A good listener

One thing became crystal clear to anyone who listened in to or engaged with the Nebraska State Board of Education during its three-day visit to Aurora and Hamilton County last week: Brian Maher is the right man for the job as NDE’s new commissioner.

Do the Topsy Turvy, and turn it all around

As American singer and record producer Akon once said, “Sorry, blame it on me.” Some may call me the cause of chaos, a feather ruffler, or an advertising mastermind. Whatever name you choose, I can almost guarantee, this week, I got your attention.

Poised for progress

Vision and partnerships.Those two concepts are sometimes hard to quantify or recognize in the short-term, but over a span of years if not decades they can make all the difference.

Topsy Turvy edition: ANR invites readers to change perspective, smile

Welcome to ANR’s first-ever Topsy Turvy edition.Just as the name implies, our staff has turned some things upside down and sideways in this week’s edition, on purpose, hoping to shake up your perspective just a tad and have a little fun.

GI version of State Fair a winner, and that's no bull

Fourteen years later the decision seems like a no-brainer, but at the time the jury was mixed.Moving the Nebraska State Fair from Lincoln to Grand Island was in fact a bold move, but it was the right one.

Battle for 1st Amendment rights, free press wages on

As co-publisher of this hometown weekly newspaper, the news last week from Marion County, Kan., left me horrified.

Math that matters

It’s number-crunching time for local taxing entities, as well as tax-paying citizens, and to be honest the numbers and variables involved this year could make the average home and business owner’s head spin.

New anchor tenant at Mission Critical opens an exciting door of opportunity

Diversify and grow.That’s been the goal of this community’s economic development efforts over the past several decades, a success story which is beginning its next chapter now with Friday’s groundbreaking for a new anchor tenant on the Aurora Mission Critical site along Highway 14.

Friendly pilot helps offer a valuable perspective

I’m a big believer in stepping back, or from time to time up, and looking at things from a different perspective.

Throwing a light on gaslighting

Have you seen those rubber hand experiment videos that have been making the rounds on social media recently? They are a study in the art of psychological manipulation and should serve as a wake-up call to all of us.