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Local Columns

Family homelessness is now a crisis

United Way of Greater Fort Dodge is working hard to help homeless families with children. Family homelessness in the U.S., in Iowa and in Fort Dodge is on the rise at an alarming rate. Experts that help families in poverty blame this alarming problem on the increasing cost of rent, utilities, ...

Keeping new baby safe and healthy

Welcoming a newborn baby into the world is an exciting time, although it may be full of uncertainty and questions for first-time parents or grandparents. Questions about baby’s health, sleeping routines and nursing are often at the top of the list. In just a few short months, I’ll become a ...

33 trillion reasons to restore fiscal responsibility in Congress

Roughly three months after our country exceeded $32 trillion in debt, we have surpassed another grim milestone and broken another unfortunate record. Our national debt has officially eclipsed $33 trillion, which is now the highest debt burden in American history. To put this figure into ...

It’s easy to register to vote in Iowa

Iowa is a national leader in voter participation and registration. As Iowa’s State Commissioner of Elections, I want to see every eligible Iowan to vote, and it starts with voter registration. Iowans have a lot to be proud of when it comes to civic engagement and voter participation, and we ...

For the Farm Bill, Washington needs to listen to Iowa

I always look forward to the Iowa State Fair as an opportunity to celebrate the role Iowa plays in providing the world’s food, feed, fiber and fuel. As general manager of one of Iowa’s agricultural cooperatives, NEW Cooperative headquartered in Fort Dodge, my favorite fair attractions ...

All I can say is thank you

Just over a week ago, the Manson Northwest Webster school community lost a longtime beloved music educator with the unexpected death of Brad Bleam. It has taken me the better part of a week to formulate the words to describe what this man has meant not only to me, but to the Manson ...