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Opinion

Writer wants incumbents out of office

Letters to the Editor

To the editor: I don’t know about you folks , but I’m getting really tired of all these political ads. You’ve probably got an idea who’s going to get your vote. That is, if you’re going to vote, but I hope so. Just remember who we have to thank for the tariffs, the One Big Beautiful Bill, $4.40 a gallon gas and $6 diesel fuel. The Strait of Hormuz was open, and we had people helping to furnish fuel to the rest of the world. All our representatives and senators from Iowa voted for everything the current administration wanted. Tariffs have made things three times higher ...

Area residents don’t have to look far for fall fun

Editorial

The days are now noticeably shorter. And the temperature seems to dip just a little bit lower every night. Those are sure signs that fall is here. The long lazy days of summer may be over, but that doesn’t mean there are no more chances for fun outside. And that fun can be found close to Fort Dodge, which is an added bonus with gasoline prices through the roof and unlikely to come down anytime soon. In the Fort Dodge area, there are some remarkable opportunities for families to enjoy this fall. There are long running festivals that are returning this year with fun, food and of ...

Refutes Grassley’s stance on socialism

Letters to the Editor

To the editor: This letter responds to Sen. Chuck Grassley’s editorial “Socialism doesn’t work” published Monday, Aug. 24, 2026. Sen. Grassley and Republican senators clearly support tariffs without oversight. Tariffs have raised prices on goods for consumers and farmers. On Liberation Day, April 2, 2025, Donald Trump imposed tariffs on approximately 140 countries under IEEPA (International Emergency Economic Powers Act). Trump’s tariffs are considered a form of taxation and were ruled unconstitutional by the Supreme Court. Because those tariffs were ruled illegal, ...

Urban deer hunt begins in Fort Dodge on private lands

Editorial

A deer hunting season is getting underway in Fort Dodge. It starts today and continues through Jan. 10, 2027. Chances are good that many people will have no indication that it is happening. The fact that the hunting won't be obvious to everyone in town is a good thing. We hope it stays that way because that means the hunt is being conducted flawlessly by expert archers. The hunt will be conducted on privately owned land that meets size requirements. Most of that property is on the northern, eastern and western edges of the city. The decision to allow what is called an urban ...

One man’s trauma spurs effort to help others

Editorial

Most people take their arms and legs for granted. They use them every day to do anything they want to do. But what would happen if suddenly, an arm or a leg wasn’t there? What if a person had to go on without an arm or a leg that was lost to disease or some massive injury? John Thompson, of Fort Dodge, found out what would happen when, about five years ago, his right leg below the knee had to be amputated due to complications of diabetes. After he got out of the hospital, he found there wasn’t a lot of support available for amputees. He used his own willpower and physical ...

Keep Iowa’s roads safe during harvest

Editorial

Following the recent area rains, the corn and soybeans have to dry down quite a bit before farmers can harvest them. But it won’t be too long before the combines roll. Soon it will be the time of the year when big, slow-moving farm vehicles rumble out onto roadways dominated by faster-paced traffic. That shouldn't be a surprise to anyone who lives in farm country. Even so, all of us should pay special heed to safety considerations as we share the roads with agricultural vehicles. In general, Iowa has been doing a good job of keeping accidents involving farm vehicles to a minimum. ...