The Independence Day celebration in Walnut Grove is threatened when taxes are increased. A Russian immigrant shows the people why America is a great place. Even though the immigrant lost his land since he couldn't pay his taxes, he was happy to be in America. He considered it to be the best place to live in the world.

Mrs. Oleson's cousin starts a newspaper in Walnut Grove, and she uses the fledgling small-town publication as her forum for gossip. It isn't long before the newspaper creates havoc and embarrassment for the townspeople, leading Charles to take matters into his own hands.