Rachel Brougham

Minneapolis

Writer, Columnist and Editor at Freelance

Writer, columnist. Former newspaper editor. Hot Young Widows Club member. Author of the memoir Widowland. MI ➡️ MN.

Articles

We owe it to our kids to do better | Opinion

1 week ago | petoskeynews.com | Rachel Brougham

Michigan's fourth- and eighth-graders are performing below the national average in reading proficiency. Inadequate school funding and a decline in reading for pleasure contribute to lower literacy rates. Parents can improve children's reading skills by actively engaging with them through reading aloud, playing word games and utilizing everyday literacy opportunities. It’s summer break for our kids. They need to spend time outside in the pool or at the lake.
When Father's Day isn't easy | Opinion

2 weeks ago | petoskeynews.com | Rachel Brougham

I don’t remember many of the specifics. There was the year our son and I made him a fun card on a giant poster board, and decorated it with his favorite candy. I’m sure most years there was a special pack of beer involved. Probably a good dinner — something he likely cooked on the grill. But back then, the true importance of Father’s Day escaped me.
Who really wins when it comes to travel sports? | Opinion

3 weeks ago | petoskeynews.com | Rachel Brougham

Rachel BroughamCommunity ColumnistTravel sports come with high costs, both financially (upwards of $12,000 annually per child) and in terms of time commitment for families. Many parents express exhaustion from frequent travel, weekend tournaments, and the disruption to family life. While youth sports offer benefits like skill development and community building, the intense schedules and financial burdens of travel sports can outweigh these advantages for some families. We want our kids to be happy.
If the children are our future, we need to be there for them | Opinion

4 weeks ago | petoskeynews.com | Rachel Brougham

Graduating students face similar challenges as previous generations despite growing up in a technologically advanced world. Support is crucial for young adults as they navigate college, the workforce, or military service. Adults should offer guidance and encouragement while allowing graduates to learn from their own experiences. I’m a sucker for graduation season. I loved covering graduations when I was at the Petoskey News-Review.
We need to talk about mental health openly, honestly | Opinion

1 month ago | petoskeynews.com | Rachel Brougham

Mental health disorders affect a significant portion of the population, with anxiety disorders being the most prevalent. Stigma, discrimination, cost and limited access to health care prevent many individuals from seeking treatment for mental health issues. Resources and help are available for those struggling with mental health challenges. You wouldn’t know it by looking at me. Most people who know me well and spend time with me regularly likely wouldn’t even know.
It’s not always that easy, nor currently possible, to "Buy American” | Opinion

1 month ago | petoskeynews.com | Rachel Brougham

Proposed tariffs could cost American families an average of $4,600 per year. Many American-branded products, including iconic toys and essential goods, rely on overseas manufacturing or components. Even seemingly "American" products, like flags, are often made overseas, highlighting the complexity of "buying American."If you’re skeptical about all this recent tariff talk, join the club.
Should you make an appointment to get your skin checked? | Opinion

1 month ago | petoskeynews.com | Rachel Brougham

Regular skin checks are important for early detection and treatment of skin cancer, especially for those with risk factors like sun exposure and family history. Skin cancer is prevalent and treatable, with a high survival rate when detected early. May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month, emphasizing the need for regular checkups and preventative measures. I’ll be the first to admit that I was nervous. And it was just a little bit of nervousness, I had put this appointment off for years, decades even.
A $5,000 'baby bonus' wouldn't go very far these days | Letters

1 month ago | petoskeynews.com | Rachel Brougham

Rachel BroughamCommunity ColumnistThe White House is considering a proposal to offer mothers a $5,000 bonus for each child born in an effort to increase birth rates. Birth rates in the U.S. are currently at historic lows. As a woman, imagine being handed $5,000 every time you had a baby. If you were on the fence about being a mom, would this bonus make you change your mind? If you’re already a parent, would it make you want to have another child, or two or three?
Organ donation truly is the gift of life | Opinion

2 months ago | petoskeynews.com | Rachel Brougham

Every organ donor can save up to eight lives, and enhance over 75 more. There is no cost to be a donor, and when a family loses a love one who is an organ donor, there is no cost passed down to the family. You can learn more about organ donation and how to sign up at donatelife.net. The night of April 10, 2018, hours after my husband Colin was killed in a cycling accident, my phone rang. It was about 10 p.m., and it was a number I didn’t recognize.
9 Ways to Rid Your Garden of Japanese Beetles

2 months ago | yahoo.com | Rachel Brougham

We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. Learn More ›Photo: iStockJapanese beetles might be harmless to humans but that doesn’t mean you want them around. This invasive insect feeds on more than 300 plants and costs the United States more than $460 million a year to manage, according to Penn State Extension. They’ll eat through plant leaves and even flowers.