In a tech-driven era, where every waking moment is documented, "app-reciated", and connected to that compact supercomputer we lovingly – and at times, begrudgingly – call our smartphone, the idea of returning to the austere simplicity of a "dumb" phone might seem as appealing as it is terrifying. Let's talk about the melodrama of my tech-dependency. more

For two years under one-party Democrat control of Congress and the White House, the American people were left completely in the dark about the numerous scandals and crises that have plagued President Joe Biden’s administration. But since being elected by the American people to the majority, over the last seven months, House Republicans have launched numerous investigations to hold the administration accountable and get the American people the answers they deserve. more

As regular readers might guess, I love words. I enjoy the artistry of folks as varied as William Faulkner, Cormac McCarthy and Mary Oliver who can magically string together words into sentences that touch the soul in profound ways. more

Greetings, fellow citizens of West Plains. more

“Take me out to the ball-game.” I was up until 11:45 Monday night watching the Cardinals. They won! more

Last week, I reported no copperheads in my yard so far, but this week I have had three! I've spent the last two days attaching rabbit wire to my deck to keep more snakes out after one paid me an unwelcome visit, and I'm also sprinkling mothballs around areas I frequent.  more

On July 10, the Ways and Means Committee held a hearing at a cattle auction barn in Kimball, Minn., to hear directly from farmers and ranchers in the community about how America’s trade policies affect their daily lives and what Congress can do to make trade work better for their families. more

In 1965, The Mamas & the Papas sang the words, “I'd be safe and warm/If I was in L.A.,” as part of their hit song “California Dreamin’.” Decades later, if the dreams of California leaders come true, millions will be hungry and hot — or cold — as a result of their policy schemes.    more

This past weekend our kids were up way past their bedtimes running through our yard chasing insects that light up. While I believe this should be a summertime requirement for every child (and most adults), it sparked an argument between Lindsey and me.  more

Each time I go for a haircut at Randy Tate’s, “The Barber,” I think of the story he told me about Kevin Judd. more

The world will never see another generation like mine. more

"It's almost Christmas, but there is no joy in the house of terminally ill Jack and his family. With only a short time to live, he spends his last days preparing to say good-bye to his devoted wife, Lizzie, and their three children. Then, unthinkably, tragedy strikes again....” more

Under the Biden administration, working-class Americans have seen trillions of their hard-earned tax dollars go toward policies and programs that disproportionately benefit the wealthy and well connected. more

With 95% of the world’s consumers living outside the United States, agricultural trade is an important pillar in our farm economy. Strong trading partnerships are key to a global economy and worldwide food security. Unfortunately, a proposal by the Mexican government to ban the import of corn developed with biotechnology threatens to upset the balance of trade between our two nations. more

I was at West Plains Bank this morning: Downtown! It was a hub of activity. My wife Sue and I were there to see Cheryl Finley. more

A little rain fell one Saturday night in the dog days of 2012. more

There's a pretty good reason why I haven't written any good "snake stories" so far this year. I've only seen a black snake resting on the tire of my truck and a garter snake in a flower bed — good snakes that no one gets excited about. I would guess that there's a copperhead around here somewhere, but we haven't ran into each other yet. Maybe this will be a copperhead-less summer for me, but it would be the first since I moved here in 1986. more

At Missouri Farm Bureau, we’ve talked extensively for more than two years about the global climate agenda and how activists continue to miss the big picture. Every United Nations, European Union and Biden Administration meeting seems to focus on the “climate crisis” and ways to save the human race. Now, it seems we’ve entered a new phase of the global climate agenda — animal sacrifice, and Europe is leading the way.  more

Oh, those were the days! more

Of the few truly important things in life, kids and livestock have to rank near the top. more