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 ...
Craig Fish, a Toledo, Iowa resident of nearly 35 years, was recently recognized by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources for his 50 years of volunteer hunter education instruction. At a meeting held in Linn County on March 17, Fish received an award for his 50 years of volunteerism. In ...
As I drove through parts of West Des Moines while a sleeping baby rested in his car seat, I was astonished by the homes. Despite this trip being slightly unique because it was due to letting a previously crying, very tired baby rest, I have always been astonished by these types of neighborhoods ...
Spring has arrived, and with it comes a fresh wave of energy across Dysart. You can feel it downtown. Events like Spring Fling brought people into 19 local businesses, and that kind of activity matters. It boosts visibility, builds connections, and reinforces just how important it is to ...