The Prairie Spy Alan “Lindy” Linda With another birthday behind me, I just kind of put some of what I am and feel into these words: I am pre-cellphones. (When they put that big tower a couple miles west of me, I wrote a pretty negative column about what I thought about that thing spoiling my view. The… Read More

Ask A Trooper Sgt. Jesse Grabow Question: Even with laws I still see a lot of motorists driving distracted. Can you get a reminder out there?   Answer: Driver distraction or inattention is a leading factor in crashes in Minnesota, accounting for at least 25 percent of all crashes annually. Distracted drivers fail to recognize potential hazards on… Read More

To the Editor, Amidst the turmoil and uncertainty of Trump’s courts and congress lunging away from constitutional rule in mindless and formerly illegal directions, there remains opportunities for great leadership to slow the damage and set new courses to get back on track. The most positive indication was the remarkable display of dedication to democracy, courage… Read More

Ask A Trooper Sgt. Jesse Grabow Question: I enjoy reading your column in the weekly newspaper.  I have a question I hope you can address. We’ve had some heavy fog recently and I get frustrated with the vehicles that do not have their lights on.  Sometimes the headlights are on and the rear lights are not.  What… Read More

The Prairie Spy Alan “Lindy” Linda I ended–gave up– a 30-some-year-long engagement with the IRS some time ago. I gave up. I hate to say it: Up to that point, I never thought I would ever concede them the tiniest bit of superiority. But I did. Government by the people, for the people–all that stuff led me astray…. Read More

Garver’s Movie Review Bob Garver The 2020’s haven’t been kind to once-great animation giant Pixar, at least with its original titles. “Onward” had its box office cut down by the pandemic. Three straight movies had to forgo theatrical releases and go straight to Disney+. “Lightyear” was the first movie from the studio that I couldn’t bring… Read More

To the Editor, On Thursday, March 5, the House Committee on Agriculture passed the Farm, Food, and National Security Act, taking the first step in yet another attempt to pass new farm bill legislation. The bill was approved on a vote of 34-17, with all Republican members joined by seven Democrats to pass the bill. The vote… Read More

By Anna Massoglia MuckRock More Americans are filing Freedom of Information Act requests than ever, topping 1.5 million in 2024 and on track for another record in 2025. This will mark the third consecutive year that FOIA requests have reached seven figures.  But more requests does not necessarily equal more access to public government information.  In an age… Read More

To the Editor, Once again we note that  our local paper, “Citizen’s Advocate” has been honored by receiving  a number of  awards from the annual Minnesota Newspaper  Association  Better Newspaper Contest. These awards come because of the very dedicated  energy and work that Chad, Dani and the staff put into each weekly edition. Their many pictures capture… Read More

The Prairie Spy Alan “Lindy” Linda Virgil M. bought the farm next to ours in Iowa, when I was 13. He didn’t come to farm, and rented the land to dad. He had just sold his large electrical wiring business in another town, trying to slow down a bit as he approached his sixties. He wasn’t slowing… Read More