Russell McDermott was born and raised in Texarkana. A U.S. Navy veteran, McDermott returned to the Twin Cities in 1988 and began working at the Texarkana Gazette. He is now the Editorial Page Editor, writing the daily In Our View and occasionally his own opinion column. He has received more than 50 journalism awards in his career. McDermott and his wife, Lisa, live on the Arkansas side with their three basset hounds.
Cinemark gets picky; Assigns seats in Texarkana
Our local movie theater, Cinemark, started a new policy last week that has some cheering and others jeering.
Aug. 28 2019 @ 4:50pm
Suicide raises questions and conspiracy theories
It's an old story.
Aug. 14 2019 @ 1:32am
Punishing other views is not an American value
Just in time for Independence Day, athletic shoemaker Nike made a move that will cause them some temporary grief
Jul. 3 2019 @ 1:20am
Share the Road: May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month
May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, a time when the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and motorcycling advocates try to educate the public to be more aware of bikes and hopefully avoid accidents.
May. 24 2019 @ 3:30am
Spend less time on the Internet for a happier life
I have to wonder what we would do without the Internet.
May. 8 2019 @ 12:46am
Endgame of Thrones? Pop culture is passing me by
Pop culture is passing me by. At least when it comes to movies and TV.
May. 1 2019 @ 12:24am
Trademarks and words that cannot be spoken
How do you write a column about a word that is so apparently offensive it cannot be uttered before the U.S. Supreme Court?
Apr. 17 2019 @ 1:42am
'Taxpayer First Act' would put taxpayers last
Imagine an income tax filing system this simple:
Apr. 10 2019 @ 1:53am
What will the Democrats do about 'Uncle' Joe Biden?
What to do about Joe Biden?
Apr. 3 2019 @ 12:19am
Spicer has earned a shot at life beyond Trump's podium
It seems President Donald Trump's press secretary would like to take more of backstage role.
Jun. 21 2017 @ 11:40pm
Acting on climate change just makes sense in long run
I freely admit I have no idea if manmade climate change or global warming or whatever you want to call it is something to be worried about.
Jun. 8 2017 @ 2:16am
Few choices and lots of time, lots of choices but little time
When I was growing up in Texarkana back in the 1960s, we had three TV stations.
May. 3 2017 @ 11:44pm
Drawbacks outweigh value of capital punishment
A few weeks back Arkansas put itself in the cross-hairs when the state announced it planned to execute eight condemned killers over a 10-day period because the supply of execution drugs was about to run up against its expiration date.
Apr. 27 2017 @ 2:52am
Few things bring the past to life like old newspapers
The other day, in yet another futile attempt to clean out my study and dispose of some long buried clutter, I came across an old copy of this newspaper in a box full of high school yearbooks and other items my parents stored away for me years ago.
Apr. 6 2017 @ 2:01am
I can see clearly now, the cataracts—and glasses—are gone
I have worn eyeglasses since I was 10 years old.
Mar. 16 2017 @ 2:31am
Trump is right to challenge orthodoxy of free trade
Many who oppose President Donald Trump have adopted the same tactics President Barack Obama's foes used during his eight years in the White House: If he's for it, I'm against it.
Feb. 9 2017 @ 1:58am
George Michael brought something special to Texarkana
In terms of celebrity deaths, 2016 was brutal
Dec. 29 2016 @ 2:34am
Donald Trump needs to lose the Twitter tantrums
I hear a lot from my friends—and a see a lot posted online—about the behavior of kids today, especially college students.
Nov. 23 2016 @ 9:32pm
Taking aim at our Constitution is no way to 'save' it
Some Americans are happy Donald Trump' was elected to the White House. But some are not. In fact they are seething. And they are acting out in counterproductive ways.
Nov. 17 2016 @ 3:08am
Trump's appeal shocked political elite, mainstream media
I went off to bed a touch after 1 a.m., just after a couple of major news outlets called Pennsylvania for Donald Trump. I knew it was over then. Of course it had really been over for a while. But the last returns came in slowly in the key swing states and they were too close to call. It seemed like hours that the electoral vote was stuck at 215 for Hillary Clinton and 244 for Trump.
Nov. 10 2016 @ 2:07am