As a practitioner engaged with peace processes around the world for the past four decades, I am asked with increasing frequency an unsettling question: Are we headed toward civil war here in these United States?…

We are not fans of restrictive ballot access, believing that candidates with even a modicum of legitimate support should be able to compete for votes. Throwing people off the ballot based on obscure technicalities that…

Before Gov. Tim Walz became the most famous person in America to coach high school football, there was Eric Taylor. Coach Taylor was sensitive. Coach Taylor put his players first. Coach Taylor could motivate without…

For the first time since the second world war, Russia has been invaded.  On the previous occasion the Red Army’s Ukrainian troops helped beat back the Nazi assault in Russia’s Kursk province.  Now it is…

Imagine that well-meaning politicians created a government program that was supposed to help people.  Now, imagine that same program getting 30 years of tax dollars and helping precisely nobody.  Worse yet, imagine that the program’s…

Raise your hand if you knew that Congress is debating a bill this summer that could slow the pace of climate change, produce cleaner drinking water, restore habitat for endangered wildlife and improve the American…

My daughter, Becca Schmill, would have turned 23 this year. Becca was a beautiful, caring person whose smile lit up every room. She had hopes and dreams of her own, but before she was able…

One of the seminal sports memories of my childhood was watching Greg Louganis dive in the 1988 Olympics.  I was in awe when he hit his head on the springboard, got stitches at the side…

We are drawn to stories of individuals who not only embody the pursuit of excellence, but also have humility. Think of the American gymnast Simone Biles, who worked through mental health issues that kept her…

Dear editor, This week, legions of Red Devils, both new and returning, are descending on Iola and Allen County as over 150 students move into the residence halls Allen Community College.  They represent just over…