Community Voices

Blessed, Tired and Trying Kersten Cook “We’re going to spend Christmas at the girls’ dad’s.” That’s the sentence that usually makes people stop and look at me like I’ve lost my mind. Sometimes they ask, “You mean you’re just dropping the girls off?” or “Oh, your husband must live far away.” And every time I explain, “No. I mean my husband, myself, and the girls are all going to spend Christmas at their dad’s house. Together. With his wife and their kids. All at the same time.

McCOOK Neb. — When you hear that 42 million Americans rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to help put food on the table, it’s hard not to wonder what that costs—and who could afford to pay for it. So, could a single billionaire feed America for one month? According to the math, yes. According to reality, it’s more complicated. The Cost of Feeding America Federal SNAP spending for fiscal year 2024 totaled about $100 billion, according to the U.S. Depa

McCook Neb. — We’ve all had that moment in the store — the one where you see something fancy, pick it up, and immediately start questioning your life choices. That was me this week, staring down the Lindt “Dubai Style” Pistachio & Kadaïf Chocolate with a $14.97 price tag. Fourteen. Ninety. Seven. For chocolate. Of course, curiosity (and my sweet tooth) won. I bought it in the name of journalism — or at least, dessert science — and here’s what I found out. The Taste Test: Fa

September 13, 2025 🎄Christmas may still feel far away, but as of today there are 103 days until December 25. That means if you start now, you have a full 100-day window to give yourself the most meaningful gifts—gifts that don’t come from a store, but from small, steady changes you make each day. And here’s the best part: with 3 extra days between now and Christmas, you can set those aside for life’s big moments—Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and one extra buffer day—because w

✨ Exciting News ✨ I’m honored to share that I’ve accepted the position of McCook Creative District Coordinator beginning this month. This new role feels like a natural extension of what I’ve been building with McCook News Now — telling our community’s stories, highlighting local talent, and making sure people feel connected to the place we call home. As coordinator, I’ll be working to support arts, culture, and creative opportunities in McCook, while continuing to report on t

August 21, 2025 McCOOK Neb. — I want to be clear: I oppose the creation of an ICE detention center in McCook. Not because I believe our community is unsafe, and not because I think immigration is something that can be solved with razor wire and steel bars — but because the system itself feels like a violation of human rights. If I trusted that only dangerous criminals were being detained, that might be one thing. But the truth is harder. Immigration in the U.S. is made delibe

Dear Editor: My family and I lived in McCook for 8 1/2 years, and though we now reside in southern Arizona, our hearts remain with this town. It is with that love that I write to express my profound concern about the proposed conversion of the McCook Work Ethic Camp into a 300-bed ICE detention facility. The lack of public process and the hasty nature of the decision, made with no transparency and announced just three days after local officials were informed, with plans to be

McCOOK, Neb. — National media outlets are reporting that McCook could be part of a nationwide expansion of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention facilities. According to the Washington Post, internal planning documents indicate ICE is preparing to open a 300-bed facility near the Work Ethic Camp in Red Willow County, potentially as soon as next month. The reports come as part of a broader plan to more than double detention capacity nationwide — from 41,000

McCook Neb. - Today marks an important milestone in my journey with stage 1 triple negative breast cancer. I am starting round 4 of Chemotherapy. After today's treatment, I am down to potentially just two more sessions. Next week, I'll undergo an MRI to determine whether I need another round of chemo or if I can move forward to surgery. Receiving a breast cancer diagnosis can feel overwhelming, and the word "cancer" carries so much weight and fear. However, it’s crucial to

McCOOK Neb. The proposal to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education, a cornerstone of our nation's commitment to equal educational opportunity, is a dangerous notion that threatens the very foundation of our society. While calls for smaller government and increased local control may resonate with some, the consequences of such a move would be devastating, particularly for our most vulnerable students. The Department of Education is not merely a bureaucratic entity; it is a

Dear Readers: In recent news, it has come to light that Arlington National Cemetery has removed links to pages featuring notable Black, Hispanic, and female veterans from its website. This decision, reportedly part of a broader initiative by the Department of Defense to eliminate Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) related materials, has sparked significant concern and debate. While it is true that the biographies of these brave individuals remain accessible through other

McCOOK Neb. - Every August comes some sort of sadness over me, as time goes on it’s lessened but hopefully one day it’ll be just another day. August 17, 2017 my life changed forever in a split second. Even as the years pass, and things get better it’s just naturally engraved in your mind when your life flashes before your eyes at the hands of another person. You practice forgiveness, give yourself hella grace and you pray for that person more than for yourself. And you PUSH.

McCOOK Neb. - I often find myself questioning the direction of my local independent news website. While I’m unsure of what the ultimate outcome will be, my goal is clear: I want to make important information from public meetings easily accessible to my neighbors in McCook—especially those who may not engage with traditional media. This means sharing that information online, where they already are, particularly on social media. Additionally, I aim to enhance the digital presen

On Monday, I attended my first Red Willow County Commissioners meeting. What I anticipated to be a two hour session stretched into nearly five hours, prompting reflection on the process and its implications for our community. Several complaints regarding the Visitor Bureau and the Fair Board had seemingly been allowed to fester rather than being addressed promptly. Commissioner Charles Fritchie is meant to be the liaison between the Commissioners and the Visitor Bureau commit

McCOOK Neb. - As someone who tends to stick to routine, I usually order my groceries online, selecting ingredients for a rotating menu of about 20 meals that my kids will actually eat. Because of this, it took me some time to realize there was a new brand at Walmart. Here’s what I’ve discovered: Bettergoods, which launched in April 2024, offers a range of food items that extend beyond the usual choices found in Walmart’s established Great Value line.. As shoppers have increa