Rarely have I been so qualified for an assignment as I was last week. I got an email June 8 from a marketing guy in Des Moines. Would I be interested in visiting several farms near Havelock, …

Imagine punishing your kid for telling the truth by taking away their allowance years later. It makes no sense, but that’s the logic behind an assertion by Kraig Paulsen, the Director of the Iowa …

In the ongoing, years-long group text between my four brothers and sister, there was a brief exchange the Saturday before Memorial Day between me, son Paul, and my next younger brother Perry. I …

Chris Jones and his boss at the water works used to ask as they gathered daily to discuss the roiling river’s polluted water: “Where’s the outrage?” Iowans are freaking out over our …

Our neighbors living here under Temporary Protected Status from places like Haiti, Cuba or Central America are in immediate danger of deportation to places of chaos and mayhem now that the US Supreme …

On Saturday Storm Lake joins the rest of the nation in celebrating the 250th birthday of the United States of America. It was on July 4, 1776, that our nation’s founders, meeting in Philadelphia, …

In 2023, I left a long-term marriage and long-term home ownership and became a renter. I’m lucky that my rent doesn’t consume more than 30% of my salary. Even though I have money set aside for …

Donald Trump is the most consequential President of the United States in more than 75 years. He now controls, partially controls, or heavily influences most of the major sectors of American life. He …

Earlier this season, Mayor Meg McKeon announced an essay contest for Storm Lake students. The writing topic was “Why I’m Storm Lake Proud.” Several students responded with essays. The mayor …

When in the course of human events it becomes necessary to terminate the tenure of an official in government, decent respect requires that the causes should be declared. We hold these truths to …

In yet another effort to explain the 2025 changes to the Federal Milk Marketing Orders, a mid-June headline in a widely respected farm newspaper carried this news: “Milk pricing explained: ‘New …

The Declaration of Independence states “that among these [unalienable rights] are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness…” Simple, straightforward, basic rights — correct? Yes, but …

The view to the northwest of the Iowa State Capitol is much different this summer, as the Wallace State Office Building no longer stands at the corner of East Ninth Street and Grand Avenue. While …

“I am apt to believe that [Independence Day] will be celebrated, by succeeding Generations, as the great anniversary Festival. It ought to be commemorated, as the Day of Deliverance by solemn Acts …

Our region is attracting attention from renewable energy developers and opposition from suspicious neighbors. Cherokee County is trying to assemble an ordinance governing solar arrays and battery …

Normally we Cullens try to stay out of the news, but last week we made a little of it ourselves when a big thunderstorm ripped apart an ash tree in our front yard. Mary and I were pictured with the …

When my parents built a new home in the post-WWII housing heyday, they planted two apple trees and tilled a garden in the backyard. They dug an additional plot at the back of a second adjoining lot. …

As Americans celebrate the nation’s 250th birthday with parades, speeches, fireworks and other patriotic traditions, much attention will focus on familiar symbols of our history — monuments, …

In 17 months of President Trump’s second term of office, he is responsible for the U.S. government taking taxpayer money to purchase equity stakes in 14 private and 14 publicly held companies. …

I considered returning to Storm Lake to celebrate the Fourth of July this year but it seems wrong. Now the flag stands for protecting billionaire pedophiles, throwing children into concentration …