Mentoring programs are great, but what about reading skills

Mentoring programs are a great thing.They help kids — mostly kids in single-parent families — gain confidence, and learn leadership and life skills from adults.

In a rush to deport, there have been deadly consequences

Can we all agree on one thing?Seeing Americans shot and killed on American streets by fellow Americans is not at all good.I’ve purposely waited to write about the killing of two people on the streets of Minneapolis by agents of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and U.S.

State lawmakers have a $471-million budget shortfall to close, and an expulsion effort to consider

The first time I walked into the State Capitol, I wondered “what is making all these people walk like Olympic racers down these halls?”I almost got run over by some walkers; the new guy needed to get out of the way.

Former state senator tries again to help Ukraine win war

A former Nebraska state senator, once again, is calling on the United States to do more to help Ukraine win its war with Russia.

‘Cornhusker Clink’ doesn’t help state’s image

No matter your opinion of immigrants, I think we can agree on one thing – having a federal detention center in Nebraska is not a good look for our state.

Trade war pinches farmers leading to $12 billion bailout

So much for cutting federal spending.Just recently, President Trump announced a new $12 billion payout to American farmers.It’s not a reward for great work – farmers produced another record crop this year.

There is still hope that we can work out our differences

If you’re like me, you probably have tuned in the latest, excellent documentary by Ken Burns, “The American Revolution.

Nebraska’s Carhenge not the only Stonehenge copy cat

I like to drive, and Nebraska gives you plenty of opportunities.The state’s best road trip might be up the old Oregon Trail, past Chimney Rock to Scotts Bluff. Scenic. Historic.In the fall, you can’t beat wandering the hills around Indian Cave State Park.

We deserve transparency, not ‘no comment’

There’s an old saying about government — “it’s not that ‘what is said isn’t so,’ it’s what is so isn’t said.

State climate report says it’s getting hotter

As I sit down to write this column, my tomatoes have finally met with a hard freeze and the cannas we plant in the local park are giving up their red-topped glory.It was one, long fall in my section of southeast Nebraska, with lots of warm days and only recently, a couple of cold snaps.