Columns

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...

Let’s not lose focus now. Over the last few months, we were told by officials that we needed to flatten the curve so as to not overwhelm the hospitals and to ensure there would be enough PPE, ventilators and other resources available because when the hospitals are overwhelmed, that is when massive death could happen. ...

The governor signed a new proclamation to allow salons, barbershops and massage and tattoo establishments to partially reopen throughout the whole state starting on Friday, May 15. Restaurants, fitness centers, libraries, campgrounds and race tracks can also open in those counties that had previously been closed. ...

There are a lot of updates this week, so let's just get right to it:  At the Monday May 11 press conference, Gov. Kim Reynolds announced that she would be following a "modified quarantine" after a member of Vice President Pence's staff tested for COVID-19. The Governor traveled to Washington DC to meet with President Trump and participated in some events with Vice President Pence in Iowa...

At the invitation of House Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin Peterson, I went to Worthington, Minnesota, to participate in a press conference to focus attention on the current crisis in the pork industry that has been caused by the temporary closure of processing plants in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. ...

It's a distinction we try to make as often as possible in the current COVID-climate, and it's also an important one — confirmed cases vs. recovered cases. Here in Dickinson County, all six of the confirmed cases of COVID-19 have been listed as recovered by the state as of May 6. That means, as the bustling summer season in the Iowa Great Lakes draws ever nearer, we're back to zero official cases here...

It was announced that Iowa will receive over $71 million in federal aid to help PK-12 schools mitigate the effects of COVID-19. The amount is Iowa's share of the more than $13.2 billion emergency relief provided in the elementary and secondary school emergency relief fund within the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, or CARES Act...

Almost two months ago, the governor issued the first emergency proclamation limiting social gatherings and closing facilities such as restaurants, gyms, and casinos. Schools were closed for the remainder of the school year, and workplaces were encouraged to have their employees work from home when possible. ...

  Gov. Kim Reynolds announced that additional funding was allocated for the Iowa Small Business Relief Grant program through the CARES Act. Additional grant notifications went out recently and will continue daily until all funds are exhausted. Iowa Economic Development Authority is working through the current applicant pool and businesses with the greatest loss in revenue will be given priority. ...

This past week, Gov. Kim Reynolds announced her plans to begin the process of reopening Iowa’s economy in a responsible and phased-in approach. Beginning on May 1, previously closed businesses including restaurants, fitness centers, enclosed malls, libraries, and other retail establishments will be allowed to reopen. ...

This week the governor announced some restrictions would be lifted for 77 counties in Iowa experiencing little to no COVID-19 activity. Starting May 1, restaurants, fitness centers, malls, libraries, race tracks, and some retail establishments were allowed to reopen at half normal operating capacity, if they can still follow public health measures...

Ever since the COVID-19 outbreak first made its way to Iowa, our families, small businesses and communities have been impacted in ways they have never been. In this era of social distancing and uncertainty, many have lost their jobs, and businesses have had to shut their doors (some have done so for good)...

This week the governor announced a new website to give Iowans better access to testing, and give public health officials a better idea of how Iowa is progressing through the pandemic. It helps the governor make decisions on the activities safe to reopen and areas or activities needing to remain closed for a little longer. ...

As we continue on through this uncertain time with COVID-19, I receive a lot of questions. I am always happy to help sort through those issues on a case-by-case basis, but thought it might be helpful to include an update with the most frequently asked questions. ...

Iowans all across this state are going through a similar range of emotions together. COVID-19 haunts our communities like a dangerous ghost. The uncertainty of how we get through can feel daunting at time. But personally, every time I think how badly I want to sit down with friends for a game, or meet someone for a meal, or go to a small town festival or high school performance, I remind myself my personal desires are small. ...

There's an awful lot of focus on reopening the economy these days. I suppose it only makes sense we landed on the term "reopen" during a time we're asked to stay inside as much as possible but, like the proverbial dog chasing a car, we need to ask ourselves what we will do when the moment arrives...

As we all work to adjust during this difficult time, Iowans all across the state have been stepping up to help their neighbors and communities. Stories of people making homemade face masks for their friends, families, neighbors, or donating them to local hospitals are told daily. We have also seen local restaurants contribute food to health care providers, and Iowans purposefully supporting these local restaurants with takeout orders in an effort to keep those places in business...

"He who gives up his liberty for safety gets none of them." — Thomas Jefferson Wow, let's reflect on that for a bit because it is very relevant today. To keep our citizens safe as we fight this COVID-19 crisis, it has been at the expense of many of our liberties and freedoms. While I do have concerns, I supportive of the efforts our governor and president have taken to protect our state and country and believe they acted in the best interests of the citizens they are sworn to protect...

As we continue on through this uncertain time with COVID-19, I receive a lot of questions. I am always happy to help sort through those issues on a case-by-case basis, but thought it might be helpful to include an update with the most frequently asked questions...

  Each of us must be responsible for our own health and accountable for the impacts we have on each other. We can’t rely on government to make each decision for us. Personal responsibility has been fading from our national psyche for more than a generation, but perhaps this COVID-19 menace will show us the way back to our American roots...

As we continue on through this uncertain time with COVID-19, I receive a lot of questions. I am always happy to help sort through those issues on a case-by-case basis, but thought it might be helpful to include an update with the most frequently asked questions...

I have heard so many negative comments in the last few weeks it makes my head spin. The comments range from how bad the president is, the governor is, and even the state and local elected officials are. Almost no one is exempt from the criticism. While I have broad shoulders and can most assuredly handle my fair share of negative, I must say that it all might be displaced. I have also heard good comments, to be fair but I would like to address the negative and hopefully turn them to a positive...

One of the questions I get asked a lot is whether a stay-at-home or a shelter-in-place order should be implemented. Many point out that Iowa is one of a few states that hasn’t issued a similar order to combat the spread of COVID-19. The reality is, Iowa is already doing a number of those things, and in some instances implementing more closures than states with a shelter-in-place order...

The governor's recent extension of Iowa's COVID-19 recommendations is the latest note in a minor chord our society has strained to hold for several weeks. Businesses and schools will remain closed at least until the end of the month, and we're being asked to continue limiting any social gathering to no more people than can be counted on two hands. This would all be easier if we had a definite date when we knew things would snap back to normal, but that's not often how life works...

The Dickinson County Trails Board has substantial plans to expand trail development this coming season. Through a number of foundation, state and federal grants along with donations to the DCTB development fund, the board is working on goals to add nearly 8 miles of new trail this year...

I am by no means an expert in COVID 19. In fact, I am not much of an expert in much (some will say we knew that already) but I do know that in a time of challenge the only way to get through the challenge is to power through and defeat it. I would like to talk more about how we get through this as a people and culture...

In what would have been our 12 week of the legislative session, we have all been in our home districts talking with you on the phone and reading your emails and messages. Much of our time is also spent working with Gov. Kim Reynolds and leaders across the state to slow the spread of COVID-19 and limit the damage to businesses and families in Iowa...

  Over the last few weeks, Iowans from every corner and county of our state – our families, health care workers, local store owners, farmers, seniors, and so many more – have faced unforeseen challenges and hardships as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic...

We have all become acutely aware in the past few weeks why masks and face shields, respirators and ventilators are so important for hospital workers and their patients. The supply is not keeping up with the need, and that could have dire consequences for the doctors, nurses and patients...

It's almost impossible to estimate the number of recent press releases and public statements that have began with phrases like "In these unprecedented times," "in these uncertain times" and "in these unprecedented and uncertain times." We can all feel the gravity of the coronavirus crisis weighing on our hearts with all its girth, but it's become clear that weight is bearing down on our community quite a bit more now that officials have confirmed a case of COVID-19 in Dickinson County...

As the situation in Iowa rapidly changes in response to the spread of COVID-19, I am getting a lot of questions about what resources exist to help Iowans who have been affected. The Iowa Economic Development Authority has put together a number of resources for both businesses and employees affected by COVID-19. ...

The footfalls of those who came before have not seemed so far ahead as of late. Once fall finally arrives in full, it will have been 150 years since this county was first home to a newspaper. Ulysses S. Grant was in the White House when the Spirit Lake Beacon first went to print. The paper changed editors, publishers, owners and offices over the years, but it eventually merged with its competitors to form the paper you're reading today...

Even though the COVID-19 virus hasn't yet made its way to this county, the fear it instills certainly has. Some of that's been beyond our control. Recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control are prompting schools, libraries, nursing homes and any number of public entities to close doors, cancel events or otherwise keep the general public at bay. ...

In the ninth week of the legislative session, we continued our work debating bills and sending them to the House of Representatives before the second funnel next week. I floor managed two important bills and I will highlight each bill below.      In the dark of night on Sept. ...

This week, the House and Senate finalized K-12 funding for the upcoming school year. Iowa's schools will receive almost $100 million in new money for the 2020-21 school year, with additional resources targeted toward critical needs like rural school transportation costs and per-pupil equity...

On Tuesday, the House and Senate announced an agreement on a K-12 education funding package for the next school year. Investing almost $100 million in new funding for schools, this money will include $7.65 million for transportation equity and $5.8 million for per pupil equity. I voted for the bill that passed out of the Senate on Wednesday and is now headed to the governor for her signature...

We have all seen the heartbreaking new stories where a young person has suffered or even taken their own life due to depression, bullying, or other mental illness. Many of us have been directly impacted by something of this nature. Mental illness is an issue that plagues not only Iowa families, but our communities as well...

After the flurry of committee work last week, this week's main focus was floor debate. Now in the seventh week, the halfway point of the legislative session is rapidly approaching. While many bills passed the whole Senate this week, a significant amount of work remains for the rest of this session...

The first week after the funnel brings a lot of floor debate. Typically these bills are "non-cons" or the bills that are not controversial — but others bring about a fair amount of debate. HF 2238 was a bill that received bi-partisan support. This bill seeks to encourage youth entrepreneurship. We are always looking for ways to unleash our small businesses and reduce the amount of burdensome and costly regulations that stifle growth...

We appreciate hearing from readers and, as a human being in a judgement-call industry, I don't expect inbox feedback to come with rose petals and candlelight. Sure enough, on Monday a reader asked us to put less emphasis on arrest or court reporting and focus more on entrepreneurs and neighbors helping neighbors. It's harder to snoop around the community and "find people doing something right," he told me...

Our country did something terrible. We stayed silent as hundreds of thousands of Americans were taken from their homes by the government and placed in detention centers for years on end simply by virtue of their heredity. Last week — some 78 years after the fact — the state of California is preparing to apologize for its role in the historic blemish...

In January, DCTB was awarded a Federal Recreational Trails grant for the next phase of Tatonka Ska Trace. The grant for $221,750 will help provide funding for a 1.15-mile segment of the trail starting at Highway 86 and heading west to the town of Montgomery. ...

The House Republicans and the Governor both released their priorities to start the 2020 Legislative Session. I would like to touch on the House priorities first, and then the governor's. You will find that both sets of priorities are complementary but take a different approach in reaching the end goal...


Last week, I described part of my experience covering the local caucuses. I ended that column with a challenge, saying we should discuss our differing politics with our friends and neighbors and promote healthy discussion. Well, that's exactly what's happened — more directly than I expected...