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Meeting with Iowans in Webster and Hamilton counties on my 36 County Tour

Local Columns

On Thursday April 24th, I continued my 36 County Tour meeting with Iowans in Webster and Hamilton counties. This tour is a promise that I made to my constituents when I was first elected to Congress, pledging that I would visit all 36 counties in our district – Iowa’s 4th Congressional District – at least twice each year. To date, I have made nearly 350 individual stops, visiting farms, biofuels plants, hospitals, schools, universities, Main Street businesses, and manufacturers. I always enjoy having real, face-to-face conversations with Iowans about their policy suggestions and ...

Sign up for fun at Frontier Days

Editorial

Mention Frontier Days and perhaps the first thing that comes to mind for many people is the massive parade that moves down almost the entire length of Central Avenue. It’s a signature part of a traditional three-day event that celebrates the frontier heritage of Fort Dodge 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 2025 version of Frontier Days is a little more than a month away. It will be held June 6-8. The theme for this year, which is the 50th ...

Debris in Davenport is gone, but secrets remain

Local Columns

As we approach the second anniversary of a tragedy that shocked the people of Davenport and brought national attention to the issue of building safety, government secrecy continues to cloud public understanding of just what happened and who to hold accountable. The tragedy occurred a few minutes before 5 p.m. on Sunday, May 28, 2023, when the back wall of a Davenport apartment building gave way, bringing down much of the six-story residence that occupied a quarter block across the street from City Hall. Three people died in the collapse. Rescuers amputated the leg of a fourth victim ...

Spring cleaning helps keep city looking good

Editorial

On Wednesday afternoon, groups of people carrying garbage bags could be seen moving through fields on the east side of Fort Dodge, in the area where lots of stores are located. As they moved, they gradually filled those bags with every piece of litter they found. That effort was the annual spring cleanup, once called the FOD Walk. For more than 15 years, the effort organized by the Greater Fort Dodge Growth Alliance has made our community a bit cleaner. The endeavor was started by Rhonda Chambers, the director of aviation at Fort Dodge Regional Airport who once led the alliance’s ...

County attorney explains dog neglect case

Letters to the Editor

To the editor: The Webster County Attorney's Office respects and appreciates the efforts of the Fort Dodge Messenger in their coverage of our local court system. However, it is necessary to respond to the article on the animal neglect case of David Collan published in your April 23rd, 2025, edition. Las fall, our office, in conjunction with local law enforcement and animal control, successfully removed 29 dogs from Mr. Collan that had been neglected. A judgment of more than $20,000 was also entered. Most of these dogs have now recovered and have been placed with responsible ...

California wants to ban our bacon? Not on my watch

Local Columns

California is home to high taxes, billion dollar boondoggles, and a liberal agenda. Clearly, the folks there shouldn’t be calling the shots on anything, let alone our farms. Iowa’s dedicated producers rise before the rooster crows and toil in the fields long after dark to keep our great state number one in corn, eggs, ethanol, and of course, pork. Our farmers go “whole hog” for their animals, prioritizing their safety and going the extra mile to uphold health standards. No one knows agriculture like Iowans do. That’s why I can’t stay silent while radical coastal ...