We lost a great one when Paul Struck died on Monday at age 78. Our sympathies go to his wife, Darla, and family. The editor of the Cherokee Chronicle Times will be missed dearly. He was a …

Fast-moving mutation and spread of avian flu to humans should set off alarms and be met with an all-out effort to protect health and a reliable, safe food supply. Unfortunately, there is a prevailing …

When it comes to freedom of religion and the rights enshrined in the 45 words of the First Amendment, the devil is in the details in Iowa. Gov. Kim Reynolds' administration recently revoked …

There are roughly 1,200 positions in the federal government that require Senate confirmation. The first cabinet official was confirmed in 1789 when the Senate unanimously approved President George …

Each of us probably has a list of family members and friends to whom we give gifts at Christmastime (and sometimes on other special days as well, like birthdays.) It’s a heartwarming tradition, …

In addition to Christmas, Hanukkah and New Year’s Day, Iowans have another reason to celebrate during the last week of the year. On December 28, 1846, President James K. Polk signed a bill …

Before 2024 slides into history, some noteworthy farm and food updates, please, to ensure these stories go with it. First, on Dec. 10, two judges–one federal judge in Oregon, the other a …

It’s a week before Christmas, which means it is time for that Annual Holiday Letter and a good shot of freezing rain. Last Christmas Dolores and I both came down with Covid. Bah humbug! …

President Joe Biden’s recent pardon of his son Hunter Biden has reignited the debate over the presidential pardoning power. And argument over this constitutionally protected prerogative of the …

When and why did the United States turn into such a cesspool of hatred? Some people may disagree with that characterization. But events last week have or should put those questions front and …

There is much for citizens and their elected representatives to be aware of when considering the pros and cons of the Summit Carbon Solutions carbon dioxide pipeline proposed for Cherokee …

Earlier this year, the Pew Research Center reported that a majority of Americans felt worn out by political coverage. That’s a feeling we can all understand. With a deeply divisive …

Remember the “Grandfather’s Clock” song? How the clock kept accurate time for the old man’s entire life? “Ninety years without slumbering, tick, tock, tick, tock?” …

First chance I got following a tooth-pulling the Monday before Thanksgiving, I spat out that chunk of gauze and fired up a smoke. Then I checked instructions for post-extraction care: DO …

The first op-ed of this 3-part series (Women’s reaction to Trump’s victory) revealed the feelings of 11 women. Part two portrayed the thoughts of 12 women from across America. In this …

November is National Adoption Month, an opportunity to celebrate the blessings of family amid this season of thanksgiving. Growing the family tree through adoption is a special experience. From …

A list of President-elect Donald Trump’s nominees for Cabinet positions suggests strongly that he envisions the U.S. Cabinet playing a very different role from those that key appointees have …

Hang on snowflakes: If you think Iowa went crazy right the past few years, you ain’t seen nothin’ yet. Republicans widened their gaping majorities in the Iowa House and Senate. They …

I was asked to speak last week at the annual conference of the National Freedom of Information Coalition. My remarks boiled down to a simple message: The public needs more information about their …

I played a role in a movie three weeks ago, without even so much as a screen test. Well, technically speaking, I suppose, I didn’t actually debut on the big screen. It was more of an …