Breaking News

Opinion

Q&A: Blue slips

Local Columns

Q: What is the blue slip tradition in the U.S. Senate? A: The blue slip refers to a paper form, literally a blue piece of paper, the Senate Judiciary Committee has used for more than a century to give home-state senators the courtesy to show their endorsement or disapproval for a presidential nomination in their home state. It was designed to encourage consultation between the White House and senators for lifetime appointments to the federal bench, as well as U.S. attorneys and U.S. marshals. Article II of the Constitution creates a shared authority between the Senate and the ...

Honoring labor, honoring Jane Burleson

Local Columns

Recently, I was honored to introduce Fort Dodge’s own Jane Burleson as she was inducted into the Iowa Federation of Labor’s Hall of Fame. Jane’s incredible story is a reminder that the labor movement is not just about contracts and wages; it’s about people who spend their lives fighting for fairness, dignity, and opportunity for everyone. As I drove back up from Des Moines, I was thinking that every year around this time, I see a lot of Labor Day imagery. Barbecues. Hands clutching hammers. And always, American flags. And I think to myself, of course the flag is there. ...

The Messenger to unveil 68th football publication

Editorial

Fall in Iowa is the season of harvest, pumpkins, orange-colored leaves and, of course, football. On cool Friday evenings and on Saturday afternoons, people from all across the Fort Dodge area gather every fall to watch their local heroes of the gridiron compete. They’ll scream and cheer for their favorite team, occasionally grumble about the referees and even embody the Iowa nice tradition by applauding fine play by the opponents. The cool evenings seem to have arrived, and the high school football season will kick off on Friday. To learn about Dodger Stadium, the iconic venue ...

Area residents must take advantage of Fort Dodge Regional’s air service

Editorial

Skywest Airlines Inc., doing business as United Express, provides flights between Fort Dodge and Chicago. All of us have a big role to play to make sure that service stays at Fort Dodge Regional Airport. To do that, local people need to make an effort to use that airline and the airport for all their flight needs. United Express is flying 50-seat jets to and from Fort Dodge. If the community keeps those seats full, the airline will have lots of incentive to keep flying to and from our hometown. There are some nice incentives for people to take advantage of this air service. First, ...

Local residents need to remember the good things

Editorial

Fort Dodge had an opportunity Monday to make a good first impression on a company that could be a major part of the community in the future. The early results from the Hometown Tour by representatives of Kading Properties appear to be good. The company leaders had good things to say about Fort Dodge before they had even completed their tour. And there are plenty of things in Fort Dodge and the surrounding area to say good good things about. This is a community that has successfully revitalized the location where an old enclosed mall once stood. One Kading Properties official said ...

‘One, Big, Beautiful Bill’ is jet fuel for economy

Local Columns

Among several issues that Americans report as their highest priorities, a strong economy usually tops the list. That makes complete sense. After all, a strong economy means bigger paychecks, more jobs, and greater opportunities for families, farmers, workers, and businesses in Iowa and nationwide to thrive. Like my fellow Iowans and Americans, a strong economy where businesses can grow, farms can invest, and families can keep more of their hard-earned money is also a top priority for me. As the only member of Congress who serves on both the House Ways and Means Committee and the House ...