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Take it slow in ice and snow

It’s that time of year again! Yes, Christmas and New Year’s is fast approaching. However, whether you love it or hate it, “Old Man Winter” is knocking on our door. Snow will blanket our great state which can certainly create some beautiful scenery. But it can also cause a lot of headaches for motorists, truck drivers, road crews, and first responders alike. Troopers are often asked about the worst part of the job. Some responses vary, but most troopers will say working blizzards on the interstate ranks right at the top of the list. So, depending on your perspective, it can be a ...

Fort Dodge natives Tim, Terri Burke honored for volunteer work

When Tim and Terri Burke were honored as 2024 Citizens of the Year by the United Way of the Midlands in Omaha, they didn’t have time to bask afterward in the glow of winning the prestigious award for their volunteer work. They had yet another volunteer commitment to fulfill — and ...

We must stop our rapid accumulation of debt

At the end of July, our national debt peaked at $35 trillion — a figure once considered unthinkable. However, just 118 days later, our country surpassed another sobering milestone — $36 trillion in debt. This rapid accumulation of debt threatens our economic security, weakens the value of the dollar, emboldens our adversaries like China and Iran, and jeopardizes our longstanding status as the world’s reserve currency. As a fiscal conservative, I believe that we must end reckless government spending and balance our federal budget to reduce our debt and get our fiscal house in ...

Let’s talk budget cuts

My fellow Iowans sent me to the Senate 10 years ago to make the porkers squeal. It’s been a very lonely fight. Even in this era of political polarization, Democrats and Republicans always come together in agreement over one issue: living high off the hog. When faced with proposals to trim the fat from Washington’s budget, the turkeys in Congress from both parties act like Goldilocks. The portions are always too little or too big, always too hard, and never just right. But the real make-believe of this fairy tale is that it’s impossible to reduce Washington’s budget ...

Q & A on Main Street Fort Dodge

Please provide some background information about Main Street Fort Dodge and its mission. The Downtown Fort Dodge Self-Supported Municipal Improvement District became a Main Street Iowa district in 2017. Our mission is “Working to reclaim the downtown’s historical purpose and prosperity by revitalizing the culture and character of its original merchant district.” Affiliated with Main Street Iowa and Main Street America, the district encompasses 33 blocks, making Main Street Fort Dodge the third largest district in the state. What specific events or activities are planned to ...

Q & A: Seasonal shopping scams

Q: What should online shoppers know to keep their wallets safe this holiday season? A: No matter the time of year, consumers need to take precautions to protect their hard-earned money from scams, particularly when shopping online during the holiday season. Last year, the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) tallied more than $73 million in losses from cybersecurity scams during the holiday season. A tried and true tip is worth repeating and sharing with friends and loved ones: if a deal sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Specifically, be on alert for unsolicited ...