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 ...
Q: What drives your decades-long work as a taxpayer watchdog? A: It boils down to a simple principle. Taxpayers work hard for their money. The U.S. Treasury is not a piggy bank for fraudsters to exploit and drain public assistance programs for profit. Four decades ago, I resurrected a ...
Libraries are a vital part of our rural communities. That’s why I invite you to celebrate the library in your small town during National Library Week, April 19-25, 2026. These book-filled buildings serve as community spaces, wi-fi hotspots, children’s imagination stations, and more. Many ...
With the planting season off to a slow start thanks to the always compelling Iowa weather, it is the time of year when hope is at its best. Being a farmer, optimism is key to starting every year. Farming is truly blind faith. No matter what the plan for the growing season and how good it is, ...
Week 14 (April 13-17) in the Iowa Senate was another busy week as the session winds down. This week, the Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig and the Iowa Nutrient Research & Education Council (INREC) announced the launch of the Nitrogen Soil Sampling Project. The project is initially going ...