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…
Randy Evans
This lawsuit needs some sunshine – Randy Evans
The legendary U.S. Supreme Court justice Louis Brandeis once observed, “Sunlight is said to be…
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…
Abby’s rhetoric was embarrassingly misguided – Randy Evans
A common refrain from Democrats during Donald Trump’s years in the presidency was that he…
Iowa is losing its way on public schools
This is one of those times when people who have little appetite for politics need…
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…
Lessons from a pots-and-pans salesman
Many years ago, I sat at the kitchen table of a pots-n-pans salesman from Pleasant…
Des Moines school board teaches taxpayers an expensive lesson
Des Moines Superintendent Thomas Ahart has been a lightning rod during the past three years…
Here’s another place we need more transparency
There has been a lot of talk lately about why Iowa’s K-12 school districts need…
Lawmakers’ mixed message is puzzling Iowans
I’m confused, and I have a hunch I am not the only one. Are government…
Iowa school debate needs a civics lesson
A seat at the table. Iowa Senate Majority Leader Jack Whitver provided that succinct explanation last…
GOP proposals may backfire on state’s population
I stumbled across a statistical tidbit the other day that probably will surprise many people….
Senate change won’t better inform Iowans
Typically, in the days leading up to the start of a new session of the…
Americans are slow to grasp this extreme danger
Something came out of Colorado last week besides images of the destruction from a rapidly…
Iowa justice v. Minnesota justice
Minnesota and its government officials delivered an important lesson recently on how to provide justice…
Those ‘good neighbor deeds’ can recharge us
When I walked out the door at the Des Moines Register for the final time…
Linn-Mar district wants $604,000 for public records request
The past couple of years have been challenging for Iowa’s 327 public school districts. Parents…
Political system has withered since Bob Dole’s days
The death Sunday of Robert Dole was a potent reminder of what we have lost…
Another school problem is not being discussed – Randy Evans
When you have orbited the sun as many times as I have, people sometimes want…
Libraries should be for all, not just for some
There’s a big birthday coming up in Iowa in about a month. This place we…
Much to marvel at in the human spirit
You have to marvel at the capacity of the human spirit — especially the ability…
Supreme Court ruling hides charges against physicians – Randy Evans
The Iowa Legislature’s “To Do” list should be a little longer after last week. And…
These men have eloquent guidance – Randy Evans
Richard Deming, the son of a grain elevator worker and grocery store clerk from small-town…
Neither party is immune from ineptitude
Do the folks in politics think we are asleep? Do they really believe no one…
The American spirit isn’t what it used to be
When the anniversary of some tragedy rolls around, we are reminded of what was lost…
Vigilante justice isn’t the American way
Let’s set aside our views on abortion. Instead, let’s consider one aspect of the new…
There’s no escaping the chaos of war
The news out of Afghanistan last week about the terrorist bombing at the airport in…
More secrecy unwise in schools’ hiring decisions
Iowa’s three state universities made a U-turn this summer, and they now are headed down…
Iowa’s Amish have some lessons for us
The man who answered the door at a farm house west of Bloomfield one afternoon…
What was Cuomo thinking? (And Ernst, too)
Here is one of the persistent questions rattling around in my head: Why are some…
Norm and Dolly: Two peas in a pod
It is hard to imagine Norman Borlaug ever joining in singing “Jolene” or “9 to…
Iowa’s universities need to learn important lesson
In recent years, Republicans and Democrats in the Iowa Legislature often agree on little.But they…
Government cuts corners on public participation – Randy Evans
Several times a week, someone contacts me because they had difficulty learning about a government…
It’s difficult to stop the march of progress – Randy Evans
Controversy, of sorts, arrived in my driveway last week. There was no commotion. There were…
This wasn’t one of the court’s finest moments – Randy Evans
Through the long arc of history, the Iowa Supreme Court has developed a reputation for…
Governor is correct – more transparency needed
Gov. Kim Reynolds talked last week about the importance of government leaders keeping other government…
U.S. should not treat our friends this way
Too often these days, Americans and our government seem to be incapable of agreeing on…
Americans deserve answers, not more politics
Plenty of stray thoughts have been swirling through my noggin lately. Thoughts like:What would Americans…
Lawmakers dropped the ball in not fixing recount law
The chambers of the Iowa Senate and the Iowa House of Representatives are silent after…
The population problem Iowa should discuss
Through the years, the Iowa Legislature is the place where Iowans gather to debate the…
Government needs room for common sense
People like to talk about what the law says. And in Iowa, the law has…
Charter schools must have sunshine, too
The 2021 session of the Iowa Legislature will end in a few weeks, and one…
Where oh where are today’s Bob Rays
It’s hard for those of us of a certain vintage to realize it has been…
Blunt Boehner blisters Republicans in Congress
It’s time for a confession. I have misjudged John Boehner. Oh, I knew he might…
Godfrey case brings light to governor’s powers
The Iowa Supreme Court chamber is a magnificent venue for the seven justices who referee…
How you can still lose while winning in court
Many years ago, during a conversation with an old lawyer, he made a comment I…
Visibility needed in state law enforcement discipline cases
The actions of journalists and police officers were in the spotlight last week in a…
There’s more at stake than new road signs
Tucked away among hundreds of bills being considered this year by the Iowa Legislature is…
These changes won’t improve election security
Iowa’s 2020 election was one for the record books — with 1.7 million people marking…
It’s not surprising if Iowans have whiplash
Gov. Kim Reynolds’ message for Iowans has been consistent since the coronavirus pandemic arrived a…