Normally we Cullens try to stay out of the news, but last week we made a little of it ourselves when a big thunderstorm ripped apart an ash tree in our front yard. Mary and I were pictured with the …

I just saw a preview of a new movie coming out in mid-August, “The Brink of War.” It tells the story of the 1986 summit in Reykjavik, Iceland between President Ronald Reagan and Soviet President …

For the past dozen or so years, at the suggestion of my doctors, I’ve been walking two to three miles per day and feeling quite impressed with myself for my physical fitness. But my pride took …

When Storm Lake citizens proposed the LakeTrail nearly 30 years ago, they envisioned walkers and bikers enjoying safe passage together from Emerald Park on the west shore to Lakeside on the east. …

Memorial Day ceremonies across the nation Monday, including the courthouse square in Storm Lake, highlighted the sacrifices men and women have made to secure our freedom and preserve democracy. …

I don’t put much stock in political ads on TV, but I’ve noticed that many candidates running for office in the upcoming Republican primary are really embracing Trump. More like bear-hugging him. …

The New York Times reported last week on the death of a 76-year-old man in the subway. The story referred to him as “elderly.” “Elderly?” I turn 76 today and I don’t consider myself …

As I sat during the Hy-Noon Kiwanis meeting Monday noon, I looked at the honor students from Storm Lake and St. Mary’s who were being recognized for their achievements, and I couldn’t help but …

It’s only April, and Buena Vista County has already experienced several tornado watches and warnings. So it’s time for my annual look back at my 15 minutes of fame — when I photographed the …

There’s a lot of concern these days about inflation. The cost of everything is going up. But there’s another type of inflation that bugs me too. It’s the length of movies. They’re …

Well, Trump really stepped in it when he trashed Pope Leo XIV last week. Da Pope from Chicago had the gall to say that war is bad and Jesus doesn’t like it. Trump went ballistic. He told Pope …

Been there. Done that. That’s the way I look at the Artemis II moon orbit that the United States launched last week. Oh, it’s exciting for the astronauts on the 10-day lunar fly-by …

Lord knows I’m no fashion plate, but a recent trend really bugs me. It’s men wearing tailored suits with sneakers. I’ve seen it a lot in the last year or two, on TV and even at formal …

More than 130 people braved gale-force winds Saturday afternoon to participate in a No Kings protest in Storm Lake against President Donald Trump. The march began at 1:30 p.m. at King’s …

Jaidyn Coon’s coronation last week as Iowa’s Mr. Basketball elevates him in the pantheon of the greatest Storm Lake prep basketball players. It was the capstone of a remarkable career, where …

I’ve heard that climate change is wreaking havoc on our planet, but it didn’t hit me until a couple weeks ago when the girls state basketball tournament was played without its customary blizzard. …

Green Bay, Wisc., home of the NFL Packers, may claim to be Title Town USA, but Newell-Fonda can call itself Iowa’s Title Town. The Mustangs won their fifth girls state basketball championship last …

The Iowa Legislature is at it again, trying to eliminate publication of legal notices in newspapers. And it will cost Iowa’s citizens way more money than it saves. Republican sponsors say it …

I had a big response to my column last week, “Scooping the loop,” from my high school days in the 1960s. I had a good vantage point to watch loop scoopers. Twice a week I perched high above …

Boomers who grew up in Storm Lake during the 1950s, 60s and 70s probably remember “Scooping the loop” when they were in high school here. For those of you from different generations, this …