The Prairie Spy Alan “Lindy” Linda The term “mad as a hatter” predates Lewis Carroll’s character in Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. (Where it was used.) It refers to the 18th and 19th-century hat-making industry win England, where hatters used a mercury nitrate to treat fur, exposing the workers to toxic fumes that caused mercury poisoning. This condition… Read More

By Cora Hoffer senior policy associate,  Center for Rural Affairs Energy affordability and reliability are being threatened in rural America, with costly consequences for families, farmers, and small-town economies. On July 23, the U.S. Department of Energy rescinded a $4.9 billion federal loan guarantee for a new high-voltage transmission line designed to deliver power across the Midwest, including low-cost… Read More

By Steven Bradley author of Subverting the Republic The U.S. Supreme Court is about to take up Louisiana v. Callais (No. 24-109), a case that may seem far removed from your local city council, school board, or county commission but don’t be fooled. The outcome of this case could shape how political power is carved up in… Read More

Garver’s Movie Review Bob Garver I have fond memories of “The Bad Guys” from 2022. The opening scene was an extended “Pulp Fiction” reference, which I was not expecting to see in an animated kids’ movie. It put me in a good mood for the rest of the movie, which was standard “villains eventually learn to… Read More

Garver’s Movie Review Bob Garver The “First Steps” part of the title of the new “Fantastic Four” movie is misleading. We don’t see the superhero quartet take their first steps, not as changed individuals and not as a team. The movie takes place four years after a space anomaly altered the DNA of astronauts Reed “Mister… Read More

By Officer Scott Luhman Notes from the Frazee PD Notes from the Officer…Turkey Days has passed and I’m glad to report we had no major issues. We would like to thank everyone for following the rules and allowing everyone to enjoy Turkey Days safely. We just had one person at the dance that over did a bit… Read More

By Ruth Koehler Special to the Forum There she sat:  My sister at 8 years old on our rocking chair, pumping her legs up and down as she cried and screamed.  We didn’t know what set her off as our family watched her carry on. It must have been dramatic since I can still see it in my… Read More

The Prairie Spy Alan “Lindy” Linda This is the third–and last– of “Three things I’ve learned.” (One hopes that one has learned more than that in this entire lifetime. But the rest isn’t at all clear, as those of you who are growing older probably agree. Don’t like; maybe just agree.)   I learned this on a service… Read More

Ask A Trooper Sgt. Jesse Grabow Question: I have a new driver in the house and they asked a question that got me thinking. If someone has a crash and hits a power pole, what should they do in that situation? Answer: If your car comes into contact with a utility pole, wire or power box, you should: •… Read More

By Tyler Trieglaff Notes from the Chief Notes from the Chief… Well, here we are, another Turkey Days in the books.  Unfortunately, any news that happened will have to wait until next week as the press deadline is Friday at noon.   This was my 20th Turkey Days working as the ol’ Barney Fife. I started in 2006… Read More