Opinion

Kyle Troutman: Joy and despair
You can’t win ‘em all. That’s about all I could think to say on Tuesday morning after a wild weekend in Wildcat athletics.

Jeremiah Buntin: Halloween in the Ozarks
Just like most regions in the country, many folks in the Ozarks historically enjoyed celebrating Halloween. Celebrations were typically expressed in the form of either pranks or parties.

TroutMom Says: ‘I don’t know what choice I would have made – when I had a choice’
One of the major platforms in this 2024 election is a long-time sensitive and hot-button issue with extremely emotional arguments on both sides of the fence — reproductive rights. Since the overturning of Roe v.

Kyle Troutman: Who needs sleep?
As I was posting my football live updates article on Friday from the sidelines of the field at Wildcat Stadium, a Cassville sports mom posed a question to me — do you ever sleep? This week — really this month — sleep is or the weak. I am frequently asked how I can seemingly be everywhere, and frankly, it’s just the job.
Is two cups of coffee worth it?
Dear Editor: Do the math — will the price of two cups of Starbucks coffee make our kids better educated? Amendment No. 2 would allow the Missouri Gaming Commission to regulate licensed sports wagering including online sports betting, gambling boats, professional sports betting districts and mobile licenses to sports betting operators State Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick’s office estimated unknown tax revenue ranging from $0 to $28.9 million annually.

Kyle Troutman: Pink inspiration
It’s no secret, October is for pink. For nearly 40 years, October has been dubbed Breast Cancer Awareness Month, with the iconic pink ribbon symbolizing one of the most successful awareness campaigns since 1991.

Jon Horner: Take an inventory of blessings this fall
Here we are in early October, and the fall season is upon us. For me, this is always a fun time of the year.
Claudia Colleran: Credit due to a good neighbor in Cassville
Dear Editor: I want to tell you about a Good Neighbor act that occurred prior to your article published Sept. 23.

Janet Mills: Pumpkin spice or anything nice
We have officially entered pumpkin spice season. On the threshold of the autumn leaves changing colors, pumpkin spice makes its seasonal appearance.

Trout Tales, Oct. 2
I was watching reels Tuesday morning when I caught this photo from my friend in Washburn. It’s Barry County’s most-seen animal in the least-likely location! No bull about it, this half-ton man of the night made his way down Highway 37 to a neighboring pasture where all the ladies and littles were hanging out. Is Angus here just a lonely guy, or is he a man on a mission? Reports in the morning revealed he was just a little hungry.