Columns

Earlier this month, we observed the 19th anniversary of 9/11. We honored the memory of three thousand souls whose lives were stolen for the sole purpose of inflicting terror upon 300 million Americans. We grieve with their loved ones left behind and salute first responders who selflessly put their lives on the line to save others. ...

Recently we have heard a lot of talk about defunding our police in this country. This talk started in Minneapolis and has since spread to large and medium cities in our nation. Instead of defunding the police, I prefer to defend our police. These brave folks have done nothing but protected and served us through all the targeting and anger of the mobs who are rioting and looting...

Americans are cleaning like never before and seeking ways to keep homes and workplaces free of COVID-19. As a result, scams and misleading claims are spreading. Some businesses offer cleaning products or services that claim long-lasting protection ― 90 days in some cases ― against the coronavirus.  ...

By now, most young people in our community are back in school, in a classroom, at a desk. A whole spectrum of emotions — from joy to fear — comes with that depending on the circumstances, but the doors are once again open. It might be tempting to take this as a sign that we've finally got the COVID-19 pandemic on the run, but that all depends on where our community goes from here...

The Sportsman's 6th Annual Tiki Ride had its biggest event yet on Aug. 1 as it brought in several hundred riders and a $3,500 donation to Dickinson County Trails. The ride grows bigger and better every year and, with matching grant funds, the proceeds will garner over $14,000 for trail development. DCTB thanks Sportsman's, their staff and the many volunteers that work so hard to make this fun event happen...


In Iowa, we expect our politicians to show up. Meeting with Iowans is the highest priority for our political leaders. Just look at Sens. Joni Ernst and Chuck Grassley and our Gov. Kim Reynolds, who visit all 99 counties every year. So, it's disappointing to see Democratic U.S. ...

  Doesn't it just seem like one thing after another? We're in the midst of a global pandemic, which has taken the lives of more than 1,000 Iowans, and then we get hit by a derecho. It's been a trying year for folks across Iowa. The challenges we're facing as a state, and a nation, are some of the toughest in a lifetime. ...

    A: The U.S Postal Service touches every household and business in the nation. Benjamin Franklin served as the first postmaster general, leading the mission to build a trusted network of public infrastructure and connect people and commerce with a universal mail delivery service. ...

The text came last Monday, just before lunch, from my son in Des Moines. "Severe thunderstorms here now. We're in shelter. Happy Monday." That was my first indication that somewhere in Iowa, things weren't as calm and dry as they were here in the northwest corner of the state...

    A: As schools and businesses transition their workforces and students online due to the pandemic, Iowans need to take internet security measures seriously. Be aware that home networks are vulnerable to malicious actors looking to steal personal information as well as sensitive work-related data...

On Aug. 3, Margaret Sullivan, author of the book "Ghosting The News: Local Journalism And The Crisis Of American Democracy," appeared on NPR's "Fresh Air." She was asked about why she was sounding the alarm about newspapers. Her response: "Well, it's — it is an alarming situation but one that, most members of the public don't seem to be very tuned into. ...

I've lived my whole life using the talent that was given me. I've worked to hone and refine my talent and have created a lifelong occupation singing and entertaining those who love the music. Some of the highlights of my life have been the many appearances on national television shows such as the Steve Allen Show, The Ed Sullivan Show, Kraft Music Hall, the Mike Douglas Show and 76 appearances — the record for a singer — on "the Tonight Show," starring Johnny Carson. ...

For two weeks this July, we crisscrossed our state, carrying forward a tradition started by Senator Grassley 40 years ago to meet with Iowans in every county, every year. On this road trip, we each reached Iowans in 29 counties. Like Iowa students who are eager to return to their classrooms and campuses in August, we sure were grateful to meet directly with our constituents...

I was having an e-mail discussion with a good friend this week and realized something I am appalled about that I felt a need to share. America has become sharply divided to a point that my fellow Americans are self-censoring according to a survey completed by The CATO Institute. ...

The COVID-19 pandemic and its associated economic fallout have exposed America's broken health care system once again. Countless patients are returning home from the hospital with no knowledge of the devastating medical bills awaiting them. And employers face new, COVID-induced health care costs at the same time their revenues have come under pressure...

    A: This historic civil rights law has empowered tens of millions of Americans with disabilities to live a higher quality of life and eliminate barriers to employment, education and economic opportunities in communities across our great nation. During debate on the Senate floor 30 years ago, I introduced an amendment to make the ADA apply to the legislative branch of the federal government...

Throughout this pandemic I've continued to listen to and hear from Iowans in all corners of our state. During telephone town halls, virtual town halls, conference calls, Facebook live events, and so much more, I've continued to hear directly from Iowans and have been able to bring their fight and voices to Washington...

  A: When a loved one goes to the hospital for cancer treatments, orthopedic surgery or complications from COVID-19, American consumers and taxpayers deserve to know what hospitals will charge for their services. For years, I've heard from Iowans who are fed up with the secrecy shrouding the prices they pay for pharmaceuticals, medical care and hospital stays...

Oliver sat forward in his chair. It was the first of three heaves needed to get out of the sagging recliner. Oliver had to admit both he and the chair were starting to show their age — a tear here, some spots there — but he still felt young. He hadn't even retired yet and, if he needed to rock himself a few times to get out of a chair and grab a snack during a commercial break on his day off, then Father Time hadn't the stamina to go a few rounds with ol' Ollie...

Have you ever wondered about our national anthem and how it came to be?  What does it matter anyway, it's just a song or its just a flag, right? In today's era where we have rioting; people offended by the flag, anthem, founding fathers, statues, and God knows what else, I thought I would look at unity...

  The COVID-19 pandemic has been what I call a great awakening when it comes to the vulnerabilities in our supply chain. It's clear now, maybe more than ever, that the United States has become too dependent on Communist China for items like personal protective equipment, prescription drugs and other essential medical supplies. We need to fix that...

Let’s talk about masks. As the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic stretches on, with accelerating case counts around the U.S. and the death toll rising above 128,000 in this country, it seems unthinkable that the request of citizens to wear masks when out in public elicits such strong negative responses among a disturbingly-large segment of the population...

The U.S. economy has begun to reopen, but don't expect the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic to lessen, economists warn. The uncertainty could mean more Americans have trouble paying their mortgages.  Fortunately, homeowners have several options during this time.  ...

As we look back at Independence Day, let's remember why we celebrate and defend our blessings of freedom, liberty and justice for all. In these uncertain times, America's promise is more important than ever. There's a saying among the faithful that God won't give us more than we can handle. Arguably, 2020 is putting this message to the test...

As we prepare to enjoy Fourth of July week and upcoming celebrations in our beautiful Iowa Great Lakes region, we wish to remind you that Independence Day is founded on sacrifices, which includes a history of Americans giving up personal comforts to enhance wellbeing for all...

The bill signed into law by Governor Kim Reynolds on June 4, brought to the forefront a problem for the majority of the residents of Dickinson County. The new law required all members of county-appointed commissions to reside in rural (unincorporated) areas of the county. This action meant four commissioners (three on Planning and Zoning and one on the Board of Adjustment) were dismissed by noon the following day...

Iowa is one of the most heavily licensed states in the country. Nearly one out of every three workers in Iowa is required to maintain a license to work in their profession, while the national average is one out of every four workers. Licensing in many areas of the economy has a proper role. ...

Recently, there has been a lot of misinformation about two bills that the Iowa House passed this year on election law. The two bills are somehow, either purposefully or mistakenly, a part of a misinformation campaign where people are informed that Republicans passed bills that are voter suppression or eliminates absentee voting. ...

The legislature adjourned for the year on Sunday, June 14.  This year’s session was definitely different than previous years. While we didn't get to all the legislation we wanted, we were still able to accomplish a lot in the time we did have. Before we paused the session in March, the Senate passed legislation to lower barriers to some professions, and bring unemployed people back into our workforce and encourage them to build careers for themselves. ...

On Sunday, June 14, we concluded the 2020 legislative session. This session was unlike any we have experienced before. The session was suspended, abbreviated and hyphenated. My friend and colleage, Representative Jon Throup really summarized this session well: ...

On Friday, June 19, the nation honored an event that occurred 155 years ago. It is an event that has never received the nationwide attention that it deserves. But it is a day that all freedom-loving people in the United States should celebrate. And it is a day that I successfully worked to gain recognition for in Iowa as far back as 2002...

On Thursday, June 10, the Iowa House and the Iowa Senate made history by introducing a bill in both chambers, moving it through subcommittee and committee, then to the floor of both chambers, and passing it unanimously and sending it to the governor for signature. This bill, named "Justice Reform" by us but misnamed "Police Misconduct Reform" by newspapers was historic for several reasons and was much needed...

Earlier this week we released a budget plan for Fiscal Year 2021. We have to be careful about budgeting, now more than ever, because we have yet to see an end to the impacts of COVID-19. While the COVID pandemic has impacted the budget, I am optimistic that Iowa is in better shape than many states. ...

The Senate continued to debate a number of bills this week as we worked toward adjournment for the year. One of the bills we passed would expand the Empower Rural Iowa program and help increase access to broadband in areas of Iowa where it is still lacking. ...

  Iowans are amazing. The level of civic engagement among our citizens is unrivaled. We proved that once again when voters turned out in record numbers to cast their ballots in the June primary election. Despite an ongoing pandemic and civil unrest across the state, Iowans were determined to make their voices heard the best way possible: by voting...

The legislative session re-started this week, continuing the work from a couple months ago and with a few new challenges ahead. This session looks much different than it did when we paused. Now, committee meetings are held in the Senate chamber instead of committee rooms to allow for social distancing, and speakers on subcommittee bills will give comments from the Senate gallery instead of usually coming to the meeting tables. ...

This week marked the legislature's first week back in Des Moines since the session suspension due to COVID-19 concerns on March 17. While even though we have not been physically in the Capitol building, I have still had the opportunity to hear from many of you with questions and concerns as we push through this difficult time...

    A: The USDA will accept applications through Aug. 28, 2020, from farmers for pandemic-related financial assistance. The direct payments will help keep hard-hit farming operations afloat due to catastrophic disruptions in the marketing and distribution systems of the nation's food supply chain...

I wish I could still be mad at Colin Kaepernick, the San Francisco 49er who took a knee during national anthems in 2016 and couldn't find a roster spot anywhere in 2017. I wanted the quarterback to find another form of peaceful protest to convey the messages of social injustice and police misconduct...

I have faith in humans and in Iowans in general because we tend to do the right thing, even in the face of adversity. This is called grit and in my mind and my 25 years of military service, grit can get you through so much in life. I chose to veer away from politics for my newsletter today, even though in less than a week the Legislature will be in full swing again, finishing up our business for the year...

Iowa continues to ease business restrictions over the next few weeks. Starting May 28, bars, wineries, breweries, and distilleries were able to reopen.  On June 1, casinos, bowling alleys, amusement parks, skating rinks, outdoor performance venues, and outdoor playgrounds were also able to reopen. ...

Since the community spread of COVID-19 officially hit Iowa in mid-March, we saw Iowans respond. Many Iowans started or expanded their reliance on internet connectivity for learning, working and socializing. This magnified, nearly overnight, the importance of a quality internet connection...

  While this pandemic has challenged all Iowans, as our state begins to take the first steps toward safely reopening, I'm continuing to push for support for our families in every stage of life — from new parents to our seniors. After local businesses needed to close down to adhere to social distancing and public health measures in order to keep folks safe, tragically so many Iowans, including parents, have been facing layoffs and pay cuts. At the same time, reports show increased diaper shortages right here in Iowa. ...

I'm familiar with a regional lawmaker who recently concluded an update to constituents with the following: "The media and many others continue to criticize the governor and the response taken by the state of Iowa," the update said. "The facts tell a story that Iowa is on the way to recovery."...

Folks, I'm disappointed. I'm disappointed that there are still people out there who are shocked and sometimes offended when asked to pay for their local news. Hopefully that sentiment is the exception rather than the rule in our community – in fact we've seen an increase in subscriptions, and we've actually received a handful of donations, so thank you — but somehow the problem persists. ...

Maintenance continues on several segments of the trail system in Okoboji, Spirit Lake and Orleans. In mid-May, new asphalt overlays were completed on the Nature Center Trail and the Spine Trail by Kiwanis Park. The asphalt crew will return at the beginning of June to continue paving the Spine Trail from 15th Street to Hill Avenue in Spirit Lake and along the east side of Big Spirit Lake in Orleans. ...

If you watch the news or look at social media each day, it can get pretty daunting. It can be a heavy weight. While some choose to focus on the negative impacts of COVID-19, many of the positive trends are largely being ignored. When looking at the unprecedented amount of data and information that the state is providing to Iowans, it is important to remember to not to look at one single day to measure the impact that COVID-19 has had. ...

Additional reopenings throughout the state began last week continue this week after a new proclamation from Gov. Reynolds. Starting May 22, movie theaters, zoos, aquariums, and museums were allowed to reopen, as long as they can accommodate reasonable public health measures. Pools will only be allowed to reopen for lap swimming and swimming lessons...

When it comes to treatments and lifesaving cures, the U.S. healthcare system is second to none. This is why, when a loved one receives a cancer diagnosis, or a parent is told her child has diabetes, we can bear such unsettling news with a sense of hope...

You don't see cigarette burns on the floors of newsrooms anymore. Supposedly, the people who work in them will live longer. But whether the papers they toil over will live is in much more doubt. "You can pay me now," said the man on the 1970 television commercial for Fram oil filters, "or you can pay him later," pointing to the mechanic rebuilding an engine...