Normally, the announcement of new children is a source of great joy. When folks proclaim they have added to their family, their friends, neighbors and sometimes random strangers ooh and ah as they celebrate the miracle of life. Except if you’re gay, especially if you’re a gay man in a high profile position. Then the…

Twenty years ago, the vision of America changed. Before that time, we thought we were safe. We thought that nothing bad could happen on a massive scale in the United States. That fantasy image of our country shattered abruptly on the morning of Sept. 11, 2001, as two planes crashed into the World Trade Center…

There are folks who have cried out in anger as statues and other symbols showcasing the Confederacy have been toppled over. These folks say that liberals are trying to hide or whitewash history, that even though these things keep the memory of villains alive, they need to be shown so that our past is properly…

Just when I think that modern civilization has hit the bottom, I have to dodge an airborne shovel. I awoke and opened up my laptop this morning to the news that a couple, Doug and Dedra Simmons who had set up a destination wedding in Jamaica, but they had a number of guests who did…

The other day, I was reading the news back home and came across an item about a $160,000 earmark for Arizona’s Christmas City, Prescott. The coronavirus pandemic put a lot of things in limbo last year, including funding for community events. The Christmas city program was no exception, and if you’ve ever been there, Prescott…

Cell phones have become an integral part of most of our lives, providing an easy way to contact friends, family and co-workers from almost anywhere we choose. Can’t find the location of my latest newspaper assignment? I call my boss. Can’t figure out which bread crumbs would be best for the baked macaroni and cheese?…

I found myself thinking about the late Richie Plass recently as I was browsing for news. He’s fairly well known among locals, but for those who aren’t aware, he was a Menominee and Stockbridge-Munsee who found out the painful way decades ago that being an Indian mascot isn’t all it’s cracked up to be, as…

When it comes to cheese, it’s safe to say that it’s loved by most folks. Everyone has their favorite, whether it’s a header full of cheddar or taking a knee for brie. You love it on pizza or as a dip for your chips, but most cheese aficionados. So why would Wisconsin want to go…

We always hear about the so-called War on Christmas, where people feel that they can’t say “Merry Christmas” for fear that you might be considered insensitive to those who celebrate other holidays, such as Hanukkah. If retail workers or others dare to say the all-encompassing “Happy holidays,” it’s seen as an affront to Christians. However,…

Have you ever noticed that when something gets popular, suddenly everyone wants a piece of it? You turn on the television and see some new music sensation or breakout movie star posing for cameras or some trend suddenly flip the switch in people’s heads that makes them think, maybe if I’m a part of it,…