Opinion

The sad state of American politics

Published by admin on Wed, 09/20/2023 - 10:20am

Indictments. Impeachments. Name-calling. Infighting. Loggerheads. The current state of the American political system would make for a great joke if it wasn’t so sad.
The latest in the seemingly never-ending political folly came recently when Speaker Kevin McCarthy announced last week he is directing the U.S. House to open an impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden over his family’s business dealings.

Freedom really does work here

Published by admin on Wed, 09/20/2023 - 10:18am

I launched the “Freedom Works Here” nationwide workforce recruitment campaign in June to tell South Dakota’s story to America. South Dakota has seen unprecedented economic success over the last several years. This resulted in us having one of the lowest unemployment rates in the nation—but we still had open jobs to fill.
From the beginning, this campaign has been about filling job openings for South Dakota businesses. Our businesses are loving the results, and Americans are answering the call.

Revisiting Narnia

Published by admin on Wed, 09/20/2023 - 9:17am
After finding the 
“Chronicles of Narnia” movies I watched growing up, I decided to revisit the world of Narnia. I missed this fantastical place where deep truths are wrapped in childlike whimsy. This levity is too often pushed past in the day to day because we’re busy. We have things to do and deadlines to meet. 
Along the way, we forget the very truths our childhood taught us. We forget to laugh and find joy in the moment. We forget to have faith in our struggle for control. We forget that good can come from difficult things.

Money is ruining college football

Published by admin on Wed, 09/13/2023 - 3:03pm

It is often said that the love of money is the root of all evil. Whether or not you believe that to actually be the case, you can certainly see the effect that the love of money is having on college football. And it’s not good.

When the cows come home

Published by admin on Wed, 09/13/2023 - 3:01pm

Down in the yard below the house, mama cows with their hale and hearty calves come in to water at the tank in the horse corral. Some do the cow version of a sneak, some run like they’ve got someplace to be, and some chit-chat as they mosey in. It is a pleasant sight, and one we haven’t seen for months. It signals a change.

Agility, obstacles or spartan

Published by admin on Wed, 09/13/2023 - 9:03am
Hoops. Tunnels. High jumps and broad jumps. Steep ladders with challenging ascents and descents. Weaving in and out of obstacles.
This described the agility course Zeus dog went to last week.
When we arrived he was immediately “tunnel curious” and it turned out to be his best obstacle. Weaving, not so much.
And as much as he loves to jump, he seemed to jump highest while he was waiting his turn in the hallway as opposed to on the actual course itself.

So grateful to live where we do

Published by admin on Wed, 09/06/2023 - 10:04am

Another late summer, another devastating hurricane in Florida. Hurricane Idalia rumbled into Florida (and other states) last week, and with it brought catastrophic wind, storm surge and rain. It seems to be a broken record for Florida, as seemingly every year another devastating hurricane ravages a part of the state. It blows in, causes havoc, and blows out. In its wake, the state and its people are left to deal with millions of dollars in damage and shattered lives. It’s absolutely heartbreaking.
It makes us that much more grateful to live where we do.

Summers at Grandma’s house

Published by admin on Wed, 09/06/2023 - 10:02am

The goldenrod has been in bloom for a few weeks now, which according to folk wisdom, means that the first frost of the upcoming fall is just a few more weeks away. You may have also noticed that the wind too has begun to sneak a slight chill into its breeze and the trees are being smudged with bits of yellow. The annual appearance of goldenrod feels bittersweet. Like the way the changing direction of the wind bends their stems, I vacillate between nostalgia for joyful summers, excitement for the changing season or dread for the disappearance of warm weather.

Summers at Grandma’s house

Published by admin on Wed, 09/06/2023 - 9:03am
The goldenrod has been in bloom for a few weeks now, which according to folk wisdom, means that the first frost of the upcoming fall is just a few more weeks away. You may have also noticed that the wind too has begun to sneak a slight chill into its breeze and the trees are being smudged with bits of yellow. The annual appearance of goldenrod feels bittersweet. Like the way the changing direction of the wind bends their stems, I vacillate between nostalgia for joyful summers, excitement for the changing season or dread for the disappearance of warm weather. 

Striking a balance with newspapers

Published by admin on Wed, 08/30/2023 - 11:20am

One of my favorite newspaper mottos is “the only newspaper in the world that cares about (insert community name).” Over the years, I have seen various newspapers print it on their front-page nameplate. In many respects, the motto captures what a good newspaper is all about – publishing news and information about the community that informs and engages its citizens.
Sometimes that job is far from easy. Especially for newspapers intent on taking their journalistic responsibilities seriously.