The voices of millions of Americans who feel government employees should decide for themselves whether to financially support a union have been heard. In a case with far-reaching implications for the profession of teaching and education reform, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned a 1977 decision that forced government employees to pay agency fees to a union. 

A follow-up seems to be in order on my Hot Pursuit column from last week regarding the mass shooting at a newspaper in Maryland.
I tried to steer away from making my observations tied to our president, but a reader and another area newspaper publisher pulled me right into it all with some comments of their own. 

Don’t ever be fooled into thinking things are status quo at the state’s oldest county fair.
When the Dodge County Free Fair opens its gates next week in Kasson, there will be new adventures awaiting fairgoers. The fair, which is in its 161styear, runs July 18-22.

While most 4-H’ers will be showing their animals at the county fair next week, the dog project has already finished its competition. 
Members in the dog project had their judging this past Saturday. One night earlier in the week they were busy preparing on the Dodge County Fairgrounds for their dog show by practicing obedience and showmanship. 

Spreading patriotism around Kasson has come in many forms over the years, but perhaps not in as unusual of a way as what the Kasson Legion is currently embarking on.
The Freedom Rock—a 9-foot boulder—has been placed outside the Legion clubroom on Main Street awaiting an artist from Iowa to paint a mural on it. Ray “Bubba” Sorensen II began working on the project Tuesday. It is expected to take him two weeks to complete the mural.

The Fourth of July is about the patriots who risked everything to establish a new nation based on life, liberty and equality. And on this anniversary of our nation’s independence, there’s no better time to honor those who continue to defend and serve this great country. 

Summer is here which means families are finally able to enjoy the outdoors after a long winter. 
As campfires burn out and kids get ready for bed, many parents will pull out a book and read a bedtime story. This is important because studies consistently show that reading at a young age drastically improves a child’s educational trajectory. 

For years I’ve often quietly used the phrase, “Don’t shoot the messenger,” when disgruntled readers have voiced their frustration over something that has been published they didn’t want to see. 

As hundreds flock to tiny Berne every Wednesday for a mid-week pizza party, dozens of people behind the scenes are making the novelty event enjoyable for everyone.
From cashiers to pizza makers to people manning the hot ovens and serving the freshly fired pizzas, volunteers are needed to serve as many as 800 pizzas each week. It’s no easy task and takes 60 volunteers each night to pull off.