Charlotte Moeller tagged along one fall Fort Dodge afternoon on the school bus driven by her boyfriend, Joe Tjaden, filled with exuberant children anxious to get home, when she noticed a kindergarten girl right behind his driver’s seat, obviously smitten with her driver. “The little ...
Rural healthcare is top-of-mind for many Iowans. Across our state, Iowans rely on rural hospitals for compassionate, personalized care close to home. Rural hospitals are also economic anchors that support local businesses, create jobs and help small towns thrive. That’s why we’re advancing policies that support rural healthcare and rural hospitals. Republicans’ Working Families Tax Cuts Act created a $50 billion Rural Health Transformation Fund, the largest investment in rural health care in history. Under the law, Iowa will receive a minimum of $100 million annually from ...
For many of us, June marks the welcome arrival of summer — a season filled with family gatherings, time outdoors and the abundance of fresh fruits and vegetables from local gardens and farmers markets. It’s also a wonderful reminder of the importance of healthy habits, such as regular physical activity and nutritious eating, which play a key role in reducing cancer risk and supporting overall well-being. With that in mind, I invite you to join me for the upcoming Cancer in Iowa: 99 Counties Project presentation at Iowa Central Community College’s Student Resource Center from 12 ...
It was May 2010 and veterans who flew to Washington on Fort Dodge’s first Honor Flight were gathered on a sunny morning at the World War II Memorial to pay respects to their fallen comrades. One of them was my dad, Walter Stevens, who served in the European Theater. He was accompanied ...
As we move through the summer season, one thing remains clear: communities that win are the ones that are prepared. And in today’s economic environment, preparation starts with housing. One of the biggest barriers to the workforce is housing availability. Across the country, we are facing what many are calling the “missing middle” housing crisis. According to the National Low Income Housing Coalition, there is a shortage of 7.3 million affordable and available rental homes for the lowest-income renters. It impacts our workforce. The teachers, nurses, first responders, and ...
Q: What can be done to lower fertilizer costs? A: As a farmer-lawmaker, I’m proud to serve as an outspoken advocate for family farmers. When there’s a natural disaster or headwinds in the farm economy, I raise the volume for rural America at the policymaking tables. At my annual 99 county meetings, I’m hearing from family farmers across Iowa about financial hardship with high input costs and low commodity prices. The cost of fuel and fertilizer is hammering thin operating margins. Farmers aren’t able to dictate the selling price for their commodities. Many sure find it ...
