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Kersten is deserving choice for Catalyst Award

Editorial

It is likely that no one has been as successful as Jim Kersten at approaching state and federal decision makers to secure their support for things that will benefit Fort Dodge, Webster County and Iowa Central Community College. For some, lobbying has a kind of negative connotation. But the reality is, in order to get help for a project or a program, someone has to make a case to the people who can provide the money or other assistance. When it comes to doing that skillfully and consistently, Kersten has no match. And he is motivated simply by his love for his hometown. The Greater ...

Lessons learned from sports impact Randy Kuhlman’s career

Local Columns

For nearly four decades, Randy Kuhlman has been known and admired by many for his tireless and passionate work on behalf of the Fort Dodge community. But there are some things even his closest friends may not know about Kuhlman, CEO of the Fort Dodge Community Foundation and the United ...

Sexton provides update, seeks input

Local Columns

The House Agriculture Committee passed House Study Bill 131 (Grain Indemnity Bill) by a bipartisan vote of 21-1. HSB 131 makes several modernizing changes to the state grain indemnity program which is now nearing four-decades old. Since the 1980s, when this program was created, Iowa production of grain has nearly doubled as have grain prices. Additionally, the rise of special grain sales such as for organic grain has created unforeseen risks in the program which in part precipitated the reinstatement of indemnity fees in 2023 when the Indemnity fund was drawn down by the bankruptcy of ...

Bills address variety of health care issues

Local Columns

Last Thursday I managed HF 313, a bill that relates to testimony at an involuntary commitment hearing for substance abuse disorder or serious mental impairment. This bill allows for an advanced registered nurse practitioner or a physician’s assistant to testify at these hearings if they have witnessed the examination, reviewed the report, and the professional that had originally examined the individual is unable to attend the hearing. This bill came to us from county attorneys. Some professionals that had examined the patient initially would not show up for the hearing, in which case ...

District tour highlights need for Farm Bill

Local Columns

Since I was first elected, I have traveled to every county in Iowa’s Fourth Congressional District at least twice a year as part of my 36 County Tour. It’s a commitment that I made to my constituents that I would be transparent and accessible, offering meaningful solutions to the problems facing our rural communities, state, and nation. Since beginning my 36 County Tour, I have visited Calhoun County nine times. Some of my recent trips include a town hall at Double D’s Ice Cream in Manson and a great tour at the Stewart Memorial Community Hospital — which is one of very few ...

Enjoy the Progress Agriculture section

Editorial

The annual Progress edition wraps up with the Agriculture section in today’s edition of The Messenger. It provides a comprehensive look at how a wide array of developments in our region are shaping the agricultural tomorrow. While every issue of this newspaper is filled with articles, features and advertisements that readers find informative and useful, the special section we call Progress provides a perspective that goes far beyond simply reporting the latest happenings. Our goal is to look at the big picture, capture trends and explore more fully events that may lead to headlines ...