Put fall leaves to work in your landscape. This valuable resource makes a great mulch in planting beds, adds organic matter and nutrients to the soil, provides habitat for many beneficial insects, and is insulation for ground-dwelling queen bumblebees, toads and more.

We have just over a month and counting until the Nov. 5 general election, but who’s counting.

Tuesday night, we have presumably the final debate between vice presidential candidates JD Vance and Mike Walz, but I would guess little will be decided here. For the most part, blues will vote from blue, and reds will vote for red.

The big question is: Where will the undecided voters go? That will likely decide the election.

Marcie R. Rendon reprises her fascinating character Cash Blackbear in “Sinister Graves,” third in a trilogy about a young Native woman whose special powers make her an invaluable sleuth for the local county sheriff. The trilogy follows Blackbear’s exploits in North Dakota and Minnesota along the Red River region.

Rendon, an enrolled member of the White Earth Nation, lives in Minneapolis.

This year, I am taking two Advanced Placement classes as a part of my high school curriculum. I have few complaints about the classes thus far.

However, I wouldn’t say I have the strongest grasp on how AP classes impact high schoolers like myself. Alex Halverson, a math teacher for Spencer High School, does.

Thump.

I heard a walnut hit the sandy, leaf-strewn forest floor 10 or 15 yards to my north.

It was a good sign. I cocked my head in that direction, hoping to hear the telltale scratching of claws on tree bark that would help fuel my optimism. Minutes passed, and I heard nothing but the breeze rustling leaves in the forest canopy.

As many of you know, The South Dakota Supreme Court recently unanimously ruled that Summit Carbon Solutions is not a common carrier, therefore they cannot use eminent domain. This ruling was very good news for all of us opposed to the pipeline, although it doesn’t mean that we are out of the woods just yet. This November residents of South Dakota will go to the polls and vote either yes or no on Referred Law 21 (RF21). What is that you may ask?

When a tariff is placed on China … China doesn't pay the tariff. The buyer of the Chinese made product sold in the U.S. or EU does. If a tariff of 60% was put on all Chinese goods being imported, the buyers of those goods have a tough decision to make. How much do they raise their prices to compensate? … the full 60%, which would be a shock to their customers, or do they eat some of the margin taking a loss themselves?

I’ve been reading “The Maxwell Leadership Bible,” penned by former Pastor John Maxwell, who has shared the Bible and inserted his feelings on leadership — good and bad — throughout the Bible.

Reading, I’ve seen some nuggets of gold that I did not share, but I felt “Jesus’ and the Law of Addition” was worth sharing in this week’s column. I’m not going to share it all, but I think there are some things to consider in “Christlike Servant Leaders,” utilizing John 3:1-17 as a model.

There are so many critical issues to consider in electing the next president. Sadly, most people only care about the economy. Given that, with Iowa’s agricultural economy, consider former President Donald Trump’s plans. He bragged about being a “tariff president.” He doubled down on his plan to install a blanket tariff of up to 20% on all imports, with additional tariffs of 60% to 100% on goods brought in from China. “We’re going to be a tariff nation,” he said.

In our community, the delicate balance between industrial progress and residential well-being is being put to the test. Symrise, known locally as Iso Nova, a global leader in the fragrance, flavor and pet nutrition industry, has been a benefit to our local economy. However, concerns about odors emanating from their facility have brought to light the challenges of maintaining this equilibrium.

Q: How are you supporting families who are struggling with infertility?

More and more gardeners are adding native plants to their landscapes. These plants provide more than beautiful flowers for us to enjoy. They also support pollinators and other beneficial insects, and provide food and shelter for songbirds, toads and other wildlife.

As part of our Spencer ADA Council updated community engagement project, local graphic artists were contacted about helping to create a new logo to show the wide variety of abilities embraced by persons with disabilities.

Last Monday night was my first ever rugby tournament, and it was quite the learning experience. The Spencer girls rugby club is a new sport this year, but it is not without heart.

Our little team of four drove over to Fort Dodge and began the first of six tournaments this season.

In full disclosure, I wanted to see “Speak No Evil,” but my wife refused to see a horror movie so we settled on PG-13 documentary. And I’m glad we did.

Matt Walsh tried to meet with a racism support group, at a high cost mind you, but once they figure him out, he explained he is trying to understand their point of view. His reward: They tossed to the curb despite their “inclusivity” because they feared him.

So begins “Am I Racist?”