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Column: Neb. ag group leader: Pillen's tax plan unfair to lower-wage earners (7/26/24)Deborah Van Fleet | Public News Service (NE)As Nebraska state lawmakers convene for a special session on property tax reform called by Gov. Jim Pillen, groups are weighing in on the details Pillen has released so far. The governor's goal is to cut property taxes by 40% to 50%, which includes the state taking over funding of K-through-12 schools. A majority of the additional revenue needed would come from higher sales taxes and/or eliminating sales-tax exemptions for around 100 goods and services...
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Editorial: Korean War veterans; a legacy of bravery and sacrifice (7/26/24)On this National Korean War Veterans Armistice Day, we pause to honor the extraordinary courage and sacrifice of those who served during the Korean War, a conflict that profoundly shaped our world. As we commemorate the end of hostilities on July 27, 1953, we remember the immense contributions of the brave men and women who fought to defend freedom on the Korean Peninsula...
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Column: Fences, politicians, tradition and ambition (7/26/24)Aren’t these interesting times? Between an assassination attempt and a presidential campaign abandoned, former President Trump named a new VP candidate, J.D. Vance, who deserves a prize for political inoculation. The millennial Vance made himself the hero of his own autobiographical drama while confessing to multiple crimes long before he entered politics. It all seems a bit too perfect, and perhaps it is...
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Column: A wonderful time of the year any time of the year (7/25/24)Linda Taylor | MCFFAnyone who visits my house sees two signs posted around my home. One signs says: “It’s the most wonderful time of the year!” This is a sign that you would normally see at Christmas. But every week and month can be the most wonderful time of the year — it is up to us to make it that way...
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Column: Recalling fun time, unexpected romance at the fair (7/23/24)1Recalling fun times, unexpected romance at the fair The big events are the demo derby, concerts, rodeo, and more. To each his own, but this old guy is more attracted to the events involving the youth of our community, particularly the 4-H events and those that involve animals. Possibly it goes back to my youth as a kid raised on a farm...
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Editorial: Telehealth should remain part of service to rural areas (7/19/24)Gov. Jim Pillen’s mandate for Nebraska state workers to return to their offices, upheld by the Court of Industrial Relations, marks a significant shift from pandemic-era remote work arrangements. However, while returning to traditional work settings might benefit some aspects of productivity and collaboration, we mustn’t entirely abandon the advancements in healthcare that emerged during the pandemic—specifically, the expansion of telehealth services...
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Column: Community, transparency and value (7/19/24)Earlier this week, I found myself on the learning end of a conversation about the state of local newspapers. The conclusion drawn was that although local newspapers perform a vitally important function in our rural communities, they still suffer from the challenges facing the newspaper business writ large...
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Column: Balancing Nebraska's three-legged stool (7/19/24)On Thursday, July 25th, Governor Pillen will bring the Nebraska Legislature back to Lincoln for a special session with the important goal of taking on Nebraska’s out-of-control property taxes. From the farmer to the homeowner alike, property taxes are frequently referred to as a top, if not the top, issue that they are facing. ...
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Column: County fairs shape our communities (7/18/24)County fairs shape our communities Most of us don’t need an excuse to eat more pie, to talk longer with our friends or to fawn over bunnies, but for the next couple weeks, we have all the more reason to do. It is county fair time. Why do people plan their summers around them? Why do they look forward to them all year round? Why do parents spend countless hours helping their children with 4-H projects?...
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Editorial: Time to celebrate McCook's new Aquatic Park (7/18/24)Excitement is bubbling over in McCook, Nebraska, as we celebrate Wednesday’s grand opening of the city’s brand-new Aquatic Park. Far beyond just a replacement, the park features a lazy river with adjustable speeds, two diving boards in a competition pool, a zero-depth entry area for young children, multiple spray features, and an array of exciting slides, including a plume slide, a speed slide, and a family slide designed for shared enjoyment. ...
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Letter to the Editor: Yes, Democrats and mainstream media – You own this (7/16/24)3Dear Editor, I have lost count of the occasions whereupon Democrat politicos and members of the press, via broadcast and print media, have directly and indirectly compared Donald Trump to Adolf Hitler or Benito Mussolini, or otherwise made similar defamatory characterizations of the former president. ...
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Column: Pausing to remember (7/16/24)1Pausing to remember At the persuasion of Grannie Annie your old columnist has been working on an obituary. Mine! Actually two versions. One for my friends from the Academy Class of ’59 and my 20 some Air Force years. The second for those in this community in which I’ve served and gotten so much in life over the past near half century. You’ll have to wait for the finished project. I’m ready but in no hurry!...
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Column: Taking on the high cost of education (7/15/24)It’s well known that higher education can serve as a stepping stone to a career. As Nebraska, and especially rural Nebraska, sees a workforce shortage of important careers such as healthcare professionals and educators, higher education is quite important. But for many young Nebraskans, the price tag simply seems too high. Despite this, there are some great opportunities here in Nebraska that equip students to better take on the cost of education...
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Column: Stranger than fiction (7/12/24)Back in the days when I was publishing, one of the more popular features I picked up was called “News of the Weird,” distributed by the syndication arm of the Chicago Tribune. The column was a collection of then-current news stories that zeroed in on all things quirky and unusual...
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Column: Numbers tell the story of McCook's new Aquatic Park (7/11/24)Numbers tell the story at McCook’s new Aquatic Center 1937, 10, 8 to 9, zero There are a lot of numbers that come to my mind when I think about McCook’s new aquatic center, which is scheduled to open Wednesday, July 17. 1937 - That was when McCook’s first public pool was built as a WPA project, meant to get people to work during the Depression. ...
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Editorial: Don't fall into the 'roommate parenting' trap with your children (7/11/24)Numerous styles have emerged in the evolving landscape of parenting, each with its own set of principles and practices. From gentle to authoritative parenting, these approaches offer a variety of ways to nurture and guide our children. However, a troubling new trend has surfaced, one that threatens the very foundation of child development: “roommate parenting.” This phenomenon, characterized by parents who engage minimally with their children, is causing serious repercussions in both behavior and education.. ...
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Letter to the Editor: Will we survive the next seven months? (7/9/24)3Dear Editor, It is said that an ancient Chinese curse reads: “May you live in interesting times” … Well, my friends, here we stand. Despite the mainstream media’s disgracefully disingenuous efforts to portray otherwise, most Americans are now aware that President Joe Biden’s cognitive decline was and is far more advanced than party operatives would have us believe. ...
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Column: I love a parade (7/9/24)1Yes, your old columnist loves a parade, and our neighbor Culbertson has the best! For years I have driven my Model T and observed the crowd from the inside, but this year Grannie Annie and I elected to watch from the sidelines along with our five great-grandsons and their parents...
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Editorial: 988 is a good start, but better response is needed (7/5/24)A recent report evaluating Nebraska’s 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline system sheds light on both its successes and critical areas for improvement. While the state has made commendable strides in managing the lifeline’s call center operations, the gaps in mobile response and inpatient care are stark and demand immediate action...
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Column: Josh the Otter and the Chevron Decision (7/5/24)There has been much talk recently about Supreme Court decisions regarding abortion and presidential powers. Those issues get the headlines, but small “L” libertarians are paying attention to a less-discussed but far-reaching decision. Last Friday, the court released a decision overturning a 40-year precedent that instructed lower court judges to defer to reasonable agency interpretations of ambiguous federal statutes...
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Editorial: Rethink fireworks for a safer holiday (7/2/24)As we approach the Fourth of July, it’s essential to reflect on our traditions and consider their impact. In 2022, Nebraska imported $23.2 million worth of fireworks, translating to $11.83 per resident—the second-highest per capita spending in the country. While fireworks are a staple of our celebrations, it’s time to reconsider the scale and safety of their use...
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Column: Fireworks, family fun and community spirit (7/2/24)It is coming up; the kids will love it and dogs hate it. Fireworks that is, and the excuse is Independence Day or, as most call it, the 4th of July. Most of the surrounding small towns will have a celebration one way or another and McCook is planning a big family event also. Choices...
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Column: Patriotism and independence (6/28/24)As we approach our national birthday, I wonder about the future of the holiday–and the future of patriotism in general. We notice that some friends and neighbors observe the holiday with great reverence while others immerse themselves in the trappings of summer holidays that have made the recreational pursuits of Labor Day and Memorial Day eclipse the meaning of those holidays...