July 3, 1974:  The North Scott School Board approved shortening the school day by 30 minutes, starting in the upcoming school year. Board members reported no negative public reaction to the proposal. Each period at the junior high and high school would be made five minutes shorter. At the elementary schools, recess would be made slightly shorter and class periods would be condensed. The board also established Sept. 10 as the date for a $1.4 million bond issue that would fund additions at Ed White and Alan Shepard, and a new school building at Park View. more

"To everyone setting off fireworks early and against the rules: We have a 12-year-old dog with severe heart issues ..." more

"Joe is our best hope of denying Trump again ..." more

"The truth matters. Information matters. I am so thankful you wrote that article ..." more

How I wish I could've been in Toronto (Canada, not Iowa!) last week with newspaper colleagues when ISWNE – International Society of Weekly Newspaper Editors – handed out its annual Golden Quill and Golden Dozen awards. My advocacy for the Scott County Library was one of the winners. more

June 26, 1974: The Eldridge City Council rejected a request from the Eldridge Police Department for additional manhours. The request was made after a resident reported her vehicle had been involved in a hit-and-run accident and a police officer was not able to respond to the scene until an hour after the incident. Police chief Harley Osmun said the incident took place during the only period of the week that was not covered by an officer – 160 of 168 hours were currently covered. He said the council had given him an ultimatum in March when it prevented him from hiring a part-time officer. more

They sounded like they cared. more

"Until recent years, virtually all Americans would acknowledge the validity of certain facts, e.g., the earth is round and the sun sets in the west. That shared reality no longer exists after the concept of 'alternative facts' was injected into the bloodstream of American life ..." more

The 2022 session of the Iowa Legislature began Jan. 10, much as lawmakers have convened for most of the past 175 years: with speeches and ceremony, the reuniting of friends and the renewal of partisan enmity. more