Breaking News

Opinion

Fort Dodge is a medalist in fundraising

Editorial

When it comes to supporting athletes with intellectual disabilities, the Fort Dodge community is often a medalist. Citizens and local law enforcement officers come together annually to raise money for Special Olympics Iowa at an event called Cop on a Rooftop. It is an event held statewide. And when all the donations are tallied up, Fort Dodge is one of the top – if not the top – producer of donations for the athletes. Cop on a Rooftop is held at Dunkin’ Donuts, 2520 Fifth Ave. S. Yes, you read that right. Who knew that all those old, tired stereotypes about cops and doughnuts ...

Voting requires research

Editorial

For the last year, Iowans have been immersed in numerous political campaigns for Congress, the governor’s office, the state legislature and various county offices. A lot of people may feel like they have been bombarded by non-stop political ads. With the primary election just days away, the campaigning will no doubt reach a fever pitch. In a democracy, that is to be expected. Every candidate for every office wants to get their message out and take a few jabs at their opponents. As fed up as folks may get with all of this campaigning they may forget that they are lucky to live in ...

Building what’s next: Housing, quality of place and the power of partnership

Local Columns

As we move through the summer season, one thing remains clear: communities that win are the ones that are prepared. And in today’s economic environment, preparation starts with housing. One of the biggest barriers to the workforce is housing availability. Across the country, we are facing what many are calling the “missing middle” housing crisis. According to the National Low Income Housing Coalition, there is a shortage of 7.3 million affordable and available rental homes for the lowest-income renters. It impacts our workforce. The teachers, nurses, first responders, and ...

Supports Feenstra for governor

Letters to the Editor

To the editor: I am writing in support of Randy Feenstra for governor of Iowa. Please vote for him in the June 2 GOP Primary. This is a consequential election, and It is vitally important that we nominate someone who has the background, experience and record of results that will help propel our state forward while Iowa will face tough challenges over the next few years. I've known Randy for many years, during both his time in the Iowa Senate and in Congress. I know he wants to do what is best for Iowa. When I would visit Randy in Washington, D.C. on behalf of Iowa Central with our ...

Fertilizer costs jolt farm economy

Local Columns

Q: What can be done to lower fertilizer costs? A: As a farmer-lawmaker, I’m proud to serve as an outspoken advocate for family farmers. When there’s a natural disaster or headwinds in the farm economy, I raise the volume for rural America at the policymaking tables. At my annual 99 county meetings, I’m hearing from family farmers across Iowa about financial hardship with high input costs and low commodity prices. The cost of fuel and fertilizer is hammering thin operating margins. Farmers aren’t able to dictate the selling price for their commodities. Many sure find it ...

Collaboration led to a new life for Exposition Park

Editorial

Exposition Park in Fort Dodge has been a lot of different things over its many years of existence. Its newest version, to be unveiled Thursday, is an innovative one that shows how a rather plain patch of ground can become something attractive. And as is often the case in Fort Dodge and Webster County recently, it is a product of collaboration. In this case, that collaboration involved a couple of different city agencies and the Public Art Commission. But first a recap. The roughly three acres of ground along North Seventh Street near 14th Avenue North was a county fairgrounds a ...