There is a certain saying that says, “go out on top” or “leave people wanting more.” Unfortunately, in national politics, this is far from happening … but maybe it should. …

There is something satisfying about walking into a national park visitor center and asking for a Junior Ranger booklet—even when you are old enough to have junior rangers of your own. I have …

I have always been a nostalgic person. I love visiting the exteriors of old homes and apartments I have lived in when I come back to town, and sometimes I like to pop in and see former workplaces …

In just two days from now, 25 years will have passed since the morning of Sept. 11, 2001, but for many Americans, including myself, the memories remain remarkably clear. We remember where we …

There was always something special about the final weeks of summer when I was growing up. You knew the freedom of June, July and August was about to disappear, but there was also a little …

In case you’re keeping track of when your favorite editor’s birthday is … It’s in two days, on Friday, Aug. 28. Anything train- or national park-related is accepted as a present this year. …

I have always said that I consider myself an “old soul.” I was simply born about 50 years too late for everything that I enjoy. I mean, who wouldn’t have loved riding some of the classic …

I have to admit I am not much of a reader. I had no problem writing a 20-page paper in school … but reading … well, that was not one of my favorite assignments. That still is the case. Every …

One of the things I absolutely love about living here in Northwest Wisconsin is that I don’t absolutely dread my commutes to and from work … for just about the first time. In another life, …

Looking at the calendar, today marks my official fourth anniversary as editor of the Inter-County Leader. That’s a full presidential term or a governor’s term. I remember seeing the …

Well, it’s back in the news again. The U.S. House of Representatives voted on Tuesday, July 14, to pass the Sunshine Protection Act of 2026 (H.R. 139), sending it to the U.S. Senate for …

With my four-year anniversary as editor of the Inter-County Leader rolling around soon, I thought I would share the story of one of my friends and journalism inspirations—Jim Wrinn.

It’s hard to believe that July 1 marks the beginning of the second half of 2026 already. My parents used to say that time just goes faster the older you get, and as much as I hate to admit, they …

It’s still early in the election season, so we have just begun to hear from the candidates running for the various offices this summer and fall. Two new candidates are running for Polk County …

Late-night talk shows have always been a favorite of mine. Perhaps it was the fact that I remember staying up late with my dad when I was just 12 years old to watch Johnny Carson’s last …

I wanted to extend a sincere thanks to proofreader Nancy Hunter and paginator Nate Vanderwerff for putting together another excellent graduation supplement to the Inter-County Leader two weeks ago. …

It’s been a while since I provided everyone with an update on my quest to visit all National Park Service units in the United States––so here we go. In case you don’t know the background …

Working in the news business for more than two decades of my life, including nearly the last four years here as editor of the Inter-County Leader, has meant covering just about everything under the …

I had another column planned for this week, but decided to table that until next week after the attempted shooting this past weekend in Washington, D.C. In case you haven’t heard, 31-year-old …

By now, you have probably seen the results of the spring elections––specifically the local school district referendums. (We had the results in last week’s edition of the Inter-County Leader, …