"It's almost Christmas, but there is no joy in the house of terminally ill Jack and his family. With only a short time to live, he spends his last days preparing to say good-bye to his devoted wife, Lizzie, and their three children. Then, unthinkably, tragedy strikes again....” more

Under the Biden administration, working-class Americans have seen trillions of their hard-earned tax dollars go toward policies and programs that disproportionately benefit the wealthy and well connected. more

With 95% of the world’s consumers living outside the United States, agricultural trade is an important pillar in our farm economy. Strong trading partnerships are key to a global economy and worldwide food security. Unfortunately, a proposal by the Mexican government to ban the import of corn developed with biotechnology threatens to upset the balance of trade between our two nations. more

I was at West Plains Bank this morning: Downtown! It was a hub of activity. My wife Sue and I were there to see Cheryl Finley. more

A little rain fell one Saturday night in the dog days of 2012. more

There's a pretty good reason why I haven't written any good "snake stories" so far this year. I've only seen a black snake resting on the tire of my truck and a garter snake in a flower bed — good snakes that no one gets excited about. I would guess that there's a copperhead around here somewhere, but we haven't ran into each other yet. Maybe this will be a copperhead-less summer for me, but it would be the first since I moved here in 1986. more

At Missouri Farm Bureau, we’ve talked extensively for more than two years about the global climate agenda and how activists continue to miss the big picture. Every United Nations, European Union and Biden Administration meeting seems to focus on the “climate crisis” and ways to save the human race. Now, it seems we’ve entered a new phase of the global climate agenda — animal sacrifice, and Europe is leading the way.  more

Oh, those were the days! more

Of the few truly important things in life, kids and livestock have to rank near the top. more

Well-informed instructors can have a powerful and positive influence on their students. That’s why we created an Educator Toolkit. It’s a shareable online resource for teachers to engage students and educate them on Social Security. more

I had just walked in the door from being at the horse races. Tired and a bit fuzzy headed, I was looking forward to a drowsy Sunday afternoon of watching sports. My wife walked through the door shortly afterward. more

Winter brings planning; spring brings planting, and summer, as is the case this year, brings prayers for rain. With Independence Day upon us, we also offer up prayers of thanks. The past few summers, it seems like there has been a nonstop weight on the minds of farmers and ranchers. In 2020 and 2021, we stared down a global pandemic — and all of the uncertainty that came with it. Last year, the conflict in Ukraine sent input costs through the roof, causing everyone, especially those in the fields, to sharpen their pencils and adjust their bottom lines.  more

When I was a little boy growing up in West Plains in the 1950s, I can still hear my Aunt Rogene say, “Dennis, isn’t it hot?” And keep in mind, not only were we experiencing one of the hottest and driest periods in Howell County — 1952, 1953 and 1954 — but also add to that, we did not have air conditioning in our homes. more

I grew up in a house with cold running water in the kitchen sometimes and an outdoor toilet always. Anywhere I’ve lived since has been a mansion in comparison. more

Well, folks, in case you missed it last Saturday, big changes are afoot at the Quill. more

June is Pride Month. It’s a time to acknowledge the LGBTQ+ community, and also celebrate diversity, love and respect. On June 26, 2015, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a decision in Obergefell v. Hodges, holding that same-sex couples have a constitutional right to marry in all states. more

“For who hath despised the day of small things? … They are the eyes of the Lord, which run to and fro through the whole earth.” Zechariah 4:10. more

Our truck and car both have cruise control. more

Is your family looking to vacation close to home but wanting to find fun family activities that incorporate various attractions and tours? Are you interested in exploring Missouri’s outdoors and its multiple state parks? Are you into art and history? Perhaps your hobby centers around entertainment, food and drink?  more

A few weeks ago on a Friday afternoon, the Jones family got to travel back in time — not exactly by choice. The chance meeting of my propane tank and a skid-steer resulted in the emptying of my propane supply that would rival Old Faithful.  more