A year and a half after Hurricane Harvey struck the Texas coast vacation destination of Port Aransas, residents are struggling to get things back to normal. Tourism is picking up, but not the throngs that flocked to fishing charters, nature sanctuaries and beaches in years past, before Hurricane Harvey hit...

By and large, Nebraskans are an independent lot, and don’t like asking for help. Sen. Ben Sasse, visiting flooded areas with Vice President Mike Pence on Tuesday, noted that Nebraskans who had lost everything in the flood were standing in line at shelters, but it was to volunteer to help their neighbors, not help for themselves...

Columnist Walt Sehnert’s story on this page about Gazette founder Harry Strunk should offer some insight into the impact the current flooding elsewhere in Nebraska will have over the coming months and years. Strunk used his personal drive and influence to make sure nothing like the 1935 Republican River flood occurred again...

Considering all the thousands of airliners in the air at any one time, a couple of crashes shouldn’t be that big of a thing. That’s small consolation if you’re about to get on one of the planes in question or know someone who died in a crash. In a private conversation, a commercial pilot once decried the amount of automation in a modern cockpit, citing an instance where a crew had to pull a circuit breaker to regain control of an aircraft...

Gov. Pete Ricketts’ pledge to not raise taxes is unpopular for those of us who depend on tax dollars for our salaries or vital public services, which includes everyone in the state in one way or another. For example, the University of Nebraska is the largest employer in the state with nearly a $1 billion budget, we spend more than $2 billion a year on Medicaid (before a voter-mandated expansion) and the current budget of $500 million a year won’t properly keep up our 10,000 miles of roads, according to the Nebraska Department of Transportation.. ...

If you’ve been on this earth four or five decades, you may remember the sound, that squealing, cracking noise emanating from the phone line as your Apple II or TRS-80 compter attempted to log on to a remote computer somewhere, you weren’t sure just where...

We’ve just adjusted the clocks to allow for the earth’s tilt toward spring in the northern hemisphere, but winter is not ready to release its grasp. McCook is on the edge of a winter storm warning for Thursday, but we’re in a flood watch starting Tuesday evening, with heavy rain predicted to create runoff problems, especially because the ground is still frozen and unable to soak up the water...

Of the two time changes a year, Sunday is arguably the worst. We always have good intentions of going to be an hour early to make up for the hour we’ll lose overnight, but hey, who wants to give up watching Saturday Night Live? You’d better have some freshly-ground coffee ready to go Sunday morning, or, especially, Monday morning...

A native of Canada and naturalized U.S. citizen, Alex Trebek once hosted three game shows at once, but he will forever be associated with “Jeopardy,” which he has hosted since 1984. With class and composure that surprised no one, Trebek, 78, announced in a YouTube video Tuesday that he has been diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer...

Ronald Reagon once joked that the “nine most terrifying words in the English language are ‘I’m from the government, and I’m here to help.’” The folks around Beauregard, Alabama, will certainly welcome offers of help from whatever source, although we’re sure it will initially come from neighbors and friends, the American Red Cross and other private organizations long before the federal government steps in. FEMA money, provided it hasn’t been diverted to The Wall, will arrive slowly if at all...

Cruise the alleys of the older parts of McCook and other small towns and you’ll notice structures that jog the memories of the older among us while baffling younger folks. For many of us, one of our first chores was taking the household trash out to the incinerator — that fireplace-like brick structure that has fallen into disrepair, been overgrown with vines or converted into a planter...

It’s hard to believe when we’re experiencing the coldest temperatures of the winter, but this is the last week of “standard” time. At 2 a.m. Sunday, we’ll all be forced to set our clocks ahead an hour, losing an hour of sleep and supposedly taking advantage of the longer days the earth’s tilt toward the sun provides this half of the year...

With nursing homes struggling to survive, are motels missing an opportunity? Check out one Texas man’s plans, which are getting plenty of exposure on social media. Granted, the Texan, Terry Robison, doesn’t need medical supervision, but his calculations make sense...

Anyone who has a dog for a pet probably won’t be surprised by a study from Michigan State University that dogs and their owners have more in common than they think. Are you a couch potato? Do you generally distrust strangers? Are you perky and energetic? Most likely, your dog follows suit...

The McCook Chamber of Commerce’s goal to make our town a great place to “live, work and play,” and that’s definitely a worthwhile goal. Without a way to measure progress, however, that goal is only a matter of opinion, and too often, the squeaky wheel gets the grease while other equally important parts of the wagon are neglected...

You’ve probably seen the evening news/entertainment stories about overworked, underpaid public defenders, and how little time they have to spend on each case. As a result, some defendants who are actually innocent plead guilty to crimes they didn’t commit for simple expediency...

It may be hard to believe when one reads court reports, crime stories or law enforcement news releases, but Nebraska is populated by people with higher traditional moral standards than average. That should be inviting to any business looking for hard-working, reliable employees, to anyone looking for a safe place to raise a family or a place to retire...

Over the years, it’s been interesting to watch trends that start in California as they spread to the rest of the country — or not. From skateboards to fashion to legal weed, things seem to start on the coast, only to arrive in the Midwest in time to be replaced by something else on the west coast...

We’ve long been a fan of Malcolm Gladwell’s 2000 book, “The Tipping Point,” which contends that minor changes can have big results. Perhaps some Nebraska lawmakers have read the book as well. Or, maybe the proposal, LB103, isn’t such a minor change after all...

Many of us, especially those who live paycheck to paycheck, can’t see beyond the weekly bills. We borrow money for cars, looking only at the monthly payments instead of the final cost of the car, thousands more, because it was purchased with the bank’s money instead of our own...

Creative people deserve to be rewarded for their talent and the hard work it takes to win an audience for their creations. That’s the purpose of copyright law, and it serves society well — top authors, actors, directors and musicians are among the highest paid people around...

With little effort, Southwest Nebraskans can enjoy choice, locally-sourced beef through a local locker plant, directly from a rancher or by placing an order at a steak house. But how many of us actually care where that T-bone was born? Fill up our shopping carts at the grocery or big-box store, and most of that food traveled hundreds or thousands of miles to reach our pantries or refrigerators...

The orderly rows of corn and soybeans, alfalfa fields and sweeping meadows of the Platte Valley, so peaceful on a calm spring day, was the scene of violent conflict in years past, as European settlers tried to make their way to the West Coast or build a home on the prairie by displacing Native Americans...

Giant brewer Anheuser-Busch InBev said today it “fully supports” corn growers and will continue to invest in the industry. “Bud Light’s Super Bowl commercials are only meant to point out a key difference in Bud Light from some other light beers,” it said in a statement...

Few media workers are more aware of the changes in recent years than someone who works at a newspaper, but a Sports Illustrated and PCMag survey about the Super Bowl shows television is feeling the pressure as well. The biggest broadcast of the year is increasingly being delivered via the internet instead of the traditional over-the-air or cable signals...

Congratulations to Sehnert’s Bakery and Bieroc Cafe for being one of only five eateries across the United States, and the only one in Nebraska, to earn an “America’s Classics” award from the James Beard Foundation, an organization honoring one of the first celebrity chefs...

We try to get the point across as often as possible, but it’s even more important that people hear the message now: You have something somebody needs, and only you, or someone just like you, can provide it. We’re getting a taste of winter weather, but only a taste, compared to our friends to the north and east, where temperatures could hit minus 30 degrees and wind chills of 60 below...

It happens at least once a day, usually twice or more. Your cell phone rings and the caller ID indicates a number with a prefix something like yours. It might even be a number that belongs to one of the friends on your contact list. But it’s not her; it’s someone talking about your credit care account, your car warranty or a student loan. Funny, your car has been out of warranty for 10 years and you never went to college...

A caller this morning pointed out that a caption on a photo on page 3 of Wednesday’s edition is apparently incorrect. Omaha tribe elder Nate Phillips, involved in a video recording of a confrontation with a Catholic boys school student at a demonstration in Washington, has described himself as a Vietnam vet. ...

If you’re of a certain age, one of your first money-making schemes may have been collecting pop bottles to return for the deposit, so they could be washed, refilled and sold back to you for a dime. A little younger, and you may remember a Seinfeld episode where Newman schemes to profit by collecting 10-cent Michigan refund on 5-cent New York bottles and cans, despite Kramer’s contention he “couldn’t crunch the numbers.”...

During the debate — including a government shutdown — that led up to the passage of the Affordable Care Act, we remember hearing a millennial’s plaintive cry about the unfairness of the “individual mandate.” “Why should I pay for something I don’t need?” That palm-to-the-forehead realization of a basic misunderstanding of the term “insurance” is bound to be repeated this election cycle, as the “Medicare-for-all” plank is inevitably nailed into the platform of the Democratic Party...

“I never let schooling interfere with my education.” Samuel Langhorne Clemens probably never uttered the above quote attributed to him, more than likely it was contemporary novelist Grant Allen. There is some wisdom in the sentiment, however, especially when it comes to the kind of education that leads to success in life...

It’s tempting to roll one’s eyes when we hear the complaint “there’s nothing to do!” in small towns. Usually, the complainer is a teen — OK, that’s an entirely different issue — or someone who’s unfamiliar with small-town life. With the slightest amount of effort, or with the unwillingness to say “no,” one can easily find every night filled with events involving a church, service club or business activity. But that’s only true if you are adept at making connections...

Few discussions can be divorced from current political events, and that includes a piece of advice from a life coach. “What is the Polarity of Your Goals?” Joe Tye, CEO of Values Coach Inc., asked in a recent newsletter. Do you want to make something happen, or prevent something from happening?, he asks...

It’s hard to believe that a favorite coffee stop, Ivanhoe’s Donut Shop, has been closed since 1996, 23 years ago. We remember owner Ivan Schmid visiting the newsroom every year, asking us to publicize one of his favorite causes, the Farmers Market that gave gardeners and other home business people a chance to share their bounty with neighbors...

We see the stories as the federal shutdown drags on. Canadian air traffic controllers buying pizzas for their colleagues south of the border, federal employees forced to work for nothing, leaving part-time jobs they took to try to pay their bills, food drives and suggestions for making ends meet...

Accused of being “the enemy of the people” and threatened with overturning long-established law assuring freedom to openly criticize American leadership, journalists might be forgiven for forgetting that the same First Amendment protects religious beliefs that may go against current political correctness...

Now that we’re 10 days into the New Year, how are you doing on your resolutions? Losing weight? Exercising more? How about decluttering your life? If the last one is on your list, you’re not alone. Marie Kondo wrote two best-selling books on just that subject and was named one of Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People...

Neither President Trump nor Democratic leaders Nancy Pelosi or Chuck Schumer likely changed any minds about the proposed border wall Tuesday night, and their appearances were likely more about political theater than actual construction, more about the 2020 election than illegal immigration...

Great ideas and good intentions combined with somebody else’s money too often spell disaster when they meet harsh economic realities. It’s usually worse when that “somebody else” is the American taxpayer. Mix in Keynesian “prime the pump” efforts like those that followed the 2008 recession, and you’ve got a disaster waiting to happen...

Spend any amount of time channel surfing, and you’ll get plenty of advice for healthy living, usually requiring four easy payments for the latest mechanical exercise doo-dad. Wait a couple of years, and you’ll probably be able to pick up the same piece of equipment, barely used, for pennies on the dollar at a garage sale...

It’s been an exciting couple of days for space geeks. China successfully landed it’s Chang’e 4 craft on the far side of the moon, sending back photos of its rover on the lunar surface. The craft is named after a Chinese goddess who, according to legend, has lived on the moon for millennia. No word on whether Chang’e has greeted her new visitor...

A pair of Nebraska state senators hope to get medical marijuana on a state ballot next year — yes, that’s 2020 — and thousands of words and hours of video have been devoted to the legalization of medical and recreational marijuana. Completely separate is the issue of legalized hemp production, and proponents are doing their best to keep the two products as separate as possible in an effort to boost a legitimate industry...

It’s always sad when Christmas is over, but it’s a special downer when you have to go right back to work, as many of us did today. There may be another reason you’re feeling a little blue this year after the relatives have gone home and the gifts are missing from under the tree...

A staff member recently recounted a conversation with a friend, who expressed frustration about his ignorance of several important area stories. The reporter was puzzled, since she had personally written stories about some of those stories, and the others had appeared in prominent positions in this newspaper...

You’ll probably see a lot of national news stories about a federal criminal justice bill designed to counteract the excesses of the nation’s failed war on drugs. The Senate passed the bill Tuesday, the House is expected to do the same this week, and President Donald Trump says he’s anxious to sign reform into law...

Budgets can be tight this time of year, so it’s easy to imagine an essential bill — like natural gas or electricity — might fall through the cracks. If you receive a call about one of the above, however, don’t assume you’re at fault. The McCook Police Department reports that it’s received several reports of callers claiming to be a utility provider, advising the victim that their bill is past due, and directing them to send payment immediately via Money Pak, a wire transfer service...

Time is running out to get things done in 2018. You’ll receive plenty of advice on last-minute tasks such as using the money in your medical spending accounts, making charitable contributions, selling stocks or making other financial moves for tax advantage next year...

We’ve already celebrated Thanksgiving, but Thursday’s events provide more reasons to be thankful. Gratitude that kids were safe despite being evacuated from our elementary school, as well as thankful we have the right people in place to respond to emergencies like the collision that tied up a major intersection all afternoon...

Hard-core James Bond fans might be shaken to be told their hero has a problem, and perhaps stirred to make some changes in their own drinking habits. Analyzing six decades of 007 films, a study (http://bit.ly/2PxJo0u), “License to Swill,” published in the Medical Journal of Australia, concluded that Bond, James Bond, indeed has a drinking problem...

Critics are decrying the Environmental Protection Agency’s proposal to change the definition of the “Waters of the United States” as leaving “vast amounts of wetlands and thousands of miles of U.S. waterways” without federal protection. What’s not often mentioned is that the definition has only been in effect for three years and if tightly enforced, could cripple states like Nebraska, where a majority of the population lives in areas where many activities could require permission from Washington.. ...

Deaths resulting from overdoses from opioids and other drugs are the leading cause of poisoning fatalities in the U.S., and deserve the attention they have been receiving. The death of a New Orleans couple in an AirBNB in Mexico put the spotlight on another deadly poison — carbon monoxide...

If a tree falls in the forest and no one’s around to hear it, does it make a noise? If a school serves healthier lunches, but kids don’t eat them, are the meals really healthier? No, according to Ag Secretary Sonny Perdue, who eased school lunch rules as part of the Trump Administration’s push to cut back regulations across the board...

Dr. John Cullen of Valdez, Alaska, felt like something was a little off with one of his patients. Cullen, who has 25 years of experience, was about to take a patient to the operating room to remove his appendix when he asked one last question: “We’re about to cut you open here. Are you sure you don’t want to tell me anything else?”...

Politics and political correctness have wormed their way into “the most wonderful time of the year.” It’s almost impossible to avoid taking sides when deciding whether to say “Merry Christmas!” or “Happy Holidays!” Someone attuned to the #MeToo movement noticed enough hint of sexual assault in the classic yuletide tune “Baby, It’s Cold Outside,” (“Hey, what’s in this drink?”) that some radio stations now refuse to play it...

If you’re still Christmas shopping for kids, there’s one detail you might want to consider when buying a gift. What kind of box does it come in? That’s because the young one on your list might be better off playing with the box the toy comes in. While advertising pushes educational and brain-stimulating toys, often based on tablets, kids are better off playing with traditional toys like blocks, puzzles — and even cardboard boxes...

The fact that George H.W. Bush, who died at 94 on Friday, was the youngest pilot in the Navy in World War II illustrates just how rare veterans of that war are becoming. Their wisdom and experience has served us well and will be sorely missed. It’s no stretch to say Bush was “born with a silver spoon in his mouth,” but the way he used that opportunity should be an inspiration for us all...

Sorry, Payless, anyone who spends much time on their feet knows you can’t scrimp when it comes to footwear. A few extra dollars pays off in spades if it means the difference between comfort or misery at the end of a long day. However, the company did make a good point about perceptions in a recent publicity stunt that resulted in a lot of ... publicity...

County-owned Hillcrest Nursing Home is keeping its head above water for now, but a financial tidal wave is on its way. Nebraska voters’ decision to expand Medicaid, coupled with vows by the governor and like-minded lawmakers to avoid tax increases at all costs mean that the dwindling number of private-pay nursing home residents see their resources drained further...

Memories come flooding back as we unpack the Christmas decorations each year — a couple’s first holiday together, baby’s first Christmas, gaudy Kindergarten creations too precious to discard. It’s also tempting to pull Grandma’s antique colored lights out of storage and plug them in, for old time’s sake...

Stories about GM’s decision to lay off 14,000 employees and possibly close five factories sometimes included the statement that the action was taken so the company could concentrate on new electric and self-driving cars. That’s despite the news that the all-electric Volt was one of the models the company planned to stop producing...

Black Friday isn’t the zoo it once was, thanks in part to today’s Cyber Monday that finds too many of us shopping online when we’re supposed to be working. Still, no click of a mouse can beat the holiday feeling that a stroll down main street in brisk winter weather can create as we visit a mom-and-pop store in search of the perfect present for a loved one...

No good deed goes unpunished — or at least hijacked for evil purposes. The latest example is a handy email service offered by the United States Postal Service to let you know what mail will be delivered each day. That way, you’ll be on the lookout for important letters and packages the day they’ll be arriving...

If the conversation seems a little subdued and strained around the Thanksgiving table Thursday, it may be the leftovers. No, the food will be fresh, but those inclined to enjoy a few too many drinks the night before may not be in a mood to talk. Kids home from college, friends and family in from out of town and the knowledge that the following day is a day off have combined to make the Wednesday before Thanksgiving one of the biggest party nights of the year...

The migrant “caravan” or “invasion” is much less in the spotlight now that the mid-term elections are out of the way, but now that 3,000 of them have poured into Tijuana just south of San Diego, Calif., the reality is making itself apparent. While American citizens who would block the asylum-seekers were accused of being racist prior to the election, some Tijuana residents have no problem telling the migrants to head back south in no uncertain terms, and without fear of being accused of bigotry...

It would be interesting to see how Medicaid expansion would have fared in Nebraska had it been worded differently. As it was, the initiative passed on the promise that it would extend medical coverage to more Nebraskans, boost the economy and improve the viability of smaller hospitals...

Long-time car dealer Howard Kool and retired teacher Gene Weedin are raising funds for a piece of emergency equipment we hope and pray is never needed. The “mobile ballistic barrier” would be deployed in shooter situations, such as protecting EMS crews responding to the scene...

Cruise social media today and you’ll see many Veterans Day posts honoring those who have served in the military. We owe much to them, not least of which is the opportunity to prosper under our form of government. It’s easy and proper to say “thank you for your service,” but the words aren’t much comfort to a veteran who is having a hard time finding a job...

A number of schools plan special Veterans Day ceremonies Friday honoring those who have served in the military, in anticipation of Sunday’s official Nov. 11 observance. There’s no shortage of war veterans, extending backward from today’s conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, through Vietnam, Korea and World War II, and, sadly, veterans of those later wars listed are rapidly passing into memory...

Despite the scoreboard, elections are not a zero-sum game. Yes, the Democrats took control of the House by taking away seats from the Republicans, and the Republicans maintained control of the Senate by taking away a couple of seats from the Democrats...

Baby Boomers have long dominated American life, but the post-war generation has lost enough members to the point that younger generations make up a clear majority of the voters in Tuesday’s election. But will Generation X, Millennials and post-Millennial voters actually turn out in enough numbers to make a difference?...

Three former military men and a former secretary of state have seen a lot, but they don’t like what they see now. Madeleine Albright, secretary of state under Bill Clinton, and retired Gen. Colin Powell, who served in key foreign policy posts under Republican presidents condemned the current political climate during a lecture in Omaha on Tuesday...

Most new homes are much more energy-efficient than those built decades ago, with thicker walls, more insulation and better windows, plus they contain appliances like furnaces, water heaters, refrigerators and even toilets that use less energy. New zero-energy building standards have taken hold in Europe and spread to the United States, with the goal of creating as much energy — through passive and active solar, wind and other renewable energy sources — on-site as is used by the home...

If you’re like most cell phone owners, you’re probably aware that a good percentage of the calls you receive are junk calls at best, outright scams at worst. Tonight’s record $1.6 billion Mega Millions jackpot presents an opportunity for crooks to steal money from hopeful, vulnerable people...

The headline was sure to raise the ire of patriotic fans of the Second Amendment. “Vietnam War veteran sentenced to 7 years in prison for buying ‘rare’ gun in the 1980s”. A television station reported that a Plano, Texas, man, Alfred Pick, 70, was sentenced to seven years in prison for buying a rifle like one he carried before briefly being taken as a prisoner of war in Vietnam, where he was awarded the Silver Star...

Teenage years are an exciting time for kids and their parents, and school and extracurricular activities are an important part of helping them become productive adults. Parents, especially in rural areas like McCook, may breathe a sigh of relieve when the first kid gets a drivers license and can drive himself to events without the parent taking time off, but they know there are expenses and risks involved...

Before you’re too critical of Nebraska’s new, $450,000 tourism slogan, consider the alternatives we’ve tried in the past: There was “Nebraska Nice,” “Send a Postcard from Nebraska,” Come See What We’re Up to Now ... meh. While most of us will fall back on “Nebraska, the Good Life” when asked about a state slogan, the new, official tagline rolled out Wednesday is “Nebraska. It’s not for everyone.”...

Some steady drinkers like to joke that New Year’s Eve is “amateur night,” when those who don’t imbibe regularly tend to have one too many. Regular lottery players might make the same joke today as they wait in line to buy a Mega Millions ticket, which, after nearly three months without a winner, could be worth $654 million in tonight’s drawing...

It was sad to hear the news that former retail giant Sears had filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy over the weekend. From childhood memories of the Sears Christmas catalog arriving in the mail, to visits to the giant Chicago skyscraper that used to bear its name, the company was an American icon...

If you have any money in a savings account, you know the interest you earn is in the low single digits. The stock market is an attractive alternative — earning an annual interest rate of 11.69 percent from 1973 to 2016, but higher returns are always accompanied by higher risks...

Most of us tend to look the other way when it comes to the criminal justice system. Unless we’re a victim or the accused, it’s easier to worry about our own issues than what’s going on in court. That’s true until the bill comes due for mistakes and abuses by law enforcement and prosecutors...

We saw a recent study that showed surprising reasons why people live longer. Stopping smoking, good diet and medical care, exercise and marital status were on the list, of course. But among the top reasons? How much we interact with people around us...

Political discourse is reaching new lows in America. The latest example is Jimmy Kimmel’s guest appearance by porn star Stormy Daniels, who had a chance to chose the appropriate mushroom as a reference in her alleged encounter with now-President Donald Trump...

Agriculture is Nebraska’s major industry, and it’s a profound activity, once someone gives it some thought. Using things as simple as light, water, soil, seed and fertilizer, farmers create valuable products like corn, soybeans and wheat in unbelievable quantities...

Here’s a quiz for you. Which claimed more American lives: A.The war in Vietnam B. The 2017 influenza season If you guessed B, you were right. Officially, 58,220 Americans died in Vietnam, but according to preliminary data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 80,000 died from the flu last year...

Our big celebration this weekend originally started as German Heritage Days, but somehow was changed to simply Heritage Days over the years. McCook does have a strong German heritage, as noted by Walt Sehnert in a column a few years back. It’s an interesting bit of reading...

Their parents and grandparents worried about their children watching too much television, but today’s young parents are dealing with an entirely new phenomenon. The glowing television screen replaced the fireplace hearth in the 1950s, but today’s homes may contain a dozen glowing screens accompanying children everywhere they go...

Is a decline in divorce a sign that young people are adopting more traditional views? It might simply be the pendulum of social change at work, but regardless the cause, it’s a good sign for the future generation. According to an analysis by University of Maryland sociology professor Philip Cohen, the U.S. divorce rate dropped from 18 from 2008 to 2016...

Republican leaders will have difficulty shepherding Brett Kavanaugh’s Supreme Court nomination through the Senate by the end of the month, or even after, in the current climate. That climate currently includes the sentencing of former America’s Dad and #MeToo poster boy Bill Cosby, convicted of drugging and raping one woman and accused of attacking many more...

It wasn’t originally planned that way, but Sunday night’s Christian concert, postponed by snow last winter, turned into a great kickoff for this year’s Heritage Days week. Sidewalk Prophets, with openers Carmen Justice and Bonray, delivered an enjoyable concert of contemporary and alternative Christian music to a good crowd at Memorial Auditorium...

Retailers are the backbone of any community. Most people got their first jobs at a retail establishment, whether that was within the food industry or some other retail outlet. Retailers are the first ones we look to when garnering support for local charities or community events. Retailers make our communities vibrant and attractive for not only residents but also for visitors. In Nebraska, retailers account for 14 percent of our gross domestic product...

Earlier this year, we wrote about a trend in England that no doubt raises alarm among certain American parents, who we’ll discuss later. While our school playgrounds all contain UL-approved soft plastic equipment atop ground-rubber flooring, some British school have replaced that with stacks of two-by-fours, crates and loose bricks, mud pits, tire swing, log stumps and workbenches with hammers and saws...

There are reporters who dream about receiving this kind of assignment. The assignment in question was one performed by Omaha World-Herald reporters this summer, after one of them noticed State Auditor Charlie Janssen leaving Brewsky’s, a popular Lincoln sports bar, about 3:15 p.m. Monday, June 4...

If you’ve jumped onboard the fitness tracker fad, you probably know all about the 10,000-step rule. Your Fitbit, Apple Watch or another wearable device probably comes pre-set to cajole you into taking 10,000 steps — a number endorsed by the World Health Organization, the American Heart Foundation, and Health and Human Services as a good goal for better health...

Nebraska, being number-one in Sports, and Fan Support. We want to now be known as number-one in the percentage of eligible residents (in all parties) voting in national elections. In elections starting with the 2018 national elections, we will show our percentage of voters showing up to the polls, will be the highest for our state, and will challenge other states and territories to try to beat us...

A friend likes to joke that he and his wife are going out to look at their phones while they have lunch together. Wait in line for more than a minute, and you’ll probably find your self and queuemates pulling out your smartphone to check Twitter or Facebook, check the news or your bank balance...

We’ve editorialized repeatedly about the importance of our local community college and the opportunity it offers for personal growth. With Andy Long making a lateral move to the McCook Economic Development Corp. — and already leaving his mark in positive growth — his successor as MCC Vice President, Kelly Rippen, is looking forward to hearing ideas from the public...

The McCook Chamber of Commerce’s goal of making McCook a good place to live, work and play is a worthy one, and the state’s conditions give it a good head start, according to the latest study by a personal finance website. WalletHub ranks Nebraska as the 10th “Happiest State” in the U.S., using 31 key indicators of happiness, ranging from emotional health to income level to sports participation...

If you’re worried relaxing marijuana laws will lead to more use among youth, there’s probably good reason. Exposure to mind-altering drugs of any kind at a young age can have lifelong consequences. Some of the biggest changes in recent years, however, have occurred at the other end of the spectrum, according to a New York University study...

Economics 101 courses usually include a discussion of “guns vs. butter,” i.e., whatever is spent on national defense can’t be spent on consumer goods. The formula is ignored on the national level — guns AND butter, thanks to deficit spending — but Nebraska can’t have its cake and eat it, too, thanks to the requirement for a balanced budget...

Nike pushed the “any news is good news” mantra to the limit with its decision to hire Colin Kaepernick for its latest “Just Do It” campaign. Some publicity-savvy public figures were known for telling reporters “just spell my name right” when questioned about stories that cast them in a less-than-favorable light...

“In those days, Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. And everyone went to their own town to register.” (Acts 2:1,3) Not every census has become part of a story repeated annually for 2,000 years, but that doesn’t mean every census isn’t important...

The United States isn’t a pure democracy, but is instead a republic or representative democracy, depending on whom you ask. Most laws are created through debate and compromise by leaders elected to do just that. In other cases, the decision is made directly by the people — such as the recent execution of Carey Dean Moore, which was conducted after Nebraska voters overturned a decision by the Unicameral to eliminate capital punishment in the state...

Fighting poverty is a complex process, involving family structure, economic development, education, support systems and many other factors. As home to a community college, McCook has a chance to play a part in this important cause, according to a new report...

If you take a low-dose aspirin and a little red wine every day in hopes of avoiding a heart attack, you may be in for a disappointment. Check with your doctor before changing your habits, of course, but you may want to check out a couple of new studies...

Anyone who thinks there’s nothing to do in a small town has probably never lived in one. Small-town folk know how to make their own fun. At the slightest hint that you’d be willing to volunteer for a community activity, you’re likely to find yourself busy every night of the week...

Former State Sen. Mark Christensen of Imperial joined in a lawsuit to block a statewide vote on expanding Medicaid to an additional 90,000 residents in Nebraska. Along with State Sen. Lydia Brasch of Bancroft, Christensen technically argues that the proposal violates the Nebraska Constitution by including more than one subject, and violates other rules...

We’ve noticed several social media postings decrying the lack of emphasis on hands-on skills like woodworking and mechanics in modern schools. While it’s true vocational classes have suffered cuts in some schools, hands-on creativity is thriving more than ever, thanks in part to opportunities offered by that same social media...

We’ve noticed several social media postings decrying the lack of emphasis on hands-on skills like woodworking and mechanics in modern schools. While it’s true vocational classes have suffered cuts in some schools, hands-on creativity is thriving more than ever, thanks in part to opportunities offered by that same social media...

Carey Dean Moore was 21 when he shot an Omaha cab driver while he and his 14-year-old brother were robbing him to buy drugs and pornography. Five days later, he shot another, he said, just to prove he was capable of taking a man’s life on his own. Arrested after a week, he was eventually convicted of first-degree murder and his younger brother of second-degree murder...

The Gazette has covered its share of crime over the years, but concentrating on the crimes ignores the factor that makes them newsworthy — serious crime is rare in Southwest Nebraska. Yes, our history has its share of murders — several unsolved and recent enough that we’re still hoping to find more information to share with our readers...

The early, carefree sharing of cat pictures and jokes have given way to learning that our old cold war enemies haven’t given up on Nikita Khruschev’s vow, “we will bury you.” Instead of nuclear weapons, however, they’ve resorted to tactics used by Caesar — divide ut regnes — “divide and conquer.”...

If you’ve ever moved, you know drill. “Where did my (fill in the blank) go?” New Nebraska football coach Scott Frost had that question when he checked the garage in his new home, undergoing renovation in Lincoln. Missing was an estimated $172,600 worth of football memorabilia, including two Nebraska championship rings, 10 Oregon championship rings, two Central Florida championship rings, five pairs of Air Jordan shoes, football helmets and a gaming console...

There’s a general consensus that texting while driving is dangerous, but how about learning? Kids might not be in the physical danger caused by distracted driving, but their education may be in danger. Teachers face a dilemma; their students need “screens” to function in the modern world, but those cell phones and even school-issued computers can be a big distraction to young people already prone to daydreaming...

We’ve all heard the jokes about guys with jacked-up trucks and oversized tires are making up for inadequacies in other areas. If you haven’t, never mind. There may be a similar overcompensation at work when it comes time to walk down the aisle. According to a study of 3,000 married people, the more you spend on a wedding, the less likely it is to last...

Say “money” and an image of that silver coin rattling in your pocket or that green bill folded in your wallet comes to mind. When it comes down to it, however, money is anything two people, the buyer and seller, agree it is. The Pacific islanders who use huge, round stones with holes drilled in the middle come to mind...

“Unarmed man shot and killed in front of five-year-old son” “47-year-old man forced to shoot younger man who attacked him” Both could have been headlines for a recent Florida incident and either one shows a valid point of view. The sheriff in charge of the investigation says he won’t seek charges against the older man because of his state’s Stand Your Ground law, but will forward the information in the case to prosecutors for further review...

Italy had an interesting fashion trend a number of years ago. The most popular men’s shirts all seemed to have something in common, a broad black stripe extending from the left shoulder to the right hip. It really wasn’t a fashion statement; purchasing the shirt was an act of civil defiance, striking a blow against interference with personal freedom...

Nebraskans are hesitant to complain about rainfall, but like anything good, too much is a bad thing. Sudden rainfall made rural travel hazardous in parts of the county, and flash-flood warnings have been common of late. If you were out Wednesday evening, you may have noticed a City of McCook truck cruising the streets, dispensing pesticides to keep the mosquito population at bay...

You have probably seen the insurance company that has you plug a device into your car, then charges you according to your driving habits. That may be a good deal for you, then again, maybe not. If you’re a good driver, you’re trading your privacy for a break on premiums. If you’re a bad driver ... well, you’ll pay the price...

Papa John’s founder John Schnatter probably thought he was in a “safe space” last May when he decried today’s political correctness. He turned out to be wrong. Schnatter was on a conference call to a marketing firm in a role-playing exercise to try to prevent further public relations fumbles like the ones he committed earlier while talking about National Football League national anthem protests...

By one count, 23 kids have died from being left in hot cars so far this year. Sadly, since July is the most dangerous time for hot-car deaths, that number may have climbed between the time it was written and the time it was read. One of the latest was a 3-year-old boy who died after only 35 minutes in a locked car in Texas on an 86-degree day...

Nebraska is coming from behind when it comes to renewable energy, despite recent progress like a solar farm at Kearney and wind farms in northeast Nebraska and elsewhere. Drive through northeast Kansas and western Iowa, and you’ll be greeted with great, white whirling wind turbines. Those, plus solar arrays and hydroelectric plants can be spotted almost anywhere you drive on your summer vacation...

If you’ve been mowing the lawn or outdoors enjoying another summer evening — thanks for spraying for mosquitos, City of McCook, and please keep it up — you may just be getting around to reading today’s Gazette. If so, you may already know who President Donald Trump has nominated to replace retiring Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy...

McCook’s Work Ethic Camp was created with the goal of helping ex-cons transition back to being productive members of society. That role has eroded with the overcrowding of Nebraska’s prison system, but a new trend may make it easier for convicts who have paid their debt to society to get back into the legal workforce...

If you’re one of the 47 million Americans who expects to drive more than 50 miles away from home on even this mid-week Independence Day, there’s one more thing to worry about. Besides drunk drivers and other travel hazards, you might want to take extra precautions when it comes time to fill up your tank...

The Republican Party’s traditional image as a friend of business took a hit today as the U.S. Chamber of Commerce rolled out a major campaign against the party leader’s trade policies. The same day, his long-time lawyer, who recently said he would do anything to protect the president, had a change of heart...

We hope you’re making sure your pets have plenty of water and shade these days when the temperatures are in the triple digits. The same goes for you if you have to spend any length of time outdoors. A lot of construction workers and others know that it’s smart to get started in the cool of the morning to allow a break in the heat of the day...

Nebraska is doing a good job taking care of its kids, according to the 2018 Kids Count Data Book just released by the Annie E. Casey Foundation. Based on health, education, economic security, family and community, Nebraska is second in the nation. The report — http://bit.ly/2MuMkJR — shows improvements in the number of Nebraska children in poverty, children whose parents lack secure employment, living in a household with a high housing cost burden, and in the number of teens not in school and not working.. ...

If you’ve ever been or lived with a small-town volunteer firefighter, you know how it goes. You’re about to take the burgers off the grill, and the pager goes off. Just before the second bite of your hot dog, the town siren sounds. Yep, that’s the Fourth of July in rural Middle America...

Taking factors such as property taxes, homeowners’ insurance fees, mortgage payments and income into account, a financial technology company has rated Red Willow County one of the most affordable places to own a home in Nebraska. SmartAsset’s study rated McCook No. 4 in the state, behind Alliance, Lexington and Schuyler, and ahead of Chalco, South Sioux City, York, Papillion and Gering...

This was the first year we heard TV weather people refer to “meteorological” summer as June 1, but today’s the official first day of summer. We’re having 15 days of sunlight in McCook today — maybe a skosh more since we’re a few miles north of the 40th parallel, which forms the Kansas-Nebraska border...

When it rains, it pours. You can say that again. Believe it or not, McCook is officially still slightly behind normal precipitation for the year —9.51 inches since Jan. 1 compared to a normal 10.10 — but Mother Nature did her best to help us catch up...

Some people swear by cannabidiol, a compound derived from marijuana that doesn’t get users high, but can help control seizures. A British company should have a decision by the end of the month on whether its version will be approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration...

The movie the Incredibles was a favorite for many, and many of us are looking forward to the sequel, Incredibles 2, now, 14 years later. Hollywood loves it when a movie generates “buzz,” but Disney wasn’t really looking for this type of publicity. It turns out, a sequence involving bright flashing lights associated with the villain Screenslaver can trigger seizures in people with epilepsy, migraines or chronic illnesses...

You’ve probably seen the meme floating around your social media feed: “Five things nobody keeps in their house anymore” The list: DVDs, CDs, file cabinets, wall calendars and take-out menus. Probably true for a lot of us, in the days of smartphones, iPads and streaming media...

Nebraska is a great place to raise a family, but we’ve got a long way to go when it comes to keeping our teen drivers safe. According to a WalletHub study (http://bit.ly/28LjlRb), Nebraska ranks near the bottom judging by 23 key metrics such as the number of teen driver fatalities, average cost of car repairs and impaired-driving laws...

Attendance was up at nearly all events for the 22nd annual Buffalo Commons Storytelling and Music Festival, according to organizers. The Fox Theatre was full for Saturday night’s finale, and headliners joined with regular performers in singing praises of the nourishing, welcoming atmosphere that permeates the spring event, named in defiance of those who would depopulate our corner of the nation...

They say things happen in threes, but there’s no reason the superstition has to prove true in this case. We remember reading an interview with celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain, who said his job, traveling the world in search of culinary adventure, was actually a lonely one...

Swimming in the lake or pool is one of the enjoyable activities of summer, but not if it results in spending several precious weeks out of commission. Between 2000 and 2014, about 500 outbreaks of cryptosporidium infections were linked to pools, spas and water parks, and more than 27,000 people were made sick and eight people died as a result of the parasite...

Remember the Camel News Caravan? Probably not, but it aired on NBC News from early 1949 to late 1956 and was named after a brand of cigarettes when they could be advertised on television. The show was only 15 minutes long. Chet Huntley in New York and David Brinkley in Washington, D.C., took over the show from John Cameron Swayze in 1956, renamed it the Huntley-Brinkley Report and expanded it to a half hour in 1963 a week after CBS stretched Walter Cronkite’s show to the same length. ...

You can get in a lot of trouble on social media; just ask Roseanne Barr or hundreds of other public figures or private citizens who have lost their jobs or suffered other consequences of careless online statements. You’ve probably seen private family disputes played out on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter, and if you’re like most of us, you don’t want to see any more...

Christians who feel their beliefs are not being given weight equal to those of other religions may find some small comfort in today’s Supreme Court ruling regarding a Colorado baker’s refusal to bake a wedding cake for a same-sex couple. Baker Jack Phillips was found guilty of violating Colorado’s law against discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation after he refused to bake a wedding cake for Charlie Craig and Dave Mullins in 2012...

A 2010 article by conservative commentator Dennis Prager is again making the rounds, set as a speech “every American High School Principal should give.” The ideas in the piece, targeting today’s emphasis on political correctness and diversity, have about as much chance of becoming part of official policy as a mandatory Klingon language curriculum, but it does make some points...

We’ve always preached that anyone who lacks education beyond high school is missing a great opportunity if they don’t take advantage of McCook Community College and other resources available in our area. That remains true, with summer classes beginning June 4 and Mid Plains Community College announced that students as young as 16 can get a jump-start on the healthcare field through the Nursing Assistant course...

A controversial video game that allows users to act as a school shooter has been pulled from the market, but not for the reason you may think. Valve Inc. said Tuesday it would pull “Active Shooter” from its online gaming platform, but only because the controversy uncovered reasons other than the simple school violence portrayed...

This Memorial Day weekend will be special in Danbury, where special services Sunday will honor one of the sons of Southwest Nebraska who gave their lives in the war in Southeast Asia. Danbury native Capt. Daniel Wayne “Danny” Thomas took off on an orientation flight in a small, OV-10A aircraft in January 1971, and didn’t return. In 2014, the crash site was discovered in Vietnam’s central highlands, and his body was returned last November...

It’s hard to fault any action that will potentially reduce the number of nuclear weapons in the world, but North Korea’s destruction of a test site was likely more symbolic than anything else. The hermit kingdom first hedged its bets by calling Vice President Mike Pence a “political dummy,” then invited journalists in to watch it set off a series of explosions over several hours at the Punggye-Ri site in North Korea...

Fingernails scraping a blackboard sends a chill down the spine for most of us, but what about a sound that has the opposite effect? That’s what millions of people are claiming with a new online activity called ASMR, which some wags have dubbed “whisper porn.”...

The Gazette and other newspapers have known for a long time their basic medium — “paper” is in their name, after all — would be costing more because of political action beyond their control. A temporary delivery problem has forced the Gazette to drastically limit production and delivery until the crisis passes, but long-term prospects are just as troubling...

Cellular phones used to be a safe haven for those who didn’t want to receive telemarketing calls. Those days are long over, to the point that many of us won’t answer a call from a number that’s not already in the contacts list on our smartphone. “If it’s important, they’ll leave a message” seems to be the mantra. Texting or SMS or Facebook messaging is more and more the connection of choice, and not just for millennials or younger...

Perhaps it’s no coincidence that the first idea for an editorial that popped up the day after an election was the fact that May is Mental Health Awareness Month. We joke about being “Coocoo for Cocoa Puffs” and sell leftover merchandise during “Crazy Days” but mental illness is “funny like a heart attack” as the saying goes...

At times it seems Old Glory is permanently at half-staff. The older — make that “more experienced” among us remember when seeing the flag anywhere other than the top of the pole was unusual. When it was, we usually didn’t have to ask — President Kennedy had been assassinated, or a space shuttle had exploded...

The earliest European explorers arrived in what is now Nebraska by following the rivers, natural pathways to the mountains where they hoped to find their fortune in furs or gold. Later travelers were linked to Utah via the Mormon Trail, or Oregon via wagon train...

If you’ve signed up for anything online, you may have been amused by the final box you’re asked to check. It’s the one that’s labeled “I am not a robot.” Soon, we may all be hoping for a similar, more effective system for our telephones. If you’re like most of us, you’ve probably noticed an uptick in nuisance calls trying to sign you up for insurance, “free” vacations or credit cards...

You may know how to drive a tractor, but do you know how to balance a drink and plate of hors d'oeuvres while exchanging small talk at a cocktail party? Maybe you’ve shown your calf at the State Fair, but how about visiting Asia to find out about the beef market?...

There’s so much news coming out of Washington and elsewhere that it’s tempting, even wise, to shut off the electronics and spend time in the garden or reading a good book. That said, you might want to keep an eye on President Trump’s actions this afternoon when he announces his plans concerning the Iran nuclear deal negotiated by former Secretary of State John F. Kerry under President Obama...

It’s easy for modern, 24-hour news outlets to apply superlatives like “hero” to a wide range of characters, deserving or not. We’re more inclined to go along when the person involved is on the front line of any conflict — soldiers, police, first responders — jobs that require training and dedication far above standards most of us have to meet for our occupations...

This won’t be a piece about the pro-choice, anti-choice, pro-abortion, anti-abortion issue, although perhaps it should be. Instead, it’s about different types of mammals, and humankind’s relationship with them. Like many issues, it seems straightforward enough...

Making our community “a better place to live, work and play” is an important objective, as voiced by the McCook Area Chamber of Commerce’s mission statement — but what does it take to do that? We’ve been grappling with that question for decades, and although we have much of which to be proud, there’s definitely room for improvement...

Shop at home is a common and worthy mantra, but covers only so much of the local economy. Whether bought at the corner mom-and-pop store, or by clicking “buy it now” an e-tailer’s site, your purchases likely have something in common. At some point, they’ve both been hauled into town in the back of a truck...

“I’m bored!” It won’t be long until parents throughout Southwest Nebraska will hear those words, emanating from the mouth of a child who only a week or two before was happy to be free of an environment designed to give his brain a full-throttle workout...

Arriving home after a long day at work, there’s nothing like being greeted by someone who’s delighted to see you, accepts you unconditionally and would like nothing better than spending time with you. A dog can do all of the above, as well as prodding you to get the exercise you know you really need, with, ahem, unpleasant consequences if you don’t take him for a walk...

If you have Google maps installed on your smartphone, you may or may not have noticed the “Your timeline” feature. If it’s enabled, you can check back on any particular day to see where you were at any particular time, how long you were there and where you went next...

Can money buy happiness? It depends on whom you ask and what criteria you use. The United States, for example, has some of the richest people in the world, but is only the 18th happiest, according to a GOBankingRates here. Americans make an average annual wage of $46,467, have an unemployment rate of 4.1 percent...

Stories are emerging now about the many chances authorities had to prevent a deranged young man from going on a killing spree at a Waffle House in Tennessee. Reportedly convinced Taylor Swift was stalking him, he was arrested last July for allegedly attempting to jump the fence at the White House...

From what little most of us can see cruising down the main highways through Southwest Nebraska, it seems like oilfield activities are picking up. If you think so, you’re right. That’s because crude oil is approaching $70 a barrel, up nearly $20 a barrel fom a year ago...

With Colorado, California and Washington legalizing recreational marijuana and medical marijuana legal in many other states, an important issue is rarely raised. Impaired driving. Alcohol is the traditional problem when it comes to driving, but drug-caused motor vehicle accidents will climb as marijuana is more widely used...

The United States will always be vulnerable to manipulation as long as we’re a free and open society, governed, at the most basic level, by public opinion. That’s not lost on Russia, which uses every tool available to meddle in foreign affairs to its own advantage...

Barbara Bush has always been known to speak her mind, a breath of fresh air in the years before the current administration when every utterance was vetted and scripted. From her doubts about President Clinton failing to remember encounters with a certain intern to expressing her doubts about another member of the Bush family in the White House, she was always good for an honest perspective on current events...

We wish McCook Economic Development Corp. director Andrew Ambriz all the best as he moves on to a similar position in Broken Bow. He and his wife recently welcomed a new baby, and we completely understand a desire to share a growing family with grandparents and other family members...

U.S. senators get mixed marks when it comes to their knowledge of social media, displayed during this week’s grilling of Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg. Sen. Orrin Hatch: “If (a version of Facebook) will always be free, how do you sustain a business model in which users don’t pay for your service?”...

“Here men from the Planet Earth first set foot upon the Moon. July 1969, A.D. We came in peace for all mankind.” So reads the plaque affixed to the Apollo 11 lander that still rests on the Sea of Tranquility. Peace still reigns on the moon, but perhaps the last sentence should have been amended to include “(for now.)”...

It’s no secret that exercise makes you feel better, and prevention is always better than a cure. Two unrelated studies — one actually a compilation of 23 existing studies — offer helpful advice for adults as well as the future generation. The University of Michigan review of other studies found that as little as 10 minutes of physical activity per week not only helped decrease symptoms of depression and anxiety but actually provided a significant boost to a person mood...

We used to allot at least half an hour to go through newsroom mail in the Gazette, but the advent of email has cut the number of letters to a couple a day. There’s little or no time savings, however, since it takes the same amount of time or more to go through email, even with much of that traffic being automatically routed into trash or junk mail folders...

We hate to break it to you, but you may have heard it before. There’s no free lunch. Or, as one commentator put it, if the service is free, you’re the product. Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg is busy doing damage control after it was revealed that a British firm improperly accessed data on up to 87 million Facebook users to help Donald Trump’s campaign...

Most of us live in small towns by choice, because we love the comparatively slow pace of life, short commutes and safe, friendly neighborhoods. Regardless of the size of the town where we live, the residents need basic services such as utilities, food, education and, especially in emergencies, medical care...

China has threatened to impose a 25 percent tariff on $50 billion worth of U.S. goods — including soybeans and beef — the former our biggest export to China, the latter only recently reinstated for import after a Mad Cow scare a dozen years ago. The threat comes in retaliation to President Trump’s threat to impose a similar amount of Chinese goods on the heels of action against washing machines and solar panels...

Is it time for an old-fashioned spring cleaning? Have you noticed you seem to come down with a cold or flu a little more often than you should? Whether you’re a germophobe or a little more casual with your relationship with household microbes, NSF International has some news that might interest you...

Who is your U.S. Representative? Name three of the original 13 states. Who is in charge of the Executive Branch of the U.S. government? How many of those questions, part of a test for immigrants who wish to be naturalized, could you answer? How many could your friends answer?...

OK, so your chance of winning the $502 million Mega Millions jackpot tonight is roughly one in a billion — 302,575,350, officially. But what if you did win? It has happened. Back in 2006, eight Nebraska workers at ConAgra’s ham processing plant shared a similar fortune when they pitched in to buy a Powerball ticket that turned out to be worth $365 million...

Donald Trump’s presidency is nothing if not exciting, and his threat to veto the omnibus spending bill over lack of funding for a border wall with Mexico was only a minor blip in the overall scheme of things. Grandstanding aside, his suggestion that the wall be built with Defense Department funds is intriguing when one looks at the numbers...

One of the ironies connected to the debate over assault-style weapons is the inverse relationship between politics and the firearm business. Things were booming for them with the election of Barack Obama and gun-control fears, and sales dropped off with the election of Donald Trump...

If you’re worried that somebody’s watching your every move, there’s more news to stoke your paranoia. If you think somebody should be paying better attention, there’s assurance that that’s happening as well. And, if you think massive social networks give away their services for free, we’re sorry to disabuse you of that notion once and for all...

To outsiders, Nebraska can be something to be endured, rolling through the flattest part of the state on Interstate 80, peering out of a window when momentarily awakened during an early-morning Amtrak stop, or pondering the purpose of all those circles on the patchwork quilt observed from 38,000 feet...

Tobacco use — mostly cigarette smoking — is the leading cause of preventable disease and death in the United States. It kills more than 480,000 Americans annually, and costs more than $300 billion a year, according to FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb, M.D...

Sometimes the appearance of safety is more dangerous than no safety at all. One example is car seats — strapping a child into a car seat may meet the letter of the law, but it may not be enough if you’re in a serious accident and the seat is improperly secured...

There’s an old saying that laughter is the best medicine, and that’s more welcome than ever today, which someone has designated “National Let’s Laugh Day.” Not that we shouldn’t pay attention to bad things that are going on in the world; we need to stay informed and involved. But it’s no surprise that today’s 24-hour news cycle can leave many of us down in the dumps...

Flight attendants have a tough job, especially on today’s crowded flights, with unkempt passengers frustrated from delays and TSA indignities, attempting to bring “service animals” like peacocks aboard. And while we’re generally against overregulation, we’re sympathetic with U.S. Sen. John Kennedy of Louisiana, who planned to file a bill today to prevent airlines from putting animals in overhead bins...

The Freedom of Information Act, signed by President Lyndon Johnson in 1966, generally provides that any person has a right, enforceable in court, to obtain records from federal records. There are nine specific exemptions, including personnel, medical, classified, trade secrets or others, but otherwise, the law promotes open government...

Are conservative politicians ogres who don’t care about children and the needy? Is Nebraska living beyond its means when it comes to taxpayer-supported services? That’s the debate that goes on every time the state budget is set, and especially this year when revenues aren’t keeping up with expenditures...

President Trump has backed off a proposal to raise the age limit for purchasing certain types of rifles to 21, but has put forth a plan to encourage some teachers to be armed. Quite a change from recent years when students have been disciplined or expelled for biting a sandwich into the shape of a pistol, or pointing at a classmate, wiggling a thumb and saying, in a high-pitched voice, “pew-pew.”...

Humans have tried all types of means of selecting mates, from marriages arranged for social or political reasons, to romantic fantasies cultivated by Hollywood to internet couplings created by computerized compatibility algorithms. With the growth of DNA analysis for genealogical, medical and legal investigation, it was probably only a matter of time before someone attempted to combine it with matchmaking...

We’ll spare readers a semi-annual rant about the stupidity of Daylight Saving Time — it really doesn’t save anything and, in fact, creates more problems than it solves. Although “spring forward” is popular for those of us who like to use the extra hour for outdoor activities in the afternoon, we’d be tempted to endorse any candidate with a “dump DST” plank in their campaign platform...

“And I suppose if your friends were all jumping off a cliff, you’d do that too!” Maybe you heard your mother say that right after you pleaded to be allowed to (fill in the blank) because “Everybody’s doing it!” Opponents of LB 1009, advanced to general file, to allow the Department of Transportation to raise speed limits statewide say the state is using the same logic as your teenage self...

More than 1.5 million homes were out of power in the Northeast this weekend as a powerful nor’easter caused flooding and wind damage from Virginia to Maine, leaving at least five people dead from falling trees. A snowboarder was killed by an avalanche in California, and northeast Nebraska was in a blizzard warning today...

It’s that time of year when winter has ceased to be a novelty and those who don’t like complaining about the cold weather are finding it hard to stick by their convictions. There is hope, however, if one knows where to look for it. You’ll notice there are more hours of daylight after work, and if you listen closely, you’ll hear the burble of sandhill cranes heading south, following their celebrated reproductive activities in the Platte Valley...

When a city-slicker thinks of farming, images of a pitchfork and two-cylinder tractor may come to mind. Surely agriculture is something to be left in the past as today’s young people head off into the high-tech future. Nothing could be farther from the truth. Instead, that technology is transforming the way food and fiber is produced, and many of our youth are agriculture in their future...

Nebraskans aren’t prudes by any stretch of the imagination, but when it comes to attracting new businesses, we are quick to emphasize our puritanical work ethic and stability. That doesn’t mean there isn’t room for improvement — say, the size of Cherry County — but compared to other states, we rank 42, toward the bottom, when it comes to the seven deadly sins...

When driving fast is outlawed, only outlaws will drive fast. That twist on the old gun slogan seems to have some merit, according to the Insurify car insurance comparison site. Nebraskans rank high in the list of “outlaw” states, No. 5 in the top 10, but there’s more to it than simply exceeding the posted speed limit...