Yellowstone 2022 – Empty Nest by Curt Swarm
The temperature driving across Nebulous Nebraska reached 104 degrees. Someone else said it hit 109. …
Opinion
MLB’s imminent pitch clock will work
I fell down the rabbit hole of watching old baseball games on ESPN Classic during…
National award brings focus to district’s trade program
It really is one of the greatest stories to roll through Fort Madison in decades….
It’s wrong to tell parents what their kids can read – Randy Evans
Here we are, well into year three of the effects and after-effects of Covid. An oft-heard…
A “Stark” revelation at the PRIDE festival
The first-pride festival was held in Fort Madison on Thursday night. For the past few…
We’re all in this together – Randy Evans
What is happening to us? What passes for public discussion these days certainly is not…
Flower Power is Back – Empty Nest by Curt Swarm
Brad Heald is at it again. He has an old 1948 Chevy Dump Truck sitting…
People-watching is a favorite pasttime – Beside the Point
I love a blank computer screen… and I hate it at the same time. On…
Our nation needs to focus on the greater good – Randy Evans
Middle ground seems to have disappeared in the United States, and that’s unfortunate. These days,…
Two great pleasures – Empty Nest by Curt Swarm
He’s had two great pleasures in his life. Most people only have one, but Paul…
Iowans need to check measuring stick at polls – Letter to the Editor
Dear Editor On Memorial Day I had the honor of attending the ceremony at the…
Age is a state of mind…whatever – Beside the Point
I’m not a fan of getting older. I know the old saying that it’s better…
Three Ukrainian students headed to Maharishi – Empty Nest by Curt Swarm
Mariia, Olena and Sviatoslav (or Sviat, pronounced “Fiat”) were in a quandary. All three are…
We can’t win – the NRA is just too big
Guns. Boy, I don’t know. I’m torn on the social discussion, as guns are almost…
A question for the archbishop: W.W.J.D. – by Randy Evans
Officially, bishops and archbishops in the Roman Catholic Church have one boss, the pope. Of…
Central Lee in good financial shape – Letter to Editor
Dear Editor, At its April meeting, the Central Lee Board of Education approved the district’s…
It Comes in Threes – Empty Nest by Curt Swarm
It started when the internet went down. We live in the country so we have…
State literally brought out the best -Beside the Point
There’s something about being back at home after a weekend away. I don’t know if…
Pickleball is on the rise – Letter to the Editor
Dear Editor: When I hear “Pickleball”, I immediately flash back to my high school P.E….
We’re tired of waiting on leaders to lead – Randy Evans
Aaron Salter Jr., 55, was on duty at the security job that supplemented his retirement…
Rosses love their Love Bugs – Empty Nest by Curt Swarm
Linda and Kevin Ross live on the Skunk River near Augusta on the Lee County…
Chewing on the idea of a crunchy Fort Madison
I just don’t get it. If someone would have asked me a month ago if…
Recent new has been hip-deep in irony
Irony has been so deep in recent days that we shouldn’t be surprised if people…
Selma man gets new heart, kidney – Empty Nest by Curt Swarm
Thad Crane and his wife Laura live in the old Selma school house. In fact,…
Bachin’ it for a week – Beside the Point
It’s been an interesting past several days. The wife went to Nawlins with the daughter…
This lawsuit needs some sunshine – Randy Evans
The legendary U.S. Supreme Court justice Louis Brandeis once observed, “Sunlight is said to be…
Farewell to Nohema Graber and More- Empty Nest by Curt Swarm
Ginnie and I participated in the First Annual Walk for Nohema in Chautauqua Park in…
Life is the prize – Beside the Point
Life is the prize. Sometimes we ask ourselves, unfortunate as it may seem, why we…
Attempt to save a baby fox – Empty Nest by Curt Swarm
Lorrilee McCall-Miller heard something outside their door as she was getting ready for bed. It…
Coaches prayer time now in front of Supreme Ct.
I’m confused. Some of our political leaders seemed to be talking out of both sides of…
SIREPA is no “Mickey Mouse” organization – Beside the Point
I wanted to write this week about Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’ spitting match with Disney…
Abby’s rhetoric was embarrassingly misguided – Randy Evans
A common refrain from Democrats during Donald Trump’s years in the presidency was that he…
AHFA is there for the kids – Empty Nest by Curt Swarm
Gracie’s mother prostituted her when she was 11. At 13 she stabbed a kid in…
Moments and memories of NYC 2022 – Beside the Point
The buds are out again on the sugar maple out my front window. It’s a…
Iowa is losing its way on public schools
This is one of those times when people who have little appetite for politics need…
Easter egg hunts should be held on Easter – Empty Nest by Curt Swarm
Easter-egg hunts at our house when I was a kid were conducted on Easter Sunday…
It’s time for legislation to protect sports officials
The assault was streamed live.It was a play at home plate in a youth baseball…
Legislature reframing concept of vouchers – Letter to the Editor
Dear Editor – Education is a hot topic in Iowa. The idea of taking up…
California’s Prop 12 hurts Iowa farmers
Recently, Iowa’s farmers and ranchers were slapped in the face by voters in California. In…
Urge passing of Erin’s Law – Empty Nest by Curt Swarm
Erin Merryn is an Illinois woman who was sexually abused as a child by two…
Private school bill has to come with accountability
The House of Representatives has a big chore coming up. Those legislators are facing some…
There’s more to being a leader than talking
Through history, some political leaders have been outstanding orators. Boy, could they talk. They knew how…
Vietnam Veteran’s Day – Empty Nest by Curt Swarm
In restaurants or public places he sits in a corner with his back to the…
41 years is a long time… and not
They say it’s not good juju to talk about your competition, but I don’t give…
Can canna-buzz stop tinnitus? Empty Nest by Curt Swarm
I’ve suffered from tinnitus (ringing, buzzing in the ears) for over 20 years. I had…
Work to do to correct illegal breeding in Lee County – Beside the Point
Close to 300 animals were taken from a home in rural Lee County over the…
Lessons from a pots-and-pans salesman
Many years ago, I sat at the kitchen table of a pots-n-pans salesman from Pleasant…
Councilman says city is sidestepping public vote on new building – Letter to the Editor
To the Editor; On Tuesday of this week the Fort Madison City Council will be…
Father, son debate the “undebatable” – Empty Nest by Curt Swarm
“I disagree with what you say, but I will defend to the death your right…
My spring starts with college hoops championships
Bohannon didn’t call glass on that 23-footer, but that didn’t keep me from backwards somersaulting…