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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,...

So Much For “The Fighting Sioux”

Announcer: Good evening ladies and gentlemen, we are coming to you live from the University of North Dakota, at the beautiful Ralph Engelstad...

The Code

This wonderful story was told to me by a friend who asked to remain anonymous: It was late in the afternoon, the day after Christmas. ...

My Adventure With Rug Making

  Many years ago when our children were quite young I decided to make a braided rug. I had dabbled in many crafts –...

Week Job’s Report In Line With Other Data

 The monthly employment/unemployment data from the US Department of Labor has become an important touchstone for every segment of our population. The following...

150 Year Old Battle Raises Familiar Questions

On September 17, a ferocious battle broke out over the future of democracy in the United States.  The year was 1862. 150 years ago this past...

There Is An App. For That

 With over 14,000 smart phone/tablet applications and counting, it can be difficult to sort through them for the best ones to aide you...