Each year those who decide the featured book for Iola Reads make excellent decisions.This year’s, “The Running Dream,” is no exception.Though she specializes in children’s and young-adult fiction, Wendelin Van Draanen created a tale that…

In the lightest moment of Thursday’s morning address, President Barack Obama relayed the remarks of children he had visited earlier in the day at a Head Start center in Lawrence.“I know you! I’ve seen you…

It’s hard to argue with Gov. Brownback’s proposal to increase taxes on sales of tobacco and alcohol. Such commodities, after all, are luxuries. The tobacco tax would increase from 79 cents to $2.29 a pack;…

Lloyd Houk’s style of ministry is reminiscent of the old circuit-riding preachers of a bygone era. They pulled themselves in the saddle every Sunday morning and took off for a little country church.Houk does much…

Kansas is on track to becoming a third-world country. Its leaders are usurping powers while leaving the masses with fewer services. In his state address Thursday night, Gov. Sam Brownback said the state’s schools are…

Over the past 30 years, the Kansas budget has grown at an average rate of 5 percent. Several things account for the upward tick in spending. First, our population continues to increase. That’s a good…

The story in Saturday’s Register about a South African family that currently calls Humboldt home was heartwarming for myriad reasons.The United States still remains the land of opportunity, especially for many who live in other…

Kansas is keeping its toehold as a middling state in regards to public health measures. It remains at 27th among the nation’s 50 states, the same as in 2013, but a significant comedown over the…

Let’s step back in time to just after World War II, to a December setting along Coal Creek east of Humboldt.Limbs bare of leaves fork into an overcast sky like bony, arthritis-ridden fingers; underground tangles…

I found inspiration in reading New Year resolutions posted by fellow readers in Wednesday’s Register. I could relate to several, in particular Lisa Wicoff’s desire to de-clutter. It’s been several years since we’ve seen the…