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Five years of Marsy’s Law: Building belief in justice that sees people
BY DR. EMILY BONISTALL POSTEL A victim of domestic violence who knows she has the constitutional right to be notified if her abuser is released. Parents whose murdered child is honored through their right to be consulted by the prosecutor before a plea deal is offered. A survivor standing in court, reading her victim impact
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Government shutdown: A political stalemate with no end in sight
If you are like me, you have questions and concerns about the latest government shutdown. As I said recently, it feels like a political football, something both parties keep kicking back and forth while the country waits for resolution. Federal funding expired at midnight Sept. 30, 2025, when Congress failed to pass spending legislation for
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Is Congress hypocritical?
The American government shutdown impacts about 1.4 million federal workers, with roughly 700,000 furloughed and another 700,000 deemed essential continuing to work without pay. This number does not include the 42 million Americans who rely on SNAP benefits. About 13,000 air traffic controllers and about 50,000 TSA officers are currently working without pay. Once the government shutdown
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History of trick-or-treating
If you were like me and my friends growing up at Nolan, you looked forward every October to Halloween and trick-or-treating. We were not allowed to go out wandering around after dark. We know the days get much shorter at this time of year. So it gets dark a lot earlier in late October, even
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A happier and more peaceful America
America’s continued national success is dependent on all of us—the American people. Our American people are what makes America a great nation. We have a beautiful land, plenty of natural resources and a great heritage. Yet, it is our everyday actions that make America great. Everyday actions make a difference. For example, do not randomly
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Dear Editor: Thanks to county road crew
Dear Editor: I would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank Mr. Eric Phelps, Mr. Titus Marcum, and the county road employees for cutting the weeds up Poplar Fork along the ditch lines and creek banks, as needed. They did an outstanding job which allows the road to look so much better/different. I’m sure
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It is just common sense
I have been trying to keep from writing too many political columns. As they say, “Don’t discuss politics or religion.” But sometimes I just cannot keep silent. To me, many of these issues are not conservative, liberal or even moderate thinking, but just common sense. Some of the news that has circulated over the last
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You are an influencer
Your life may not make a national impact but who knows how far your life might reach? The people, friends, and family you influence today may have a tremendous impact on many others. You never know what an acquaintance or child might grow up to do or become because of you. The difference you are
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What’s the drip?
BY MADISON MOONEY Hello Martin County residents. My name is Madison Mooney. I work for the nonprofit LiKEN Knowledge (short for Livelihoods Knowledge Exchange Network) as their community care coordinator. I have been doing water-related work with LiKEN for over four years here in Martin County. Between my time with LiKEN and the prior four
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Local newspapers keep communities strong
BY DEAN RIDINGS AMERICA’S NEWSPAPERS Strong communities don’t just happen. They rely on connection—residents knowing what’s going on, businesses reaching the customers who keep them open, and citizens having the facts to make good decisions. Local newspapers provide that connection in ways no other source can. In today’s fractured media environment, trust is the rarest
