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Editorials

The question is simple: three supervisors or five?

As Tama County voters consider whether to reduce the Board of Supervisors from five members back to three, I believe we need to separate personalities and political disagreements from the fundamental question before us: Is Tama County better represented and better governed by three ...

Rural Iowa deserves a voice in its technology future

When most people think about artificial intelligence, they picture Silicon Valley, not rural Iowa. But AI is already affecting our communities. It is driving interest in large data centers, entering our classrooms, and raising questions about how our water, electricity, and personal information ...

To the residents of Tama County

My name is Amanda Kriegel, and I have served as Tama County Treasurer since April 2022. I am continuing my candidacy for Treasurer as a write-in candidate in this year’s general election, and I want Tama County residents to know more about my record, my experience and what I hope to ...

Brass Tacks from Rural Iowa: The price is… high

I have a habit of watching C-SPAN, with my coffee, possibly more mornings than I’d like to admit. That or RFD-TV, which has real-time updates on grain or fertilizer prices. But every now and again I take a break and flip through a few channels before setting about my day at hand. Not too ...

Why access to specialty care matters to rural communities

For many people living in our rural communities, healthcare decisions often involve more than choosing the right provider. It can also mean arranging transportation, taking additional time away from work, finding childcare or making a long drive for a relatively short appointment. While those ...

Socialism doesn’t work

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 ...

Brass Tacks from Rural Iowa: Election Integrity or Intimidation?

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

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 ...

Reflections on America250

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 ...