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Our changing economy illustrates how agriculture impacts our lives now more than ever. Farmers and ranchers provide the food, feed, fuel and fiber that serve consumers in Missouri and around the …
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For The Republic-Monitor
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3/5/26
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Every year, National FFA Week gives us an opportunity to celebrate an organization shaping the future of American agriculture by educating the next generation of farmers. For me, this week is deeply …
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By Jason Smith, U.S. Congressman
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2/26/26
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As he sits here looking out on the stately River Tree this morning, as winter wanes and spring sticks its proverbial head out, the old codger finds himself thinking about just how fast things change …
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By Jim Martin, columnist
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2/26/26
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For years now, Americans have seen the devastating impacts from the creeping influence of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Individuals and companies connected to the CCP have stolen American …
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Jason Smith, U.S. Congressman
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2/19/26
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In today’s world of unending distraction, it may be time to give ourselves a day off. How about we shut things down again on Sundays?
The simplicity of Sundays was a Godsend to our hearts. We …
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By Robin Leach, columnist
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2/12/26
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The old codger had the opportunity just the other evening of attending a wonderful interfaith forum on Courage and Faith at Washington University in St. Louis with the American Jewish Committee’s …
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By Jim Martin, columnist
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2/12/26
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Editor’s note: This column reflects the perspective of its author regarding events and decisions involving hospital governance.
My name is William “Bill” Bohnert, and I am the current …
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By Bill Bohnert, columnist
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2/12/26
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A house is not a home without a junk drawer. It’s the one place everybody in your house will sooner or later find themselves rummaging through, muttering frantic words like, “I KNOW I saw it in …
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2/5/26
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For too many American families, workers, and seniors, health care is increasingly unaffordable, with double- digit premium increases now going into effect on an annual basis. When many Americans …
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By Congressman Jason Smith
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2/5/26
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On Jan. 22, our nation marked the somber 53rd anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Roe v. Wade, a decision that resulted in the loss of millions of innocent lives to abortion. As sad …
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By U.S. Representative Jason Smith
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1/29/26
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I’m going through our boxes of family photos this month. I think it’s time to give my grown daughter her albums of pictures from the moment she breathed her first breath to the day she graduated …
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By Robin Leach, columnist
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1/29/26
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The old codger in December indicated the goal of doing columns focused on important issues for us as a community and a nation. He didn’t envision what would be dropping from the heavens in the …
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By Jim Martin, columnist
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1/29/26
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I just spent an entire three minutes waiting in line at the drive-thru window at my bank. I watched the person in front of me reach out a tentacle arm, fumble with the canister, and pull it into his …
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Robin Leach, columnist
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1/22/26
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The old codger’s been a sci-fi fan most of his life. Loved the tech-forward stuff that had its heyday in the ’30s through the ’50s. Nevertheless, one of my favorites was George Orwell’s …
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1/22/26
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Across America, our nation’s law enforcement officers have a tough job. Whether it’s a small-town sheriff, a state highway patrolman or an officer enforcing our nation’s immigration laws, these …
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Congressman Jason Smith
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1/22/26
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When I became chairman of the Ways and Means Committee, I promised to deliver results and real change for the working-class families, farmers, and small businesses that make America so great. For too …
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By Congressman Jason Smith, 8th District
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1/15/26
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When you have more than one child, it becomes difficult to remember their names. Oh, you know who’s who. And it is easy to pick them out in a crowd of other kids: “mine… mine…not mine…looks …
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By Robin Leach
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1/15/26
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This old codger, as he’s mentioned before, has pretty much always been smitten by an unrequited, subliminal love for what we choose to call “history” — i.e., our inexorable effort to explore …
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By Jim Martin, columnist
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1/8/26
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Access to health care remains one of the most serious challenges facing families in rural Missouri. For too many communities across southeast and south-central Missouri, getting the care you need can …
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Congressman Jason Smith
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1/8/26
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When I was growing up, ironing was a scheduled chore for every mom. A day was set aside each week for the task. Mounds of wrinkled fabric billowed from a waiting basket.
Mom lugged the ironing …
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By Robin Leach, columnist
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1/1/26
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Dear Editor
The dictionary definition of tariff is “duties or taxes paid on imported goods.” I looked it up to make sure I was giving truthful information. I then went to the internet. It …
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1/1/26
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Dang, seems a little too warm here, looking out at the beautiful Rivertree. But knock on wood, considerably better than last year — at least so far. Man, ice storms and tornadoes, then too wet and …
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By Jim Martin, columnist
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1/1/26
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The overnight temperature would be dipping into the 20s.
“Time to add a quilt to the bed,” the weather announcer said with a smile. “It’s gonna be nippy tonight!”
John harrumphed …
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By Robin Garrison Leach
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12/25/25
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PUBLISHER’S NOTE: In honor of Christmas, this week we’re reprinting perhaps the most famous editorial published in a newspaper. The words of Francis Pharcellus Church appeared in an unsigned 1897 …
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By Francis Pharcellus Church
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12/25/25
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Christmas is a joyous season that carries a special meaning for millions of families across our great country. It is a time when families gather at church to reflect on what makes this day such a …
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By U.S. Congressman Jason Smith
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12/25/25
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