Gov. Kim Reynolds did not acquit herself well when testifying about government efficiency at a US House hearing last week. She was asked if she agreed with the suggestion from disgraced former …

It’s getting crazy out there. Scary storms overhead. You could drink. Or pull the covers over your head. You can’t escape it. It’s hard to take the news: Trump wants a …

A Jan. 9 Iowa Appeals Court decision could bring a major change to the conduct of meetings by Iowa’s local government bodies, including county supervisors, city councils, and school boards. …

The beginning of the legislative session brings a lot of ideas. A LOT of ideas. Fortunately and unfortunately, every member can introduce any legislation they see fit. You've probably …

Last week, I was called to assist with setting up a shelter, then spending the night there, in Sioux City on behalf of the Red Cross. There had been a rather large fire in an apartment complex. Over …

We grow wistful for the days of Republican Senate Leader Bob Dole of Kansas working with Democratic Sen. George McGovern of South Dakota to promote school nutrition and international feeding programs …

Republicans campaign that they’re the pro business party that wants to get rid of regulations hindering the free flow of commerce. Actions by President Trump during the past two weeks have …

Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird again tried to put herself in the national spotlight last week as leader of a group of Republican attorneys general who fixed their sights on Costco over the …

This is the end of Week Three of the 45/47 regime, although is it his regime? It seems more like a takeover by a South African who’s bent on world domination, whose ego is even bigger and more …

Last week was the third week of the legislative session, and the work definitely kicked up as we had a full week of subcommittees scheduled. On Monday, we started the week with the Rally for …

John Cullen’s Jan. 31, 2025, piece about diminishing interest in community service clubs notes that GenXers and Millennials are often void of service motivations. We cannot overlook the …

The ink was barely dry on our obituary for the Aurelia Star when President Trump last week ordered tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China (Iowa’s top ag export markets). We understand that will …

The teachers tying one on in the booth next to us were working up to Friday on a Thursday at Red’s in North Liberty. They howled and screeched. I could barely hear son Kieran and his wife Holly …

This year marks the centennial of the notorious Scopes trial. The trial played out in 1925 in Dayton, Tennessee, and addressed the question whether a state could ban the teaching of e - - - - - - - - …

Stubbornly high prices for heavy equipment, supplies, and technology continue to impact the budget of the Department of Transportation. This was the department’s message as it presented its …

Hugo Balta, executive editor of The Fulcrum, whose social media platform exhibits highly factual and credible ratings from Media Bias/Fact Check, wrote in his Jan. 25 op-ed “now is the time to …

I am the great-granddaughter of immigrants to this country. A vast majority of people who live in the United States are immigrants or descendants of immigrants. I am very happy to live in a …

The Cherokee County Board of Supervisors this week reaffirmed its earlier decision not to name the Aurelia Star an official county publication. The loss of revenue, about $8,000 annually, will throw …

Service clubs, which used to be the backbones of community service, are fading into obscurity. We’re talking about groups like Kiwanis, Rotary and Lions. Plus fraternal societies that were …

I was in Eagle Grove last week. Like many travelers in Iowa, I stopped at Casey’s before leaving town. Eagle Grove is a meatpacking community, and many jobs are held by Hispanic men and …