DARKOW

On a knife's edge

• By John Darkow

Editorial cartoon by John Darkow.

KEN MIDKIFF

Gun in churches? Missouri House committee gives approval to law that would allow it.

• Ken Midkiff

Having been alerted by this newspaper to a legislative proposal to allow guns in churches, and specifically Section 571.107 about exceptions to unlawful use of weapons, here is what House Bill 944, contains:

GUEST COMMENTARY

We're headed for a state of 'immuno-privilege' where privacy rights are abandoned

• Seth Smith

For many years now, I’ve felt like Big Tech has become far too intrusive an influence in the lives of people throughout the world. From Edward Snowden’s revelations about domestic surveillance to the overwhelming influence of social media, there have been many times recently where I’ve felt …

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Poll taxes were costly, required sacrifice for voting in Missouri

• Mel West

The words “the vote” and “Jim Crow” have been much in the media lately. I would like to share my observations of those, back in the 1930s in Dade County, Missouri.

Out of the woods

• by John Darkow

Editorial cartoon by John Darkow

GUEST COMMENTARY

Missouri legislators want doctors to police patients instead of treat them

• Elizabeth Chiarello

If legislators are sincere about stopping overdoses, they must recognize that PDMPs alone will not do the trick.

DAVID WEBBER

Protests after police shootings could happen anywhere. It's time to take action on police reform.

• David Webber

African Americans are 13% of the population but about 25% of police killings.

Withdrawal from Afghanistan

• John Darkow

Editorial cartoon from John Darkow

GUEST COMMENTARY

Two Black men turning pain into purpose after racial profiling incident

• Steven Roberts

They did not end up dead like Daunte Wright, but they know they could have, and that memory motivates them.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Legislators need to fulfill duty on Medicaid expansion

• Erich Arvidson

Voters have already made the decision, and it is time for our legislators to fulfill their moral and fiscal duties.

GUEST COMMENTARY

Missouri mules seem to be stubbornly running state government these days

• George Kennedy

Missouri representatives demonstrate the stubborn qualities of the mule, the symbol of Missouri.

DARKOW

Police training

• John Darkow

Editorial cartoon by John Darkow. 

STEVE SPELLMAN

Mike Trapp offered a consensus-building approach to city government

• Steve Spellman

Elected officials often leave a legacy. For Mike, it wasn’t pot or trash, but his pragmatic M.O.

GUEST COMMENTARY

We need to learn to recognize the symbols for domestic terrorist groups

• William L. Martin

When it comes to extremist groups, the symbols they use should be noted in case they are seen or used in another attack.

DARKOW

Pay as you throw

• John Darkow

Editorial cartoon by John Darkow

GUEST COMMENTARY

Joe Manchin is wrong about the filibuster

• Joshua Holzer

After dancing around the issue for several weeks, Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., has recently thrown cold water on the idea that he’d support reforming the rules of the Senate by stating in a recent op-ed that “there is no circumstance in which he will vote to eliminate or weaken the filibuster.”

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Take action to protect Missouri children from online obscenity

• Bev Ehlen

The Protect Young Minds Online Act requires internet service providers in Missouri to shield minors from obscenity.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

City's trash system flawed, but privatization could help be a solution

• Lisa Meyer

Our trash system has been flawed longer than a decade. 

DARKOW

New state motto

• John Darkow

Editorial cartoon by John Darkow.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Spring floods signal need for new solutions to live at peace with waterways

• Mike Powell

We need solutions to help communities live in peace with the river instead of living with the constant threat of destruction.