Letters to the Editor
- By Allen Saakyan, HillsApril 22, 2026To the editor: The City of Hills and City Clerk-Treasurer Connie Wiertzema are currently being sued for illegal public data practices. Former mayors of the town have defended these practices and even told citizens investigating them to move out of town. That raises an obvious question: how long has this been going on — and could this culture of gatekeeping be part of what has kept Hills stuck…
- By Lori Ann Hallstrom, LuverneApril 15, 2026Dear Editor, parents, friends and neighbors The last few weeks I’ve noticed while I binge watch television, that there’s a new commercial that comes on repeatedly-online/phone app gambling. Interestingly I had recently heard a story on MPR about this exact issue. A woman talked about the struggles over her son’s now gambling addiction. She discussed her own struggles of addressing the issue…
- By Larry Green, LuverneApril 15, 2026To the Editor: Pete Hegseth was appointed to the post of Secretary of Defense (not War) by President Trump, and serves at the pleasure of the president. Like Trump, he is “thin skinned” according to Democratic Representative Adam Smith, and if given information he does not like he may retaliate against the person who spoke out. Hegseth has fired more admirals and generals (12) in his brief…
- By Marilyn Sasker, LuverneApril 15, 2026To the Editor: I thoroughly enjoyed Lori’s article in the April 2 Star Herald titled “Adrift in unchartered waters.” Myself being a word lover more often than not, meanings go right over my head. I just simply appreciated Lori’s article. And to get the drift of it; I literally read it twice! I realize there is a lot of work and thought that goes into writing for the paper. It is all…
- By Kayla (Gradert) McKenzie, Luverne native, Apple ValleyApril 01, 2026To the editor: A front-page article in the Thursday, March 12, edition titled “County bracing for unfunded mandates in ‘Big Beautiful Bill’” describes cuts to SNAP. The county must now cover a portion of these costs because the federal government is not. These cuts hurt the most vulnerable amongst us, families just trying to get by. Readers are encouraged to reach out to state representatives…
- By Larry Green, LuverneApril 01, 2026To the editor: We have relatives, neighbors and friends standing in harm’s way, serving America in the war in Iran. More troops have been ordered to deploy to the Mideast. Already, 13 Army and National Guard members have died, and more have been wounded, some grievously. On March 12 an Air Force KC135R Stratotanker crashed, killing all aboard. In the March 18 Minnesota Star Tribune newspaper…
- By Art Ehde, LuverneApril 01, 2026To the editor: I am concerned about the Northern Con-Agg interim use permit application to open a new gravel pit. One concern is the amendment approved last year which allows expansion of a gravel pit in the A-1 zone as long as the land is contiguous or next to a current pit. Northern-Con-Agg asked to have the previous A-1 zoning ordinance amended to allow expansions of existing gravel pits…
- By Larry GreenMarch 18, 2026To the editor: Last week, a Tomahawk “precision missile” that has been attributed to the United States’ military struck an elementary school in Iran, killing 180 students and teachers. I am a parent of two grown boys, and cannot fathom the pain of losing a child in the “safe haven” of their school. Last week Trump was considering sending “boots on the ground”, American foot soldiers, into…
- By Larry GreenMarch 11, 2026To the editor: I didn't think things could get much darker in our domestic and foreign affairs, but once again I underestimated Trump, "our supreme leader," as he apparently wants to be referred to. And, to a bunch of pandering Republicans in the Congress who refused to use their Constitutional mandate to enforce the War Powers clause. They will ultimately suffer at the polls in November for…
- By Alan HarnackMarch 11, 2026Once again, we’ve grabbed our guns, and sent our daughters, and our sons, to a place where wars, are never won; ALL IN THE NAME OF OIL. Venezuela and Iran, are full of oil, so, what do we do, we bomb their soil. The ground below, will begin to boil, ALL IN THE NAME OF OIL. We break up families, we break up friends; the split to our country, may never end. Will it…
- February 11, 2026To the editor: On Tuesday, March 10, 2026, residents of Minnesota’s 1,776 townships will have a unique opportunity to take part in Township Day. This annual event allows township residents to participate directly in local decision-making, a defining feature that sets township government apart. Township Day annual meetings give residents a direct voice in how their township is governed,…
- February 11, 2026To the editor: I live in Luverne and I also serve on the Board of Directors for the Southwest Crisis Center. The impression the closure of our organization’s physical office in Luverne would mean that residents of Rock County would no longer have access to our services in Rock County. While the Crisis Center will close our physical office here in Luverne, the services to the community are not…
- January 28, 2026Vos: '... rebuild Highway 75' To the editor: Wouldn’t it be nice if we could get some of the $9 billion back from the deceitful people in Minneapolis? We could rebuild Highway 75 from Luverne to Pipestone. Maybe we could make it four lanes (concrete) with curb and gutter, ornamental trees lining the highway and street lights all along the way. A few decorative rocks, maybe as mile markers, and…
- January 21, 2026Caucus meetings planned for Feb. 3 To the editor: I am the leader of the Rock County DFL. Minnesota's unique political process for the elections in November, for both Democrats and Republicans, begins on Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026 when all 24 voting precincts in Rock County will hold caucus meetings. These caucus meetings will help determine who is elected and what the party's platforms will look…
- January 14, 2026Ginn: Congressman Finstad: ‘We know what we saw’ To the editor: We know what we saw: Renee Good was murdered. She was killed by the state. In his statement, our Congressman, Brad Finstad, tweeted, "What happened in Minneapolis today is a somber reminder of the dangers ICE agents face while doing their jobs. These dangers have continued to escalate because of the anti-law enforcement rhetoric…
- December 23, 2025Strong, Brave and Hopeful This fall has been rough for Luella and our family. Luella began experiencing an increase in seizures over the summer, and in September a severe seizure on the school tennis court resulted in a concussion and eight stitches. Lingering concussion symptoms followed, and beginning in November she had six seizures in just four weeks. The physical and emotional toll was…
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Letters to the Editor
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The Star Herald encourages letters to the editor expressing the opinions of readers and intends to print all letters. Letters not meeting the guidelines will not be printed. The Star Herald will verify the authenticity of all letters. Letters must have the name of the writer, a signature and address. Unsigned letters will not be considered. The Star Herald will edit for grammar, spelling and clarity. We don’t publish letters with offensive language, libelous or slanderous material, or misleading or false information. Letter writers in these cases will be contacted. The Star Herald will not publish letters written with the sole intent to advertise or serve as a thank-you. Letters with more than 300 words may be edited. The deadline for letters is Monday 10 a.m. In addition to submitting a letter online, they may be delivered or mailed to the editor, Rock County Star Herald, P.O. Box 837, 117 W. Main St., Luverne, MN 56156.
