Road construction along with dust, gravel, mud, and dust control were the main topics for discussion in April when Highway 63 from the 96/63 junction to Toledo closed on April 20. The Iowa DOT closed the highway to remove the pavement and replace it with asphalt, while making it a “Super 2 ...
May always feels like the month when things finally start moving again. People are outside more, community events start popping up on the calendar, and you can feel the energy picking up around town. For local businesses and organizations, this is when things start getting busy in the best ...
When it comes to seed saving, it is an interesting exercise for farmers. In Iowa, where corn and soybean hybrid seed is dominant, seed saving is non-existent. Protected by Plant Variety Protection certificates and utility patents, the seed companies treat their corn and soybeans seeds like ...
The U.S. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine has analyzed a broad range of data on greenhouse gas emissions and the effects on U.S. climate that had been gathered by the scientific community. In their report on this analysis, the Academies stated that the evidence for ...
Most people know the basics of healthy living that become more important as you grow older: Eat plenty of vegetables, exercise regularly, sleep well, have a social life, limit your alcohol consumption and don’t smoke. As an economist and social psychologist who study altruism and health, we ...
Note: National Small Business Week is observed May 3 - May 9, 2026. Q: How did the Working Families Tax Cuts Act boost small business? A: This tax season delivered welcome news to small businesses across the country. Here in Iowa, small businesses make up more than 99% of businesses in our ...
Paying an out-of-state vendor millions of dollars to do what the State Auditor’s Office can do at a fraction of the cost – literally about five cents on the dollar – isn’t efficient: It’s a waste of your tax dollars. Iowans love pie – me included. My favorite is strawberry ...
What I loved and miss from growing up in a rural town is everybody knows everybody. This is a double-edged sword because everyone can be up in everyone’s business. It might not be like stories I have heard from the past where people listened to other people’s phone conversations when lines ...
The legislative session is now heading into overtime (as of this writing, Friday, April 24). After the House and Senate passed separate property tax bills, the focus shifts to negotiations and compromises to reach an agreement that can move forward. Despite the extended hours ahead, there are ...
Small businesses play a critical role in creating jobs, driving economic growth, and contributing to the overall well-being of rural communities. In many areas, they are the backbone of the local economy, providing essential goods and services. Spring offers a good reminder of the importance ...