Three large daily newspapers in Alabama shuttered their presses on Sunday after one last print run. The Huntsville Times, Birmingham News and Mobile Press-Register are no more. more

Here is the final excerpt from a memoir by Norma Lee (Lowe) Bird about small town life in Hepler, Kansas centered around a family grocery store and other businesses 1946 - 1954. — J.T.K. more

There’s nothing quite as exciting as finding a new author who writes books that are so good that you: a) can’t put them down; b) continuously recommend them to others; and c) anxiously await news that a new book will soon be published. more

There are folks out there who believe everything is negotiable and don’t like their beliefs challenged. more

"Which part of Walmart is the most profitable?" I was a college intern at the Branson, Missouri Walmart, and the store manager had just asked me this question. Of course, I answered, "electronics or automotive." But, he said, "it's the clothes, don't ever forget it's those clothes that pay our salaries because they have the biggest profit margin." Profits matter. more

If someone asked you if you are a “caring person,” what would your answer be? I am pretty sure you would say, “Yes, I am. I care about others.” Now for the next question. What does “caring” really mean? more

The days are getting longer. This has been so since before Christmas, but the daily changes have been so small as to avoid notice. But around the middle of February--around Saint Valentine’s Day--the daily changes become larger. more

In a couple weeks it will be seven years since Laura Stocker's family and friends gathered by the hundreds to say their goodbyes and pay their final respects. A number of her clients were in attendance as well - such was her impact on this world. She wasn’t just full of life. She was full of kindness and joy - both of which she shared with everyone she's ever known. more

I’m willing to bet that, like me, a lot of Chiefs fans reading this found themselves both ecstatic and depleted for a few days after the Super Bowl — as the ‘cardiac kids’ again came back to win in the final seconds. more

Citizens of Pittsburg, we have an opportunity to make a difference in the quality of life both for ourselves and for all residents of Pittsburg. Imagine Pittsburg, a citizen-driven visioning effort, is now going through an update process called IP3.0. Right now until the end of February it is hosting an online survey where you can give your opinion. You find it at www.surveymonkey.com/r/HQ8SSBC more

I suppose one might say Ann Coulter was the last straw. (And thanks to Nelson Toburen for the letter!) But honestly, this reset of our daily Perspectives section has been in the works for several weeks. more

I read Lois Carlson's excellent article on President's Day yesterday. She reminded us that decisions by our Presidents can and will affect our individual lives for years to come.  FDR's push for Social Security in 1935 and John Kennedy's passion for space exploration are both examples of how presidential decisions made years ago continue to affect us in many ways. more

The following is the second excerpt from a memoir by Norma Lee (Lowe) Bird about Lowe's Grocery & Mercantile in Hepler beginning in 1946. It continues her look at small town life centered around a small grocery store and other businesses. Poignant scenes that were duplicated all through rural Kansas. Last week I mistakenly wrote that Norma Lee now lives in Oswego. It’s Ottawa. — J.T.K. more

Please, Mr. Editor, can’t you find someone a bit more moderate, fair minded and respected across the political spectrum than Ann Coulter to feature on your op-ed page, someone like David Brooks for example? more

I remember watching Mike Tyson's boxing matches on TV in high school. He didn't just box. He hurt people. I remember watching one match where Tyson hit another boxer hard, and he went down. Then, he got up again, and Tyson knocked him back down. more

Some 21 months before the 2024 election, the Democrats seem decided on renominating Joe Biden for the White House. But this apparent resolution contains the unsettling air of a party that is settling for something it would prefer were not the case.   more

Would you like to feel more connected to your family? Kansas State University Nutrition Specialist Sandy Procter says parents are serving up a lot more than nutritious food when they insist that their families eat meals together. more

Daylight hours are increasing, flowers are pushing up through the ground, if not actually blooming (I’ve had jonquils out for a week now!), the sounds of children playing outside once again echo throughout the neighborhood; they all announce the same thing — spring is just around the corner. more

You might be looking for the “six simple rules” version, but the truth is that success isn't so simple. But in the interest of brevity, here are two simple rules that will at least get you pointed in the right direction.  more

Heating your home with wood is not only environmentally efficient, but can be a lot cheaper too. Personally, my home is all electric heating, but since we put in an outdoor wood burner last fall, it looks like we are saving over $200 a month. However, there is one part of heating your home with wood…what to do with all that ash? more