The fatal school shootings in Perry in early January took place eight months ago. The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation has concluded its investigation of the tragic incident and turned it over …

The United States is often described as exceptional — an “exceptional nation.” It’s a favorite expression for officeholders and those who strive to become so. Is the …

Republicans, who control the Iowa House, the Iowa Senate, and the Iowa governorship, make no secret of their intent to entirely eliminate the state’s income tax. It probably won’t happen …

Did the U.S. Supreme Court’s recent decision in Trump v. United States hold that American presidents are immune from criminal prosecution for all actions they take while in office? No. …

During the “Progressive Period” in American history — two decades or so, from roughly 1896 until 1917 — a number of states adopted the “initiative” and …

Question: When is a bribe not a bribe, but a thank-you gift? Answer: When it’s paid after the fact, not before. So says the U.S. Supreme Court. Here’s the setup: In 2012 …

American government officials and political players regularly declare something to be “unacceptable.”   Russia’s attack on Ukraine is unacceptable. Hamas’ attack on …

You’ve got to know when to hold ‘em, Know when to fold ‘em, Know when to walk away, And know when to run. — Kenny Rogers, “The Gambler” …

Political platforms occupy a unique place in American politics. While they possess no real power over their parties’ candidates, they do offer evidence of how their parties’ supporters …

Fifteen inches of rain in Northwest Iowa. Unbelievable. We don’t have drenchers like that in this state. But we did. Most of us remember well the eight, nine, or ten inches (depending on …

For the past 3½ years, Donald Trump has claimed the 2020 presidential election was stolen from him. At last count, at least 70% of the nation’s Republicans say the same thing. The …

Eighty years ago, in June 1944, a massive invasion force landed on Axis enemy soil, opening a beachhead that led the following year to ultimate victory for the World War Two Allied forces. Last …

The facts are as follows: On May 31, a New York trial jury of five women and seven men unanimously convicted former President Donald Trump of falsifying business records regarding a hush money …

This past weekend Kathy and I did child care duty in Adel while the grandchildren’s parents, Dave and Erin, were in Colorado celebrating their 20th wedding anniversary. On second thought, …

On June 27, about four weeks from now, we’ll get to watch the first presidential debate for the 2024 election. Or not. The announced changes to the debate process this year are so great that the …

Where does your primary loyalty lie: as a citizen of America, or as a citizen of Iowa? Probably seems like a meaningless question. But around the nation, more and more states these days are enacting …

Several years ago Kathy and I walked into a restaurant for breakfast in North Carolina. On the wall was a floor-to-ceiling plaque bearing a message about the origins of the Civil War. The …

The story of our National Weather Service is one of catching up and staying ahead. For more than 200 years, meteorologists, both amateurs and professionals, have steadily employed new scientific …

Congress may finally be getting it together. Overruling a few outspoken ultraconservative Republican members, the U.S. House by wide margins last Saturday belatedly approved crucial aid for …

Tax bills in the Iowa Legislature have always been approved or disapproved by simple majorities. If most legislators want to raise taxes, or lower them, they do it the usual way: take a vote, up or …