Opinions

LETTER: Proposed bill would protect voter freedoms

Published by admin on Tue, 11/21/2023 - 1:02pm

To the editor:

For decades, Wisconsin ranked near the top in voter participation in the nation. In contrast, when Republicans took control of the governorship and the Legislature in 2010, they pushed through a voter ID law that disenfranchised many elderly, urban, non-driving residents, and college students.

When we vote, we express our opinion about what we value. Our elected officials should be making it easier, not harder, for all Wisconsin citizens to vote.

LETTER: Lift the ban, and let Van Den Elzen compete

Published by admin on Tue, 11/21/2023 - 12:58pm

To the editor:

I’m requesting that the grandfather clause recommended by WIAA for Trent Van Den Elzen be installed at Suring Public School.

Taking away something from a child that has done everything by the book and has been a great teammate is one of the cruelest injustices I can think of. One of the questions I have been asked is what do the coaches think about what is going on with the school not allowing one of the most decorated wrestlers in the M&O Conference to finish his senior year as a dual sport athlete.

WHY I GIVE THANKS: Small reminders show plenty to be grateful for

Published by admin on Mon, 11/20/2023 - 11:03am

I am extremely humbled to be asked to share why I give thanks. For several hours after the request, I thought about what I should write about. It didn’t take long for me to start seeing small reminders of what is on my heart that I should share.

WHY I GIVE THANKS: Nemetz is thankful for community

Published by admin on Mon, 11/20/2023 - 11:01am

Several years ago, I was asked to write a thankful essay for NEW Media, just as I was asked to do again this year. At that time, I had only been working for the city of Shawano for a couple of short years and felt as though I was still trying to “find my place” in this community. When I wrote that first essay, titled “Thankful for Our People,” I chose to write about the people closest to me that I was thankful for.

WHY I GIVE THANKS: Choose an attitude of gratitude this holiday

Published by admin on Mon, 11/20/2023 - 10:58am

Just as there is a difference between happiness and joy, there is also a difference between thankfulness and gratitude. A link connects the two, actually. Let me explain.

To be happy is an emotion requiring outward circumstances to be favorable to have happiness present in life. Consequently, happiness is most often fleeting. To be joyful, on the other hand, requires deliberately choosing to be joyful and to remain positive even when adverse situations arise.

WHY I GIVE THANKS: Most thankful for gracious gifts of God

Published by admin on Mon, 11/20/2023 - 10:57am

If I were to give you a pop quiz right now and ask you the question, “When is Thanksgiving Day?” I wonder how many of us could give the correct answer? Some of you may be thinking — do you mean the “exact” date? Not really, because the date varies from year to year. Everyone could say, “I know it is a Thursday in November,” which is correct, but which Thursday?

WHY I GIVE THANKS: Celebrate relationships that enrich our lives

Published by admin on Mon, 11/20/2023 - 10:54am

The holiday season is a wonderful time to reflect on gratitude, appreciating the things that enrich our lives. At the heart of the celebrations lie the acknowledgment of the people, places and experiences that shape our journey. For me, gratitude thrives within the vibrant community of Shawano, a place I’m proud to call home.

GUEST COLUMN: Journalists can’t save journalism, but you can

Published by admin on Fri, 11/17/2023 - 3:34pm

Not long ago, a group of retired, has-been editors got together in Madison for golf, burgers and beer. Let’s just say, the burgers and beer were good.

It was an interesting collection of career journalists who ran newsrooms in several Wisconsin cities – Milwaukee, Madison, Eau Claire, Watertown, Wisconsin Rapids, Janesville and Beloit.

YOUR RIGHT TO KNOW: Reopening court discussions was a good idea

Published by admin on Fri, 11/17/2023 - 3:25pm

On Oct. 9, the Wisconsin Supreme Court held a lively, 35-minute discussion on whether to allow the deletion of certain eviction records from Wisconsin’s online court records system. I’ll get to that topic in a moment; what’s remarkable is that we were able to witness this discussion at all.

In 2012, a divided Wisconsin Supreme Court voted to close its administrative conferences. These are conferences where the court considers changes to rules that affect the court system, procedures used in civil and criminal matters, and ethics rules for attorneys and judges.

GUEST COLUMN: Authentic engagement in education essential

Published by admin on Fri, 11/10/2023 - 2:20pm

This September, I delivered my State of Education address in the Wisconsin State Capitol. I talked about the incredible teaching happening in our classrooms to prepare the future leaders of this state, and I shared some of the inspiring insights I have learned from our students. I focused on the critical moment in which we find ourselves: a moment when we can choose hope, or we can choose destruction in the way we support our children, their schools and our communities.