There are things that shape who we are as a country, and our process of elections is one of them. As we enter the heavy part of the 2024 general election, a couple things are starting to become very …

I’m perplexed this week. Who the hell am I kidding, I’m perplexed every week. But it’s usually something nonsensical and relatively irrelevant. But I spent an hour of my day Friday …

During the 40 years I was a newspaper editor/manager, I strived to ensure the staff incorporated context into their articles. Sometimes, in a journalistic shorthand, that was described “the …

“Ragbrai” is a word, in Iowa anyway, therefore I'm not going to capitalize it.  Ginnie and I hosted two Ragbrai teams at the Empty Nest Farm, Team Checkers and Team Must Have.  …

Dear Editor Even if you, as a Republican voter, vote because you hope you’ll get a tax cut, or you’re hoping they’ll deregulate your business so you can freely pollute, or …

I’m not a home repair guy. My youngest brother said I remind him of Tim Allen, of Tim “The Toolman” Taylor  in my mannerisms, but I can’t fix things. Normally. But Friday …

Dear Editor: It was truly nice of Elliot Vandenberg to grace us with his presence last night at the Republican banquet. It waas especially nice because prior to running for public office I've never …

Dear Editor: I worked at the Lee County Sheriff’s Office this past year as a Deputy. I recently turned in my letter of resignation and am leaving the office on good terms. My letter of …

Some memories stick with you — like that August day around 1960 when my parents loaded my two brothers and me into our Dodge Coronet and headed to the Iowa State Fair for the first time. Our …

Roadrunner is 27 years old, has two dogs, and is a real live hobo.  He's on his way to Britt, Iowa for the National Hobo Convention on August 8th through the 10th.  He will be competing for …

Compromise. It’s the art form of statesmen. I think Truman said politicians are statesmen who’ve been dead for 10 or 15 years. But we’ve lost the art of compromise, and with it we …

FORT MADISON - The Fort Madison Public Library had a great summer reading program this year thanks to many people in our community.  Thank you to United Way of the Great River Region for …