State legislators from across Missouri descended upon the state Capitol Jan. 3 to kick off the 2024 state legislative session. From now through May 17, these elected leaders will debate and deliberate bills and topics important to them and their constituents. The hope each and every year is for priority issues to be passed by the General Assembly and ultimately land on the Governor’s desk for his signature.  more

Dear Readers, more

This mother hen has found herself in an empty nest. more

We have just begun this year’s Missouri legislative session. Budget hearings began last year and will continue throughout this session.   more

Editor’s note: This column first appeared in the Quill on Jan. 9, 2018. more

It is wonderful to be back in Jefferson City to complete my final year in the Missouri Senate. As I mentioned in my last column, I will not be running for reelection. I made a promise to the people of the 33rd Senatorial District to complete a four-year term and I plan to come to work every day this session with the same passion and energy that I carried with me into the Senate for my first day in 2021. more

Let 2024 be the year you join Summersville Friends of the Library to have a part in planning library activities and fundraising for our local library. The small group meets for one hour each month and has no membership fee. Easy-peasy! They are one of the nicest groups you’ll find, and you’ll find that community service has its own rewards.    more

The big news at our house is the arrival of our first great-grand daughter, Violet Blake Mitze. Violet, the daughter of Lauren McKay Mitze and Michael Mitze. Violet Blake was born on a Sunday in Denver, Colorado. more

I passed by my grandpa’s farm on the old Springfield/Buffalo road one morning last week. more

The man you met on the trail, Jefferson, was as good as his word. He drove his ox and cart to the cave that he shared with his two sons. They were trappers and had made the cave their temporary home. It was surprisingly warm and comfortable and the five of you stayed there for several days at Jefferson’s invitation. more

The first movie I vividly recall watching in a theater was "Field of Dreams." That memory, etched in my mind, is not just about the film's narrative; it encapsulates the entire cinematic experience, a magical journey that begins much before the opening credits roll and lingers long after the end credits fade away. However, it's disheartening to acknowledge the struggle facing movie theaters nationwide. The reasons for this decline are manifold and complex, but delving into them is not my focus here. Instead, I wish to reignite the joy and unique enchantment of watching a movie on the big screen. more

Missouri Farm Bureau wrapped up another great Annual Meeting in December, and this year’s theme focused on our organization being “Guided by Tradition.” One of those annual traditions is the Farmometer survey.  more

Front-row parking at the grocery store, stopping at the gas station and finding my cellphone on the tailgate of my truck or catching the biggest trout at fish camp opening day — if you ask my wife or any of my buddies, I'm a pretty lucky guy. more

The march of progress in the realm of Artificial Intelligence (AI) continues to reshape the landscapes of industry, governance, and daily life. Yet, with this rapid advancement comes a complex array of ethical considerations that must be addressed to ensure that these powerful technologies are harnessed responsibly. more

Missouri Farm Bureau wrapped up another great Annual Meeting in December, and this year’s theme focused on our organization being “Guided by Tradition.” One of those annual traditions is the Farmometer survey.  more

Dear Readers, more

As we stand on the threshold of a new year, it feels fitting to reminisce about a song that has been a cherished companion through the various seasons of life - "On the Sunny Side of the Street." This classic tune, more than just a melody, has been a soundtrack to countless moments, both big and small. Its jaunty rhythm and optimistic lyrics have a magical way of lifting spirits, making it a delightful song to sing and an even more profound metaphor for life. more

1944-2024, Do the math. The dash between the years is a long time. I know because I have lived them. Memories remain, and a lot of them. Some stories I have told over and over again. Memories of school, travel, sports, church activities, work, work and more work; family, friends and the list goes on. more

January was always a hard month when I was a boy on the farm. more

Your journey has brought you by keel boat to one of the numerous outposts that are scattered along the banks of the White River. This is the last stop on the river. The remainder of the journey to the interior of the Ozarks will be by foot on narrow trails made long ago by animals and Indian tribes. more