureau guest editorialJuly 23, 2025Since 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…
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