The House of Representatives took all of October off. In fact, the GOP-led chamber has only worked 14 days since July 25. As Congress sat idle, hardworking Americans faced rising health care costs, …

As the White House fought not to pay Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits to 42 million Americans, it already had ordered the U.S. Department of Agriculture to reopen nearly 2,100 Farm …

Over the last few years, Iowa has taken major steps to strengthen its laws against human trafficking — the crime of exploiting people through force, fraud, or coercion for sex or labor. We have …

Iowa has reeked for several weeks as an armada of honey wagons sprayed their brown bounty on black dirt, followed by the white anhydrous ammonia tanks. They’re everywhere as I traveled …

Don’t expect too much from President Trump’s announcement last week that the Justice Department is launching probes into price-fixing among big beef processors, namely Tyson, JBS, …

My bride Mary and I celebrated our 40th anniversary on Oct. 19. That isn’t remarkable; lots of people celebrate 40 years of marriage. But our wedding happened to occur at the same time as the …

You may not have known Jay Lohman, but you would have liked him. Although he was short of stature, he was big of heart. He wasn’t famous, and he wasn’t rich, unless you count all the …

Events last week in Chicago and Washington and at Sacred Heart Cathedral in Davenport provide stark reminders that our nation’s leaders have seemingly forgotten a biblical command around for …

By the time you read this column, it may be irrelevant. I hope so. But I doubt it. nnAssuming the federal government is still partially shut down by the column’s publication on Friday, Nov. 14, …

The radio spot on KAYL that opposed the Sac County Jail Bond said it was paid for and sponsored by the Concerned Citizens of Sac County. That is NOT the group that meets at the Sac Library twice a …

When my family and I moved to Storm Lake in August 1972, I almost immediately understood that the Storm Lake community was special. And while I am sure that each of the surrounding communities of …

My mother was born into dirt, poverty, and hunger on a tenant farm in east central Nebraska in April 1932. She was the third child — fourth, including her brother Gordon, who died before she …

In Marshalltown, the spirit of American entrepreneurship is alive and well. nnResidents have opened businesses, among them a grocery store offering fresh food that’s created dozens of jobs. …

Why can’t we all just get along? This country is subjected to enough political violence every year to make any sane nation reach a breaking point. We can’t stand idly by as killings and …

We keep hearing calls to “encourage thoughtful discourse” and “discourage violent rhetoric.” That’s true, and I have. One political party keeps crossing the line, …

Friday, Nov. 7 probably was the best day I’ve had in two years of bad news. I rode shotgun as Dolores drove me home from the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, seemingly free of prostate cancer …

I’ve been reminiscing about a time in my career that I was extremely involved in the lives and well-being of many of our U.S. Army soldiers and their families. In 2002, my final assignment …

If Storm Lake truly intends to develop a recreation area around the dredge spoil site east of the municipal golf course, city officials must approach the Lake Improvement Commission at the earliest …

Storm Lake residents are faced with the prospect of spending $100 million for a new water plant. Our present operation on Abner Bell Road is at capacity, treating five million gallons a day, more …

I’ve been thinking a LOT about Usha Vance. Her husband is the vice-president and he has said a hurtful thing and behaved shamefully in public. I wrote a letter I will never send. Dear Mrs. …