Tax bills in the Iowa Legislature have always been approved or disapproved by simple majorities. If most legislators want to raise taxes, or lower them, they do it the usual way: take a vote, up or …

As a daily user of Storm Lake’s sidewalks and streets to walk our dog, I applaud the city’s attempt to keep our sidewalks safe. Unfortunately for the homeowners, there is a lot of bright green …

These remarks were delivered to the Storm Lake United Banquet on April 17. You realize that you have almost achieved fossil status when you are asked to review the past half-century in Storm …

“Unsustainable” is a fascinating word, especially when it is used in government and politics. Merriam-Webster, the dictionary folks, tell us unsustainable means something cannot be continued or …

Humorist Mark Twain, when he heard rumors that he had passed away, reportedly replied, “Reports of my death are grossly exaggerated.” The same might be said of print publications. In …

“I hate wind,” Donald Trump told a crowd of oil industry executives at a Mar-a-Lago fundraiser last week, according to the Washington Post. We hate wind, too, when it leaves dirt in your teeth, …

It was the best of luck, it was the worst of luck. On the one hand, a dimwitted skunk who stuck its snout in an empty cup but was rescued by a kindly cop. On the other, a fellow minding his own …

Our homeowner’s insurance carrier a few weeks ago sent me our annual premium notice for the 12-month period beginning April 10, 2024. The valuations of our house, garage and personal property had …

Last week, the House released the House Health and Human Services Budget. This budget appropriates $2.217 billion of state general fund to the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of …

An effort to undermine the Iowa Tuition Grant program came up before this legislative session, when some college students began to protest Israel’s bombing of Gaza following the Hamas terrorist …

A five-year farm bill was supposed to have been approved last year, but was held up in the House over disagreements on food stamps, conservation, crop insurance and funding. House Agriculture …

When we refuse to pay a living wage, we never think of who we hurt at every stage. We hurt our weak and disabled poor elderly who suffer daily, waiting for nurses to help. Their pleas go unheeded. No …

Hats off to the city crews who have cleared the lakeshore of brush, weeds and volunteer trees along Lakeshore Drive between Chautauqua and Sunset parks.  It is beautiful and so wonderful to have …

When word came out of Texas on April 1 that avian flu had made another unwelcome hop — this one from a dairy cow to a human — the news seemed like an April Fool’s joke. It wasn’t. In …

Most people never have the opportunity to view a total solar eclipse during their lifetimes. I’ve had the good fortune to witness two of the rare celestial events. My first total eclipse was …

The 13th week of the legislative session involved a lot of debate by the whole Senate on important legislation and issues. We are working our way through bills that have been amended by the House and …

The Arizona Supreme Court threw a twist into the nation’s politics this week when it ruled that a 19th-Century law banning nearly all abortions is enforceable. Arizona is a presidential swing state …

When I search for an escape and excuse from putting my Federal income tax bombs together and collating 2023 documents to fund our foreign war efforts, I, too, seek refuge from serious world problems …

My folks floated over the pond with the cattle down below in steerage. One was an indentured servant, another a prison guard, others were among an army of Irish who helped drive the Native people off …

Jefferson won a remarkable award a couple of weeks ago. To win anything like it takes major contributions of at least three ingredients: time, treasure and talent. A whole lot of people chipped in a …