This year, America has lost several people who were part of many of our childhoods and early adulthoods, including Dolly Parton and Chuck Norris. Their deaths came as a shock to many of us because they appeared to be living full, active and independent lives. more

As State Auditor, I’ve been sounding the alarm on the unaccountable private school voucher program for years. Politicians who like to lie say it’s because I’m against private schools. That’s not true at all.  more

As an educator who’s spent years building a foundation for children, I believe that school choice is a foundational freedom that Iowans should have. Parents should be able to have more say over where their kids go to school and more say over where their tax dollars are spent. more

If Iowans want a glimpse of their future, they might just look to the south. To Missouri. more

There are many reasons Eldridge should start the process of building a full-time, professional fire department. As our community grows larger, we can expect more fires and EMS calls. Residents and businesses should be prepared to cover the costs of running an effective fire department. And residents should remember that those costs are about saving lives and property. more

Twenty years ago, social media promised to bring us closer together. While we quickly embraced that technology, only later did we begin to understand its costs, especially for children. We now stand at a similar crossroads with artificial intelligence, but the stakes are even higher. more

Kim Reynolds vetoed a bipartisan eminent domain bill in 2025 after a private company tried to use eminent domain to take over private land in Iowa, leaving Republicans unable to agree on how to protect Iowa landowners from private corporations that stand to profit from the taking of private land. more

The very first bill passed by the Iowa House in the 2026 Legislative Session sent a clear message - private property rights must be protected from eminent domain abuse. No issue has generated more passionate feedback from my constituents than this one. The connection Iowans have to their land runs deep. more

In my 40 years as editor of The North Scott Press, I used my position and these pages to both publicly praise and criticize the actions of elected city officials and public employees. more

There was a dispute between Thomas Mann and Albert Einstein dealing with how quickly or slowly time passes. Einstein, in his theory of relativity, maintained that the faster an object moves, it has the effect of slowing time. Mann, writing in his most famous work, “The Magic Mountain,” contended that boring times “could dissolve, indeed, the largest units of time until they seem nothing at all.” more

Immigration and border control are a couple of the most serious issues facing the U.S. The debate over how many legal immigrants should enter the country, how to improve the legal immigration process, who should be granted legal status, and how to address the folks who break the rules is never-ending. more

Iowans are compassionate people. We believe in hard work, personal responsibility, and following the rules. That’s why most Iowans support legal immigration and welcome people who want to come here the right way, contribute, and build a better life for their families. more

Iowa students aren’t sitting on the sidelines, waiting their turn – they are already building our future. more

I am not someone that will wake up early to run a race, nor do I have the disposition to fully appreciate the nuances of a jazz performance. However, even I, the uncultured and unathletic person that I am, cannot deny Leon Bismarck “Bix” Beiderbecke has had a great impact on our community and the world of art. more

The legislature has been “talking” property tax reform for years.  So far, without result.  Sadly, this year’s House action is no more likely to result in meaningful reform than last year’s…and last year the House did nothing.  Despite endless debate over rollbacks, exemptions and valuations, it seems no one’s property taxes actually go down!  more

We completed the fifteenth week of the legislative session, and Tuesday marked the 100th day and the scheduled final day of the legislative session. As predicted, and with important work still to be completed, we will be heading into overtime. We continue working on big issues and important bills, and we are excited for the opportunity to deliver for our constituents and our state. more

Clickety clack. The great railroad merger of 2025 was highballing full throttle to the station, much to the delight of its supporters. more

Full and fair disclosure. I lost my wife of 40-plus years to breast cancer on Christmas 2021. She was a nurse, educator, mother and grandmother and my best friend.  So, yes, when it comes to cancer, I’ve got strong feelings.  But I’m not alone.  There are far too many Iowa families suffering such devastating loss.  But what really saddens me is knowing so many of the seats around Iowa family dinner tables shouldn’t be empty today. You know, we’ve heard it all before. Iowa suffers the second highest cancer rate in the nation. And, while cancer rates nationally are declining, Iowa's are increasing, sharply. But why? Science confirms that common cancers—breast, prostate, lung, colorectal, and skin melanoma—are associated with environmental risk factors, such as pesticides, nitrates, PFAS and radon.  more

House Republicans spearheaded the effort to create the EMS levy to ensure dedicated emergency medical services funding.  When an Iowan calls 911—they should feel confident a prompt response is coming and House Republicans are ensuring that. This week a pair of EMS bills passed the House Ways and Means Committee in support of that goal.  more

If you steal from taxpayers, you should go to prison. It’s as simple as that. more