Editorial

Ann Marie Gortmaker, who has limited vision, listens for any upcoming traffic near Business Loop and Old 63 in Columbia, Missouri, on Wednesday, May 4, 2022. Gortmaker believes people won’t understand why she’s walking, wondering why she doesn’t use

Ann Marie Gortmaker, who has limited vision, listens for any upcoming traffic near Business Loop and Old 63 in Columbia, Missouri, on Wednesday, May 4, 2022. Gortmaker believes people won’t understand why she’s walking, wondering why she doesn’t use para-transit. “But I don’t have to have it, I can walk,” Gortmaker said, “My disability isn’t mobility related.”

Lauren Irmen (left) and Audrey Ray play corn hole at Bronson Park in Kalamazoo, Michigan, on Friday, Sept. 2, 2022. Irmen was beating Ray, 20-1.

Lauren Irmen (left) and Audrey Ray play corn hole at Bronson Park in Kalamazoo, Michigan, on Friday, Sept. 2, 2022. Irmen was beating Ray, 20-1.

Racer Kevin Roman (left) and horse Just Luck try to pass Larren Delorne at Fonner Park in Grand Island, Nebraska, on Saturday, March 2, 2024. Roman and Just Luck finished in fourth place.

Racer Kevin Roman (left) and horse Just Luck try to pass Larren Delorne at Fonner Park in Grand Island, Nebraska, on Saturday, March 2, 2024. Roman and Just Luck finished in fourth place.

Shaquona Espinoza paints a picture of Nina Simone during the Taste of Jazz 2022 at the Kalamazoo Farmers Market in Kalamazoo, Michigan, on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2022. “Somebody reached out to me to make a live painting for the event,” said Espinoza. “An

Shaquona Espinoza paints a picture of Nina Simone during the Taste of Jazz 2022 at the Kalamazoo Farmers Market in Kalamazoo, Michigan, on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2022. “Somebody reached out to me to make a live painting for the event,” said Espinoza. “And the painting is going to be auctioned off tonight.”

Clay Pfeifer waves to his family inside the B-29 Superfortress during the Nebraska State Fly-In and Air Show at the Central Nebraska Regional Airport in Grand Island, Nebraska, on Saturday, June 3, 2023. Pfeifer said that the flight was amazing and u

Clay Pfeifer waves to his family inside the B-29 Superfortress during the Nebraska State Fly-In and Air Show at the Central Nebraska Regional Airport in Grand Island, Nebraska, on Saturday, June 3, 2023. Pfeifer said that the flight was amazing and understood why the aircraft had been important to his grandfather, Clarence Pfeifer, who had worked as a mechanical foreman for a B-29 ground crew in 1945.

Social studies teacher Ken Wright (left) teaches Bailley Leibert at Loup County Public School in Taylor, Nebraska, on Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2023. Leibert sees Wright for the last class period of the day. Leibert is the only student in the class, becaus

Social studies teacher Ken Wright (left) teaches Bailley Leibert at Loup County Public School in Taylor, Nebraska, on Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2023. Leibert sees Wright for the last class period of the day. Leibert is the only student in the class, because she’s the only freshman at the school.

Kristin Buckley (right) hugs her new daughter, Melony, at Gull Road Justice Complex in Kalamazoo County, Michigan, on Thursday, Nov. 3, 2022. The Buckleys became the foster parents to Jessica, Naomi and Melony over two and a half years ago.

Kristin Buckley (right) hugs her new daughter, Melony, at Gull Road Justice Complex in Kalamazoo County, Michigan, on Thursday, Nov. 3, 2022. The Buckleys became the foster parents to Jessica, Naomi and Melony over two and a half years ago.

Andrew Nigh (right) and Matt Schmittgens cut off dead limbs from the McBaine Bur Oak tree in McBaine, Missouri, on Saturday, Feb. 27, 2021. "The company does a lot of preservation work," said Chris Spradley of Trees, Forests and Landscapes. "So it's

Andrew Nigh (right) and Matt Schmittgens cut off dead limbs from the McBaine Bur Oak tree in McBaine, Missouri, on Saturday, Feb. 27, 2021. "The company does a lot of preservation work," said Chris Spradley of Trees, Forests and Landscapes. "So it's very gratifying to take care of this tree."

Jessica Davis (left) gives Kristin Kuchno a medium reading regarding her grandfather at Karma Care in Columbia, Missouri, on Saturday, Feb. 13, 2021. "It's an emotional experience," Davis said. "The first time I saw someone cry, I was surprised."

Jessica Davis (left) gives Kristin Kuchno a medium reading regarding her grandfather at Karma Care in Columbia, Missouri, on Saturday, Feb. 13, 2021. "It's an emotional experience," Davis said. "The first time I saw someone cry, I was surprised."