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Opinion

Just Jonathan: An enjoyable week of work

Local Columns

I like my job, dare I say it. In working for the newspaper since 2023 I don’t really feel like I’ve been working all that much. Before I started with the paper I had a great interest in what was happening around us, and that hasn’t ever changed. This week’s collection of stories and ...

Socialism doesn’t work

Editorials

Two hundred and fifty years ago, America was founded on the revolutionary idea that individuals are endowed with inalienable rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Americans are called to uphold this sacred inheritance to ensure our founding principles are carried from one ...

Pastor’s Corner: Monkey physics!

Local Columns

I recall my college statistics professor telling the class that you can prove anything with statistics, meaning also that statistics can lie! For years, we have been told that people only use 10% of their brain. While this may be true about your boss, certain neighbors, and congress, think this ...

Just Jonathan: Community cheating

Local Columns

All right, fine I’ll admit it. I covered the Winding Stair Festival Parade. In my time as a reporter, I’ve taken my commitment to our two towns that start with the letter T, Tama and Toledo, very seriously. I’m not sure I have what it takes to add a third T in the mix. I’m sorry Traer, ...

A Fair View: Tama County Treasurer’s race

Local Columns

Voters of Tama County! On Tuesday, Aug. 4, the Tama County Republican delegates voted against the results of the June primary vote. For 250 years in America, it has been the person with the most votes who wins. Not in Tama County! It is obvious that the delegates only care about their own ...

Brass Tacks from Rural Iowa: Election Integrity or Intimidation?

Editorials

There’s been a lot of talk lately about election integrity, especially from the Trump administration. What’s disturbing is that the rhetoric doesn’t seem to be lining up with his administration’s actions. Take for example the U.S. Election Assistance Commission. Created in 2002 after ...

District 53 Newsletter: Aug. 4, 2026

Editorials

The 2026 session is long over, the legislature adjourned in early May, and Governor Reynolds had signed the bills into law by early June. In previous newsletters during session I talked about the property tax reform, and now I want to update everyone on what was finally passed and signed into ...

Magic Mike 6XL: The Birthday Grief

Local Columns

Well, Sunday was Ma’s birthday. I won’t tell ya how old she turned, but let's just say she's north of ten and south of a hundred. And like every day in the Davis household, the whole thing seemed fraught with ridiculousness. Everything started a few days before when my Father, the Old ...

Heather’s Highlights: County Government and You, July 2026

Local Columns

I hope everyone stayed cool with the hot weather we experienced in July. County roads were one of the main topics of discussion during Supervisor meetings in July. E29 still has an embargo on it due to the West Bridge Approach being damaged. We’ve approved a quote for these repairs, but ...

Pastor’s Corner: Rabbit to the rescue?

Local Columns

Sometimes, you just gotta wonder about some folks. Why would authorities find Civil War cannonballs in a passenger’s suitcase at an airport? Don’t tell me he was going deer hunting. Or why would you “paint” a museum floor with peanut butter? Why do people run in races with high heels? ...