The word empathy is used a lot. Sometimes it is confused with sympathy, but they are different. When you feel sympathy for somebody those are your feelings, experienced by you. Sympathy involves what you feel when you witness another person’s suffering or terrible misfortune. You may feel ...

When tragedy strikes close to home, it leaves a mark that, hopefully, never fades. The recent shooting at Annunciation church and school has shaken Minnesotans to our core. Parents, teachers, neighbors, and all of us are asking the same question: how do we make sure something like this never ...

Time was when tailgating was universally frowned upon. Tailgating meant that an obnoxious motorist was following your vehicle so closely that he could read the care instructions on the tag of your T-shirt. Tailgating has since taken on another meaning. This term is now used to describe the ...

There’s a well known saying when it comes to career success that it’s not what you know, it’s who you know. It’s true in both urban and rural areas. It’s true in any part of the United States. As far as I know, it’s the case throughout the world. When I was in my 20s I didn’t ...

I walk or jog on Sleepy Eye’s Lake Trail. The trail has been a blessing. I used to run on the shoulder of Highway 14. That has become insanely busy. I was afraid of getting sucked into the wake of a semi-truck and ending up in Brookings. I mostly go on the quieter west side of the trail. In ...

The city of Marshall has recently presented to Council a draft budget and a preliminary property tax levy amount. All cities are required to prepare and adopt an annual levy and budget. By law, in Minnesota, the fiscal year of a city and all its funds must be the calendar year. The budget ...