Opinion

Appreciates work done by Beacon of Hope

Letters to the Editor May 6, 2026

To the editor: I have been a steadfast supporter of the Beacon of Hope since its inception under the leadership of Steven Roe. My commitment to this cause has continued throughout the organization’s journey, including its ongoing efforts under the guidance of Brian Bidleman. The dedication and perseverance demonstrated by the Beacon of Hope inspire confidence and deserve continued recognition from our community. Jesus Christ tells us “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine you did for me.” The Beacon has done this since its ...

Editorial May 4, 2026

Mention Frontier Days and perhaps the first thing that comes to mind for many people is the massive parade that moves through downtown Fort Dodge. It’s a signature part of a traditional three-day event which celebrates the frontier heritage of the community and truly launches the summer season. In addition to the parade, Frontier Days features music, food, games and live entertainment at the Fort Museum and Frontier Village. The 2026 version of Frontier Days is a little more than a month away. It will be held June 5-7. The theme for this year, which is the 51st version of Frontier ...

Use of wind power must be encouraged

Editorial May 2, 2026

Spend any time outdoors in Iowa and one thing becomes immediately apparent - the wind is always blowing. We Iowans are accustomed to the corn stalks rustling in the summer breeze. And we complain when the wind chill factor makes a cold January day feel even colder. But wind is a fact of life here. That constant steady wind provides Iowans with a basically endless supply of low cost electricity. Wind turbines can be seen throughout southern Webster County and much of the state. Those turbines generate 63 percent of the state’s electricity, according to the most recent figures ...

Walter Howey: Bursting onto national newspaper scene from Fort Dodge

Local Columns May 2, 2026

In the early days of newspapering in Fort Dodge, long before broadcast and computers and the Internet and AI and many other technological advancements, a young Walter Howey delighted in a feat still important to newspaper editors of today: Being first with the story. Fort Dodge was a ...

Fraudsters are treating the Treasury like a personal piggy bank

Local Columns April 27, 2026

Tax Day has come and gone ... along with the money the IRS took from your paycheck. Even if you paid your taxes on time and in full, you are still subject to the threat of an IRS audit. Meanwhile, fraudsters are treating the national treasury like a personal piggy bank, stealing more than $1 billion from the government every day. The IRS wants a cut of that loot, requiring that criminals report bribes and stolen goods as taxable income. But does anyone really think the crooks stealing tax dollars are going to share their spoils with the IRS? Fat chance. In fact, too many of ...

Nitrogen project is worthy of support

Editorial April 27, 2026

A project just getting underway offers a chance to address two issues that affect the state of Iowa every year: water quality and the cost of fertilizer. It is called the Nitrogen Soil Sampling Project. It involves the state Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, the Iowa Nutrient Research & Education Council and Iowa State University in Ames. Because of the great positive impact it can have, we believe it is worthy of support by Iowa’s farmers. Over the three-year run of this project, researchers will study the year-to-year variability in nitrogen availability and ...