Andrea Grubaugh's article, "THINKING OUT LOUD: Are we really doing this for the good of the children?" (March 24, 2026), deeply resonated with me, especially her warnings about forcing people into a predefined "normal" box. It inspired me to share this summary of a Substack post I wrote on July 4. more

I’m sorry to have to once again get on my anti-AI soapbox, but after all I’ve been seeing locally the past couple weeks, I’ve got some thoughts – as well as some concerns – I need to get off my chest. more

Even after seven years (and counting) of covering local fairs for my job, there’s still a sort of excitement to it (despite a part of me is dreading the heat and humidity) as there’s really nothing like a county fair. more

Iowa’s demographics are unique in that they have a dropping birth rate, an aging rural population and a high number of college students who are leaving the state after graduation.  This is known as a triple threat to our economy. Immigration has been one way to strengthen the labor market until now. more

Iowa is soaked in Roundup, the herbicide made by Bayer. You probably have some in your garage, though if you bought it recently it may not contain the active ingredient glycophate that was blessed by the Supreme Court this week in a ruling that revealed yet again who owns the extreme Supreme Court, who owns the Trump administration and who owns Iowa. That ingredient though is still very much present in the commercial applications used on our corn and beans. The 7–2 decision said that there is no need for the product to have a warning on it, because the EPA says it’s ok, Roundup is fine, perfectly safe, never mind that Bayer wrote the report that the EPA is using as evidence. Yes, the paper was retracted by Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology on November 28 of last year because of the “lack of clarity regarding which parts of the article were authored by Monsanto employees.” more

We’ve all been there. Trying to open a kitchen drawer, but it’s jammed shut because there are too many ladles and spatulas crammed inside. Or maybe you have a perfectly good air fryer or blender gathering dust on the counter because you received a duplicate as a gift last holiday season. more

My first summer as a reporter, the editor of my hometown newspaper had me spend the morning of July 4 on a street corner asking random passersby, “What does Independence Day mean to you?” more

Recently Republican State Representative Taylor Collins penned a guest editorial on how undergraduate students at Iowa's public universities will be forced to pass courses in American history and government. Considering what the Republicans have done in the legislature the complete hypocrisy of this is at once evident. more

When is enough, enough? That is the question House Republicans asked this session regarding repeat felony offenders. After extensive consultation with county attorneys, defense lawyers, law enforcement, victims’ advocates, and the courts, it became clear that Iowa’s habitual offender law was failing and needed meaningful reform. more

Overcrowding and understaffing has long been a problem for Iowa prisons and it’s about to get worse. On June 2 Kim Reynolds signed the “three strikes” bill into law which is projected to increase the inmate population nearly 50% by 2030. This legislation put forth by Steven Holt, R- Denison lengthens the sentences once a person is convicted of a third felony from three years to seven years with the maximum increased from 15 to 20 years. more

While homicides are down, domestic violence is increasing.  Often it happens on the first of the month. When the rent is due. A difficult time for many of us, but especially triggering for someone who needs to feel in control. more

This session the House Higher Education Committee was proud to champion reforms to our universities’ core curriculum requirements , and Governor Reynolds has now signed the legislation into law. House File 2800 requires every undergraduate student at Iowa’s public universities to complete dedicated courses in American history and government to graduate. more

As of July 1, 2026, the Department of Education no longer calls nurses “professionals.” What does that mean? more

This summer, children in our community will sit down to wholesome, hearty dinners because of you. more

I’ll admit that I’ve never been much of a sports fan. The only “sport” I ever stuck with for longer than a season was marching band, and despite needing to be at every home football and basketball game because I was part of the band, sports never really grabbed my attention. more

This past Sunday, May 17, would have been the 76th birthday of the late, great lyricist, Howard Ashman. Even if you don’t know his name, you almost certainly know his music. more

“When more voters participate in a primary election, it helps ensure that the candidates in the general election are more representative of the people,” says Rock the Vote. The primary is your first chance to change the outcome of the midterms. more

If you’re a creative type, then I’m sure you’ve got a “dream project” in the back of your mind, whether that’s a story you hope to write one day, or a pitch for your own movie or TV show that you’d like to give. I have a book that I’ve been writing on and off for a few years now. Fingers crossed that I’ll finish it one day. more

E-15 is the ethanol gas blend that the EPA approved on (another) emergency waiver to increase fuel supply and reduce costs. Now special interests are fighting to make it officially year round.  It is not supposed to be used during the summer due to volatility that causes smog, but the EPA has been allowing it since 2022 through emergency waivers. You know. It’s the cheap one. more

We are now a week into overtime as negotiations continue around the state budget and a property tax reform bill. While it appears we have reached consensus on the budget, we still are working through the details of a property tax bill everyone can agree on—stay tuned. more