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Opinion

Just Jonathan: A senior?

Local Columns

This week, I took a day to help participate in an interview at Wartburg College. Right now, we're hiring another music education professor, and the opportunity was thrown out to me to have a seat at the table. Being both a curious person and the student body president, I felt it was important ...

Reflections on America250

Editorials

A letter written 250 years ago by John Adams to his wife Abigail reminds 21st century Americans about the bold sacrifice and binding covenant our nation’s founders made on behalf of generations to come. “...I am well aware of the toil and blood and treasure that it will cost us to ...

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

Local Columns

I hope everyone had a great 4th of July and celebrated America’s 250th Birthday! I want to thank everyone who voted for me in the June Primary Election. I was unopposed and will now be on the November 2026 General Election ballot. I appreciate everyone’s continued support and your trust ...

Just Jonathan: Heated learning

Local Columns

If you've gone outside in the last week, you've probably realized it's been insufferable. The combination of heat and humidity is sure a killer. There's something absolutely charming about opening the door, having your glasses fog up right away, and finding that the simple act of breathing is ...

Republican control

Letters to the Editor

In Iowa and the U.S.A., Republicans control the executive branch, senate, House, and Supreme court. Republicans blame democrats who control nothing when things go wrong. This tells me republicans are incompetent when they blame democrats who control nothing for republican screw ups. Dennis ...

Magic Mike 6XL: The Rorschach Gift

Local Columns

A gift can reveal an amazing amount about a person. From giving and receiving gifts, we can tell who cares, who pays attention, who remembers. I once gave in full sincerity a faceless rubber pig to my sister. I don’t know what this says about me or her, but she still has it. My sister and I ...

Just Jonathan: It’s the little things

Local Columns

Imagine this series of events: On a rainy morning, someone wakes up and gets ready for work. While getting dressed, they glance out the window and decide it's going to be a pretty good day. Not even ten minutes into the drive, a message comes through saying work has been delayed for a few ...

This old dog might catch the bumper

Editorials

Chris Jones fancied himself trolling for walleyes in the backwaters of the Upper Mississippi River near Lansing in his retirement. Instead, the 65-year-old found himself disembarking at Philadelphia for the NetRoots conference on his way to a goal of raising $1 million in his uphill Iowa ...

Just Jonathan: The Spread

Local Columns

I’m going to depart from my usual commentary on what’s going on around town. I think a more zoomed-out take of mine could be something interesting. As of late, I’ve been thinking about information and how it spreads, not only to me, but to other people in our community. Now, right off ...

Magic Mike 6XL: Never Been Wrong

Local Columns

My father, the Old One, as well as my sister, seems to take precautions against ever admitting that they are wrong. I could give a multitude of examples for both, but here is a single example for just the Old One. So, I was taking my father somewhere the other day, and Dixie came along as ...