Opinion

Alan Sparrow is co-owner of the Polk County News. Find his column, Alan’s Anecdotes, each week in the newspaper and online at www.polkcountynews.net.

Alan Sparrow is co-owner of the Polk County News. Find his column, Alan’s Anecdotes, each week in the newspaper and online at www.polkcountynews.net.

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Life Changing Experience

Alan Sparrow
Wednesday, March 15, 2023
A number of years ago I took my oldest to his first outdoor adventure day. It’s an event put on in southeast Nebraska every spring where they break up into multiple stations where you can fish, shoot clay pigeons, muzzle loaders, archery and learn other outdoor skills.
Jana Hughes represents District 24 in the Nebraska Legislature. Read her column from time to time in the Polk County News.

Jana Hughes represents District 24 in the Nebraska Legislature. Read her column from time to time in the Polk County News.

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Gun Debate Continues

Jana Hughes
Wednesday, March 15, 2023
Last week the Unicameral held the first round of debate on LB77, a bill that would allow Nebraskans to carry a concealed firearm without a permit. Last year, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in a 6-3 opinion in New York State Pistol and Rifle Association v.

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Grace Notes

Grace Notes Devotional Reflections By Caroline
Wednesday, March 15, 2023
One fond memory I have from my childhood is that of my father walking up the lane that led from our large farmyard to the field. Just a few days prior, he had planted corn in the piece of ground just west of our grove, and already he was eager to see if the seeds had already sprouted.
J.L. Schmidt has been covering Nebraska government and politics since 1979. He has been a registered Independent for more than 20 years.

J.L. Schmidt has been covering Nebraska government and politics since 1979. He has been a registered Independent for more than 20 years.

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Voter ID Proposals are Anything but Cut and Dried

J. L. Schmidt - Capitol View
Wednesday, March 15, 2023
Three proposals to cover the solution looking for a problem -- voter ID -- have proven to be about as confusing as the proponent’s explanation as to why the idea was necessary. After a lot of listening and a bunch of head scratching, I’m still not convinced. The only thing I know for sure, in Sen.
Adrian Smith represents the third district of Nebraska in Congress. Read his column from time to time in the Polk County News.

Adrian Smith represents the third district of Nebraska in Congress. Read his column from time to time in the Polk County News.

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Taking a Stand for Rural America

Adrian Smith
Wednesday, March 15, 2023
Agriculture producers in Nebraska have earned their standing as world leaders in agriculture through their excellence and tradition of respecting the natural resources with which our state is blessed.
Deb Fischer represents Nebraska in the U.S. Senate. Read her column each week in the Polk County News

Deb Fischer represents Nebraska in the U.S. Senate. Read her column each week in the Polk County News

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A New Kind of Agriculture

Deb Fischer
Wednesday, March 15, 2023
My colleagues and I on the Senate Agriculture Committee have already begun working on the 2023 Farm Bill, a package of critical agriculture legislation passed only once every five years.

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March is Kidney Month

News Staff
Tuesday, March 14, 2023
More than 20 million Americans – one in nine adults – have chronic kidney disease and most don’t even know it. More than 20 million others are at increased risk for kidney disease. Your health care provider can check to see if you are at risk or have kidney disease.
Beth Sparrow is co-owner of the Polk County News.

Beth Sparrow is co-owner of the Polk County News.

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Benchwarmers & Women

Beth Sparrow
Wednesday, March 8, 2023
Here we are at almost the end of basketball season. I want to recognize the benchwarmers, those that are last to go in and don’t play much.
Alan Sparrow is co-owner of the Polk County News. Find his column, Alan’s Anecdotes, each week in the newspaper and online at www.polkcountynews.net.

Alan Sparrow is co-owner of the Polk County News. Find his column, Alan’s Anecdotes, each week in the newspaper and online at www.polkcountynews.net.

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Time for a Change

Alan Sparrow
Wednesday, March 8, 2023
About a year ago the Senate voted to end the switch between daylight saving time (DST) and standard time (ST). If it had become law, we would have DST all year round. I don’t dislike the time change in the spring. I HATE it. It messes up my sleep schedule for a long time.
Rick Holtz is a co-owner for the Polk County News. Find his column, Reporter’s Notebook, from time to time in the newspaper and online at www.polkcountynews.net.

Rick Holtz is a co-owner for the Polk County News. Find his column, Reporter’s Notebook, from time to time in the newspaper and online at www.polkcountynews.net.

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I Love Video Games

Rick Holtz
Wednesday, March 8, 2023
I have a confession to make: I love video games. I find it so relaxing to be able to pick up my Nintendo Switch after the kids go to bed and after I talk about my day with my wife and play a good Mario level. I grew up playing Mario and Sonic games.