OPINION
Baccam: Iowa’s Summer EBT Decision Hurts Local Economy

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

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

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?

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...

Kalbach: Our libraries are under attack at the Iowa Statehouse

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...

Sand: Let’s work together to hold government accountable

Sand: Let’s work together to hold government accountable

As Iowa’s taxpayer watchdog, I hear from Iowans just about every day with concerns about state and local government. Oftentimes, there are steps my office can take to address those concerns; other times, the next step is as simple as directing folks to the best...