Opinion

When support feels like sales

Dear Annie: My sister, “Jenna,” is 38 and recently started selling handmade candles online. I was excited for her at first; it’s a big step to start your own business. But now, every conversation somehow turns into a pitch. She’ll bring candles to family dinners and “gift” them, only to follow up later asking for social media shoutouts or reviews. At our mom’s birthday, she gave everyone “custom scents” and then passed around her business cards. I want to support her, but it’s getting awkward. I don’t think she realizes how pushy it’s coming across. My husband ...

Urge lawmakers to save our libraries

To the editor: I am writing on behalf of the New Ulm Public Library Board to call attention to the critical importance of including library funding in next year’s federal budget for FY26. The Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) funding supports libraries of all types through the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) and its grant programs, including direct-to-state grants. We urge our legislators to reinstate funding for IMLS, including LSTA funding, and to support the reauthorization of the Museum and Library Services Act of 2018. Among other important services, ...

Answering patient questions about measles

As multiple outbreaks of the measles have popped up across the United States, so too have the number of internet searches about the measles virus. When it comes to your health and the health of your loved ones, it’s important to separate fact from fiction. Here are a few frequently asked questions about the measles, with answers from Avera experts: How contagious is measles? Measles is one of the most contagious of any known viral infection. It is more contagious than smallpox, tuberculosis or Ebola. It has an attack rate of 90%, meaning about nine out of 10 susceptible people can ...

Dealing with pedophilia

As I watch the news, there appear to be many people from other countries, in addition to our own citizens, who are in trouble for sexual crimes against children. It is a more prevalent problem than we would like to believe. It is, and has been, a problem nationally and locally. People who do these things frequently have pedophilia. What is that? Pedophilia involves a persistent sexual interest in children, up to and including the age of 12. That interest can include sexual thoughts, fantasies, arousal and also acting on those thoughts and fantasies. They may have no interest in ...

Love has no expiration date

Dear Annie: I’m 65 years old, and after years of focusing on everything and everyone else, I finally feel ready to date again. The only problem is -- I’m not sure how to go about it, or if it’s even realistic at my age. I’ll be honest: I have not been the best judge of character in the past. That makes me extra cautious now, especially when it comes to online dating. Every time I fill out one of those profiles, it feels less like I’m opening myself up to love and more like I’m filling out a job application. Between the high expectations, the endless questionnaires and the ...

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