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Every summer, it happens.
You step outside expecting another warm July afternoon, but instead you’re greeted by air so thick it almost feels like you could wear it. You immediately start …
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By Nick Palisch
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7/30/26
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For many, Memorial Day means the official start of summer. And while we all enjoy the cookouts, the gatherings, and the time spent with friends and family, it is important that we take a moment to …
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By Jason Smith
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5/28/26
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Text Abbreviations and acronyms splotch the pages of our modern vocabulary. They wedge themselves into conversations and communications.
I LOL when I read funny things. A few times, I’ve even …
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By Robin Leach
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5/28/26
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Sittin’ here under the River Tree this spring morning, especially with the cacophony of chaos around us, seemingly everywhere, the old codger can’t help thinking about what we call “faith”. …
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By Jim Martin
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5/28/26
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When most people think about weather observations, they picture massive radar sites, satellites orbiting Earth, television meteorologists standing in front of green screens, or government agencies …
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By Nick Palisch
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5/28/26
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She was there with you, surrounding you, while you grew arms and legs and eyelids. Your heart beat in harmony with hers. Her blood was your blood; her oxygen, yours. She kept you safe and protected …
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By Robin Garrison Leach
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5/7/26
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Sitting here under this spreading River Tree, it’s obvious the seasons are changing. It’s kind of inevitable, isn’t it? Sometimes change is terrific, like this beautiful spring that’s come …
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By Jim Martin
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5/7/26
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This week, the Supreme Court issued a unanimous verdict in First Choice Women’s Resource Centers v. Davenport to protect crisis pregnancy centers in New Jersey who had been targeted by the …
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By Jason Smith
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5/7/26
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Medicare was created as a promise to every American who spent decades working and paying into the system so that when the time came, they could get the care they needed. Today, that promise is under …
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By Jason Smith | U.S. Congressman
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4/30/26
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From the first singsong prayers of childhood to the fervent pleas of hurting hearts, I learned how to talk to God from examples all around me.
It started as a toddler. Jesus loved me, this I …
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By Robin Garrison Leach
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4/23/26
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I’ve always said the most rewarding thing about being elected to represent the people of southeast and south-central Missouri is being able to fight for people whose needs are being ignored by …
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By Jason Smith | U.S. Congressman
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4/23/26
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Sitting here in the beautiful spring breeze under the River Tree, the old codger finds himself thinking about just how amazing—and just how screwed up—this world is these days. He’s written …
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Jim Martin | Columnist
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4/23/26
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I have plenty to worry about. One of my ears sticks out farther than the other. I get my kids’ and grandkids’ names mixed up with long-dead relatives. If gas gets any more expensive, I will be …
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By Robin Leach | Columnist
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4/16/26
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As the 2026 tax season wraps up on April 15, new data shows millions of Americans have greatly benefited from the Working Families Tax Cuts. Thanks to this landmark legislation, which I authored, …
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Jason Smith | U.S. Congressman
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4/16/26
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Man, what a morning here under the River Tree. The birds are chirpin’. The breeze wafts through the greening branches, and the old codger can’t help but reminisce. Hey, that’s just what old …
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By Jim Martin | Columnist
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4/16/26
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“He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: ‘The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day …
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Jason Smith, U.S. Congressman
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4/9/26
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The old codger again. (More about the moniker later.) We’ve talked before about how essential it is for us as human beings to sit down and work together to create a saner, more functional society …
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Jim Martin, columnist
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4/9/26
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He hitches up his jeans with his thumbs. The wrinkles around his eyes deepen as he stares out the window. From his toothpick-parted lips come the words he has waited months to utter.
“It’s …
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By Robin Leach | Columnist
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4/9/26
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This tax season is set to be the biggest refund season in American history, and it’s not by coincidence. It’s the direct result of Republicans delivering for the American people who sent us to …
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4/2/26
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As the increasingly feeble old codger sits back this beautiful spring morning, recuperating achingly from what in years past served as a pleasant day of spring yard work (ouch, not so much now!), he …
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4/2/26
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The mission of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is to ensure the safety of the American people, our communities and our nation. At a time of growing threats both at home and abroad, ensuring …
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3/26/26
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What a magnificent, God-blessed couple of days we had a week ago here under the beautiful River Tree. The old codger and his beautiful bride ventured out energetically against the fetid detritus that …
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By Jim Martin, columnist
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3/12/26
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President Trump promised Missourians that his foreign policy would make America respected on the world stage again, rebuild our military and act decisively to address threats confronting our nation …
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By Congressman Jason Smith
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3/12/26
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I brought flowers to Mom this week. Springtime stems of forsythia, dogwood and lilac. It’s too early for the real thing — but silk is fine.
March was Mom’s favorite month, and on the first …
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Robin Leach, columnist
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3/12/26
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One year ago, President Trump returned to office with a clear promise: make life more affordable for hardworking Americans and restore strength to our economy. During his State of the Union address, …
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By Congressman Jason Smith
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3/5/26
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