Former Iowa teacher and superintendent Patrick O’Donnell writes about the right-wing influence in creating and expanding voucher programs in Iowa and other red states.
Muller: Student journalism’s moment to shine
Harvard University President Claudine Gay was feeling the heat nationally after failing to say straight out in congressional testimony that calling for Jewish genocide would violate Harvard’s bullying and harassment rules. It depended on context, Gay responded to a...
Opinion: Donald Trump’s corruption hurts all of us
Whether it’s a small cabinet-building business, a retired schoolteacher, or the American taxpayer, Donald Trump’s long history of corruption has caused no shortage of damage, writes Chris Edelson.
Baccam: Iowa’s Summer EBT Decision Hurts Local Economy
As a rural Iowa native, a combat veteran, former advisor at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and a candidate for Congress, I understand the challenges families are facing today. Gas and groceries are too high, wages are too low, and party politics seems to...
Moore: Iowa’s raccoon bounty program is a cruel proposal
The Iowa Legislature’s proposed raccoon bounty, which would subsidize raccoon trapping, is not a novel idea. But no matter how you spin it, Rep. Dean Fisher’s House File 2481 is little more than a cruel and expensive government takeover of a dying industry. The bill...
Kalbach: Our libraries are under attack at the Iowa Statehouse
I love my local public library. Lots of people use our libraries regularly, whether to check out books and movies, use the internet, or make copies of important documents. Iowa’s small-town public libraries are anchor institutions. They make our lives so much richer....
Scolaro: Do we really want vigilante justice in our schools?
On Jan. 4, a 17-year-old Perry High School student killed one sixth-grader and injured five others before killing himself. In response to school shootings, Siouxland Christian School in Sioux City has decided to train and arm school staff members. However, to the...
Helmick: Libraries belong to the people. Let’s keep it that way
In an era marked by digital transformation and societal polarization, the role of library boards in advocating for essential services is more crucial than ever. Library trustees serve as pillars of leadership within their communities, ensuring that libraries not only...
Kalbach: Why we’re fighting to protect our AEAs
Gov. Kim Reynolds is once again attacking Iowa’s public school system. This time she wants to slash vital services offered by our Area Education Agencies (AEAs). AEAs provide special education support, media services, training, crisis intervention, professional...
Kalbach: Gov. Reynolds ramps up her attacks on public schools
We’re just past two weeks into the 2024 legislative session, and Gov. Kim Reynolds is already ramping up her crusade to defund our public schools through an unproven voucher plan. This year, Reynolds wants to transfer another $179.2 million of our tax dollars to...