Opinion

In a recent Dickinson County News Letter to the Editor titled "He Holds the World Record" the writer continues his suffering with "Trump Derangement Syndrome." It is hard to tell if his suffering is because the writer doesn't agree with Trump's political philosophy or he doesn’t know the facts...

In not quite two years, public statements checked by fact checkers found over 6,000 untruths, i.e. lies. Unfortunately, the person telling the lies and holding the record is the President of the United States. How are U.S. citizens to know where our president is leading us? How can international leaders know what the positions of the United States are when they cannot believe what the president says?...

In a recent Dickinson County News Letter to the Editor titled "Please Stay Away, Mr. President" the writer bemoans the fact President Trump went to Pittsburgh to pay his respects to the victims of the mass shooting. The first two paragraphs of the letter were dedicated to negative comments about President Trump making an appearance in Pittsburg. ...

Join us for our first Spirit Lake downtown window and tree lighting on Saturday, Nov. 24. The downtown businesses, city of Spirit Lake and Spirit Lake Chamber of Commerce have combined efforts to brighten up Spirit Lake this holiday season. The grand lighting event will occur at 5 p.m. The lights will continue to be lit for enjoyment through the holiday season...

Well, zis, boom, bah. Two of the uncertainties hanging over the heads of Iowa ag producers are on a bit more solid footing this week. Not only did the United State Mexico Canada Agreement get signed by President Trump as a replacement for the former North American Free Trade Agreement, but the Environmental Protective Agency announced this coming year's renewable fuel volumes obligations. ...

It is with mixed emotion I write informing you that I have accepted a promotion to the rank of sergeant.  This promotion will be located in our Spencer office, within ISP enforcement operations. As I look back over 14 years in the educational/public relations side of law enforcement, I am reminded of several great programs we developed: "Ask a Trooper," "The Patrol Post," "Windshield Time," as well as many live radio programs. ...

Q: Why do you offer internship opportunities in your Senate offices?   A: Throughout my public service, I have worked to engage younger generations to actively participate in civic life. For the last 38 years, I have held at least one meeting in each of Iowa's 99 counties to seek feedback from Iowans. ...

This week, State Auditor Mary Mosiman released a report confirming $126 million in FY 2018 Medicaid savings from the transition to managed care. The review was completed by three CPAs in the State Auditor's office, two additional auditors in the office, and confirmed by the Deputy Auditor of State, Andy Nielsen. ...

Earlier this week, I was named Chair of the Administrative Rules Review Committee. This is a permanent statutory committee that is a joint, Senate-House committee. I have served on this committee for four years, where we meet monthly (throughout the year, not just during the legislative session)...

Nathan Kollasch with Milford Boy Scout Troop #170 spent Saturday, Nov. 10, installing two new trail kiosks at Kenue Park and the Nature Trails trailhead. The project is part of the work he is doing to earn his Eagle Scout Rank. Several other scouts from the Milford troop also helped Nathan get the kiosks placed. ...

  A: Consider the fact that one in eight females born today in the United States will receive a breast cancer diagnosis in their lifetimes. That effectively means this disease will impact every single American, in every neighborhood and every household in this country. The National Cancer Institute estimates about 266,120 new cases of invasive female breast cancer will be diagnosed in 2018 and 40,920 women will die from breast cancer by the end of the year...

As the holidays approach and donation requests rise, you may come across more naughty than nice. Scammers will take advantage of your generosity all year long, but especially during the holidays. But first, remember: Just because there are fraudsters who prey on donors, doesn’t mean you should stop giving. There are great charities out there that help change lives. Please keep giving, but do your research first...

To help farmers still working to bring in this year's harvest, Gov. Kim Reynolds signed a proclamation extending the temporary weight-limit exemption for trucks operating on Iowa roads. The proclamation was effective until Nov. 27. The proclamation specifically increased the weight allowable for shipment of corn, soybeans, hay, straw and stover by 12.5 percent per axle (up to a maximum of 90,000 pounds) without the need for an oversize/overweight permit...

Though I realize it's a bit of old news at this point, I find it impossible to ignore the passing of comic book titan Stan Lee. Moreover, I find it poetic he passed the day after Veterans Day. Many aren't aware, but Stan the Man (birth name Stanley Lieber) served in the Army during World War II — one of only a few men categorized as playwrights (another being Theodor Geisel, a.k.a. ...

This week, the Iowa Department of Revenue issued new income tax withholding tables for 2019 that will conform to tax cuts passed by the Iowa House last session. This means-paychecks will be bigger starting in January. This is because employers will reduce the amount of Iowa tax withheld from their employees' paychecks, resulting in increased take-home wages for Iowa workers...

This Veterans Day, Nov. 11, 2018, marked the 100 year anniversary of Armistice Day, which ended World War I. Just over 73 years ago, World War II officially came to an end, and for some, that too was over a lifetime ago. Only 496,777 of the 16 million Americans who served in World War II were still with us at the start of 2018, according to U.S. ...

  The relationship between the United States and China has been called the most important bilateral relationship of the 21st century. I couldn't agree more. It's also the most complicated. Trade, economic development and technological innovation are just a few of the issues currently putting pressure on relations between our two nations. As the United States attempts to navigate the challenging dynamics at play, it's critical to approach these issues from a position of strength...

This past week, the Kiwanis Club of Spirit Lake had an ad in the papers requesting nominations for their Citizen of the Years Award. The local club was chartered Dec. 10, 1947, and introduced the Citizen of The Years Award in 1949. Berkley Bedell and I are the only living persons present both at the charter night and the first award night. So, I write with that history in mind...

Thanksgiving is the beginning of the holiday season, as well as the year's busiest travel weekend. Whether you're driving across the street or across the country to reach your Thanksgiving feast, it's imperative to wear your seat belt as you travel. Increased traffic brings an increased possibility of a traffic crash...

My fellow Americans, I have a confession to make. Quite by accident, I realized I may have actually offended a large group of people Monday morning … while the national anthem played … at a Veterans Day assembly. It was just one of those situations when we find ourselves making a potentially bigger mess while trying to be considerate — like holding the door open for someone, only to realize you hit someone on the other side squarely on the nose...

The midterm elections on Tuesday, Nov. 6, brought some changes to state government. In the legislature, the House and Senate will remain in Republican control with a 54 seat majority in the House and 32 seats in the Senate (This number has the possibility of changing with canvassing and recounts in the days to come)...

  A:  First, I join with all of my fellow Americans to pay tribute to all of the men and women who have served our country honorably in uniform during times of war and peace. This year, we mark a special centennial salute on Nov. 11. On this day one hundred years ago, Armistice Day commemorated the cease fire agreement in World War I on the 11th hour, of the 11 day, of the 11th month. ...

Consumers have tools to keep the annoying robocalls and other annoying, unwanted phone solicitations at bay. There were 4 billion robocalls placed in July, up from 2.6 billion in July 2017, according to YouMail, which tracks the most common auto-dialed calls every month. The company's website lists high-risk numbers from 515 and other area codes, including scams involving interest rates, travel, insurance and vehicle warranties...

Election Day will not satisfy us. We often think it will, but it won't. Each side hopes their chosen "wave" (both of which sound like Kool-aid flavors to me) will win the day and right everything wrong with society. If only it were that easy. Fact of the matter is, problems will persist no matter which primary color dominates the government - local or national. ...