×

Local Columns

The architecture of liberty: returning to our educational roots

Every day, I find myself returning to a single, grounding philosophy: Know where you have come from, know where you are, and know where you are going. It is a simple compass, but it is the only way to ensure we aren’t just drifting with the political winds of the day. When we apply this to ...

John Perkins’ legacy – helping save St. Edmond Catholic School

The legacy of John Perkins can be seen and heard at St. Edmond Catholic School on every school day as 800 students from pre-kindergarten through high school file into classrooms each morning for another day of learning. In the wake of Perkins’ death Feb. 9 to cancer at the age of 76, ...

Your newspaper has a vital role in the community

Your local newspaper, The Messenger, has historically been a little bit of everything from a news and information perspective. It has always provided local news that is uniquely sourced, but it also offers ample amounts of state, national, and world news. It publishes television listings, ...

State Senate moves to address illegal immigration

This week the Senate passed several common sense proposals aimed at addressing illegal immigration. One of the first bills we passed was Senate File 2203, which requires the secretary of state to verify that those on voter registration lists are United States citizens. Last year, the ...

Grant Wood memorialized Iowa’s heritage

For 46 years in a row, I’ve traveled across our state to meet with Iowans in every county, every year. Each time, I learn something new in the county I’m visiting and enjoy getting a first-hand look at high-quality goods and services made here in Iowa. Some things never change, such as ...

Winning the war on waste at the Pentagon

Our armed forces are the most powerful, advanced, courageous, and capable team made up of the finest men and women ever assembled. President Trump’s call for a $1.5 trillion defense budget demonstrates an unwavering commitment to maintaining this might. If we are going to spend nearly as ...