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Columnists

FRED FIRST: Approaching the Longest Night

Yes, you’re right—if you’ve even noticed—that this space has been neglected for some weeks now, and it has been hard to figure out where and how to jump back...

A Life Well-Lived: Shirley Padgett Lester (1947-2025)

Shirley Padgett Lester of Vinton went to her heavenly reward October 4. Below is the...

BOB BROWN: How the White House Functioned With a Diminished Biden “Presidency”

Permit me to think out loud as an old-fashioned person who respects authority, history, and...

JOHNNY ROBINSON: The Gratitude Perch

On the old road up Mill Mountain, part of Roanoke’s fabulous greenway system, there’s a...

ROBERT L. MARONIC: Sometimes President Trump Needs To Think Before He Speaks – Part II

Contrary to what President Trump believes, I think that Lakanwal was adequately vetted before September 2021,...

SCOTT DREYER: Joe Cobb, Peter Volosin, Luke Priddy Tell Roanoke College Women Swimmers: “Shut Up And Obey The Males!”

According to my calendar, October 6 is "National Diversity Day." To quote Joe Biden, "Not a joke!" (I could also quote Biden with "travedy," "trueinternationalunderpressure,"...

Welcome To The Most Conflicted Holiday on The Calendar

The trouble starts with the very name of the thing, to wit, there never was an explorer named Christopher Columbus. He may have been...

White-Boyd Changes Colors For Election – Suetterlein Is The Best Choice For District 4

Suddenly, Roanoke City Council member and the Democrat candidate for VA Senate District 4, Trish White-Boyd has begun supporting “ tough on crime legislation!” Based...

FRED FIRST: So Little Time – So Many Rabbit Holes

The information tidal wave overwhelms and I float amongst the flotsam with dread and with delight, every morning when I sit down to pick...

MELINDA MYERS: Cutting and Enjoying Fall Perennial Flowers

Bring a bit of your fall garden indoors. Many of your fall flowering perennials make great cut flowers to enjoy in arrangements for your...

DEVOTIONAL: B.U.S.Y. (3)

(...) Returning and resting is what will save you; calmness and confidence will make you strong (....)  --Isaiah 30:15 (CJB) The phrase "24/7" is common...