Opinion
Latest Opinion
OPINION: Supporting local journalism supports this community
The Local Journalism Sustainability Act was recently introduced in the House and has now been introduced in the Senate — and will benefit every member ... Read more
4 days ago by Submitted.
LASATA: July is Ice Cream Month
According to the International Dairy Foods Association, the average American eats about 23 gallons of ice cream per year, and over a billion gallons of ... Read more
2 weeks ago by Kim LaSata.
LASATA: Celebrate National Blueberry Month in southwest Michigan
Blueberries are a delicious, nutritious, ubiquitous summer treat. It’s easy to take them for granted today, but it was not that long ago when blueberries ... Read more
3 weeks ago by Kim LaSata.
KAUFMANN: Be proactive with water safety
Summertime is water time, especially in this year of record-setting heat. Whether splashing in a baby pool or swimming in Lake Michigan, getting wet can ... Read more
3 weeks ago by Chrissie Kaufmann.
LETTER TO THE EDITOR: All good things must come to an end
It has been said that “all good things must come to an end.” I have been chairman of the annual Buchanan Area Rural School Meeting ... Read more
3 weeks ago by Submitted.
APPLEGATE: Celebrating the end of the 2020-21 school year
For schools across the country, the past nine months have been an intimidating exercise in planning, flexibility and resilience. With the entire community’s support, Niles ... Read more
4 weeks ago by Submitted.
PARRISH: Enjoy the night sky during Dark Sky Awareness Month
The lucky stars thank you! That may sound discombobulated, but the intention is correct. Both the Cass County commissioners and the Michigan Senate have passed ... Read more
4 weeks ago by Submitted.
LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Voting should be accessible for all
Interfaith Action of SW Michigan and Episcopalians of SW Michigan for Social Justice oppose the three voter identification bills that the Michigan Senate approved on ... Read more
4 weeks ago by Submitted.
POMPEY: Resources in a changing time
This past year, times have changed for everyone. Aside from not being able to see family and friends in person as much as we would ... Read more
4 weeks ago by Submitted.
Supporting local means supporting local newspapers
By Dean Ridings, CEO, America’s Newspapers As we continue to emerge from the pandemic, there’s a sense of relief and optimism that things will return ... Read more
1 month ago by Submitted.
LASATA: Celebrate southwest Michigan’s great outdoors
June is National Great Outdoors Month, and southwest Michigan is a wonderful place to get out and explore. As we officially kick off summer next ... Read more
1 month ago by Kim LaSata.
KAUFMANN: Get outside and play this June!
Two years ago, I stood in a small crowd listening intently to a stern yet kind National Park ranger. A former U. S. Marine Corps ... Read more
1 month ago by Chrissie Kaufmann.
LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Help protect voting rights
I served 20 years in the U.S. Army helping protect democracy. Today, our democracy is threatened by Republican-controlled legislatures in many states, including Michigan. Some ... Read more
1 month ago by Submitted.
NELDON: Nominations open now for Best of the Best
On my walk home for lunch earlier this week, I couldn’t help but realize how many people were out on the streets in the middle ... Read more
2 months ago by Ambrosia Neldon.
LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Thanks for the support
The members of the Town & Country Garden Club would like to thank the Dowagiac community for their support of our recent plant sale. Proceeds ... Read more
2 months ago by Submitted.
SYTSMA: The new Friend of the Court parenting guidelines
If you have a custody and parenting time order in Cass County, you may be required to follow the provisions set forth in the Cass ... Read more
2 months ago by Submitted.
APPLEGATE: Summer programming for Niles children
Learning is a year-round and lifetime commitment, and while the summer months are often filled with relaxation, spending time with friends and enjoying the great ... Read more
2 months ago by Dan Applegate.
WILLIAMS: Pandemic has taken toll on Americans’ mental health
In the U.S., almost half of all adults will experience mental illness during their lifetime. These are rates similar to people who suffer from heart ... Read more
2 months ago by Submitted.
KAUFMANN: Caring for our mental health
May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Perhaps the first thing to be aware of is that we all have it – mental health, that is. ... Read more
2 months ago by Chrissie Kaufmann.
BEALOR: Talking to our co-parent: We can all do better!
Talking together when you are not a couple can be hard. We know it is frustrating to be told, “talk to each other,” when talking ... Read more
2 months ago by Submitted.
LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Voter suppression is anti-democratic
Sparked by false claims of fraud, Michigan’s Republican Legislators have introduced multiple anti-voting rights bills. These bills would enact new voter ID requirements, reduce drop-box ... Read more
2 months ago by Submitted.
LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Thank you from the Four Flags Garden Club
Members of the Four Flags Garden Club of Niles want to thank the community for supporting its recent plant sale. Proceeds enable the club to ... Read more
2 months ago by Submitted.
LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Do not support voter suppression
Michigan voters need to speak now and let their legislators know that we do not support the voter suppression bills being considered by the Legislature. ... Read more
2 months ago by Submitted.
LASATA: April is Financial Literacy Month
Financial literacy is a learned skill that can diminish without practice. Financial Literacy Month was established in 2004 and is recognized every April to highlight ... Read more
3 months ago by Kim LaSata.
HAVLICEK: State small business relief trapped in gridlock
When Michigan received $5 billion in federal COVID funds last December, it represented crucial relief for our members and thousands of hurting businesses across the ... Read more
