Columns & Opinions

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CLINTON’S HISTORY 10, 20, 30 AND 40 YEARS AGO

Saturday, February 14, 2026

30 YEARS AGO• Basketball homecoming king and queen candidates at Clinton High School for 1996 included Mindy Scales, Amy Boone, Brook Castle, Kaci Klein, Reggie Weil, Jess Arnold, Rachman Moore and Jon Hunter.

Elizabeth Ko, M.D.

How long does it take to stick to new habits?

Friday, February 13, 2026

ASK THE DOCTORSDear Doctors: I had always heard that it takes three weeks to get a new habit to stick, but now people are saying it’s more like three months.Is that right? Last year, I made a resolution to stop eating sugar, and I’m still fighting (and losing) that battle.

Struggling reader takes out loans for vacation

Friday, February 13, 2026

DEAR HARRIETTE: I recently took out loans so I could go on a vacation.I know that sounds financially irresponsible, but I hadn’t gone anywhere in 10 years. I work paycheck to paycheck, and I needed a break from working all the time.

The Clintons are no longer major figures

Friday, February 13, 2026

What do you call a former two-term president of the United States and his wife, a former first lady, secretary of state and nominee for president? In the Democratic Party, you call them baggage.After years of scandal, former President Bill Clinton is caught up in the Jeffrey Epstein revelations.

The GOP’s Hispanic headache

Tuesday, February 10, 2026

It was only one state senate race in Texas. Low-turnout, off-cycle elections are seldom good predictors of larger trends. And the Democrats had a better candidate: a working-class aircraft mechanic running against a hardline MAGA idealogue heartily endorsed by President Trump.Still.

Girlfriend wants partner to get tested

Tuesday, February 10, 2026

DEAR HARRIETTE: My girlfriend and I have been together for about two years now, and we have decided that we are ready for unprotected sex. With this decision came the discussion of birth control, which we both agreed on, and STI testing, which my girlfriend insists on.

Being here to observe change is good

Tuesday, February 10, 2026

Iwoke up late at night and saw the falling snow.In the middle of the night, the weather had changed. Snow began to fall. Large flakes hovered and floated in front of the streetlights as they fell, and soon the ground was coated.Normally, I would be in Mexico by now.

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CLINTON’S HISTORY 10, 20, 30 AND 40 YEARS AGO

Saturday, February 7, 2026

30 YEARS AGO• Clinton VFW Post 4465 honored emergency personnel of the year. Dispatcher of the Year honors from the Clinton FFW Ladies Auxiliary were presented by Auxiliary President Wanda Lettkeman to Clinton Police Dispatcher Peggy Setzer.

Elizabeth Ko, M.D.

The brain shifts up, back in microgravity

Saturday, February 7, 2026

ASK THE DOCTORSDear Doctors: As a former NASA mission planner, I would signal a “no-go” for human colonization of the moon and Mars. The human body’s functions cannot tolerate the long-term effects of a low-gravity environment. I assume, from your column about the effects of low gravity, you agree?

Grieving reader regrets wishing for more time

Saturday, February 7, 2026

DEAR HARRIETTE: My mother passed away earlier this year, and I’m still sad. She lived as long as she could with a smile on her face most times. I recently looked at photos of her over the past couple of years, and it broke my heart; she was so frail.