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Opinion

Soybeans are big business in Iowa

Editorial

Nobody knows exactly how long humans have cultivated the soybean, but agricultural historians seem quite certain its domestication as a crop in China dates back three millennia. There are actually Chinese records documenting soybean growth as far back as the 11th century. There is some disagreement about who first introduced soybeans into North America, but researchers seem to agree that by the 1760s, soybean seed had reached Georgia. Whatever the origin, few would dispute that in the 21st century, soybean cultivation is important to the world as a food source and a great deal more. ...

Scholarship honors the memory of Landon Smith

Editorial

Area residents will soon have the opportunity to enjoy good food and live music as a way to support the training of the next generation of local electricians. At the root of the effort is the remarkable grit of a Fort Dodge woman determined to see that something good would come out of the tragic death of her son. That woman is Donna Smith. Her son, Landon Smith, was an electrical technologies student at Iowa Central Community College when he died in a 2020 motorcycle crash. At the time of his death, the COVID pandemic was disrupting just about every aspect of life. One result was ...

Impressed by the kindness of a stranger

Letters to the Editor

To the editor: I wish to share an experience I had while shopping for groceries at Walmart this past Tuesday morning, Sept. 22. As I was checking out with a clerk, my credit card would not work in the machine. I did not have any cash or checks to pay for it. The young lady behind me spoke up and told the clerk she would pay for it in her checking out. I was so surprised and thanked her, but was in a hurry to meet our bus. I took the cart of groceries and left the store. I was so surprised and thankful. I want her to know I intend to give an equal amount to a local charity. Carol ...

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, ...