President Donald Trump is right to be concerned about what is happening in Venezuela. He is wrong to consider use of U.S. military force to correct the situation. Venezuela appears to be on the brink of chaos as a result of action taken by that country’s leftist president, Nicolas Maduro. ...
The Iowa Air National Guard 133rd Test Squadron plays a highly significant role in our nation’s defense. It tests communication gear, radar, data links and software before it is issued to all branches of the military. It has the distinction of being the only Air National Guard unit with this ...
Former President Barack Obama’s scuttling of the all-of-the-above energy policy our nation needs included a move most people in the Midwest probably did not notice. Given Obama’s vendetta against fossil fuels, that is understandable. But in 2010, Obama abandoned work on a proposed nuclear ...
First-class postage stamps at 49 cents each may be about to go the way of the carrier pigeon. By next month, the Postal Service may be given permission to increase stamp prices dramatically. Increasing use of online communications has hurt the Postal Service, cutting deeply into its revenue. ...
Silver screen spy James Bond may have driven an Aston Martin, but one wonders how the high-end sports car fit into Afghanistan’s intelligence agency — especially since U.S. taxpayers covered the cost. When U.S. Sens. Rob Portman, R-Ohio, and Claire McCaskill, D-Mo., heard rumors last year ...
Tens of thousands of American military personnel have served in the assorted wars on terrorism that have been an unfortunate, but necessary, part of life in the 21st century. Unfortunately, thousands of these American patriots have given their lives in these crucial battles to preserve our way ...
Hard as it is to believe, it’s almost time to begin outfitting youngsters for their return to school. The assorted clothing and supplies they will need can end up being a fairly hefty expense. For those families with limited incomes, the challenge can be especially daunting. That’s why ...
Popular sporting event is great fun and supports worthy cause Tall corn and dragon boats may seem like an odd combination, but here in Webster County they both have emerged as symbolic of summer. The 21st annual Badger Lake Dragon Boat Bash — sponsored by CJ Bio America — will take ...
Farmers markets are becoming more common not only in Iowa, but also across the nation. The U.S. Department of Agriculture took note of that development be proclaiming this week National Farmers Market Week. In his proclamation, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue took note of the ...
MS-13 is one of the most vicious criminal organizations in history. All one needs to know about MS-13 is that its preferred method of killing is to use machetes, axes and knives to hack victims apart slowly. Not infrequently, the group’s targets are children. Last week, President Donald ...
A package of emergency funding for the Department of Veterans Affairs was approved by the U.S. Senate recently. It includes $2.1 billion for a special program to ensure veterans are not kept waiting for health care treatment at VA facilities. Meanwhile, the agency continues to spend in some ...
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro is well aware of the powerlessness of leaders in this country and others upset about his ongoing repression of his own people. Despite enormous oil reserves, Venezuela’s economy is a shambles and Maduro’s regime is in the process of making liberty no more ...
If you love a parade, plan to be in Des Moines Wednesday evening at 6:15. That’s when what’s billed as the state’s largest parade will be the kickoff event for what may well be the grandest of our nation’s state agricultural festivals — the Iowa State Fair. Iowans gathered in ...
For decades, U.S. military strategy could be focused on the single nation capable of launching an attack on our mainland, the old Soviet Union. A secondary, though still important, consideration was China. There were no other major threats to Americans here in the United States. That has ...
It’s hard to believe, but area families are already beginning to think about the items that will be needed to send young folks back to school properly equipped and looking good. According to the National Retail Foundation, a typical family with children in school will spend nearly $600 on ...
On Wednesday, it was learned that Fort Dodge’s application to rejoin Main Street Iowa has been approved. That’s great news. It should be a source of pride for all Fort Dodgers. For 35 years, Main Street America has helped historic downtowns and neighborhood commercial districts address the ...
Providing affordable health care that puts meeting each patient’s needs with compassion at the heart of the process has long been the focus of the valuable services provided to our town by the Community Health Center of Fort Dodge Thanks in part to a $1 million grant made available through ...
Innocent until proven guilty? Not under the old asset forfeiture programs many police departments and prosecuting attorneys used for years. Extreme abuses ranging from confiscating assets of people who had nothing to do with crimes to tying up cars and other belongings before defendants ever ...
Politics in our country has taken a decidedly unpleasant, unproductive turn during recent years. Once, we Americans were able to agree to disagree. We could have sometimes dramatically opposing views on the issues, debating them fiercely, without shattering our sense of being one people with ...
Selling American agricultural products internationally makes an important contribution to our nation’s economy. It’s also hugely significant for the Hawkeye State. According to information provided by the United States Department of Agriculture, agricultural exports support more than 1 ...