Headline exercise can boost optimism
What has become a tradition in many publications is to start the new year with a resolution to voice optimism.
With that frame of mind, many opinion writers take to penning headlines they would like to see in the new year.
On a personal note, writing headlines is not as easy as people might think (although when you look at the internet it provides some head-scratchers.) The High Plains Journal editorial team members—past and present—have all taken the duty seriously to make sure headlines capture of the essence of a story.
Often, a headline is written after the final sentence of a story is completed. It is a craft that comes with our profession. That often provides a balance for journalists.
In the roller-coaster ride of 2025, I’d like to see stability and balance. With context that’s why I like to start the new year with optimism.
We all could use a smile and whimsical headlines hopefully can add to that feeling. As I write some of my headlines I will put a few personal ones about my own sports team bias.
With that here we go:
• China exceeds soybean purchases
• Farm bill passes with bipartisan support
• Fed continues to cut interest rates
• Input costs track market realities
• Mental stress shows sign of easing
• Land-grant universities see record investments
• Strategy to stop invasive weeds pays off
• Regenerative ag practices pay dividends
• Ranchers benefit from bullish cattle prices
• Pork sets export and price record
• U.S. lamb producers open new markets
• USMCA gets thumbs up with tweaks
• Whole milk welcomed by today’s school kids
• Fruits of trade pacts show up on bottom lines
• Progress on New World screwworm allows policy change
• Corn, wheat, soybeans, sorghum, cotton hit record exports
• WOTUS finally put to bed
• Vaccination successfully treats avian influenza
Here are a few of my own:
• Progress made in Middle East pressure-cooker
• Ukraine and Russia announce peace accord
• All hoop teams from land grants make NCAA tourney
• Royals return to World Series
As always, write your own headlines that provides a positive mindset because in the end they belong to you. I hope they all come true.
Dave Bergmeier can be reached at 620-227-1822 or [email protected].
