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Editorials

U.S. Air Froce $1,280 cups

You sent me to Congress with a specific mission: cut wasteful spending and make Washington squeal.I take seriously the responsibility you have entrusted in me to make Washington more competent and less wasteful.Every month, I will be researching and identifying areas of waste, abuse and ...

Working together to support youth mental health

We've all heard the alarming statistics: One in five children have or will have signs or symptoms of a mental health disorder. Only 20% of children who have mental health disorders receive the treatment they need, and most concerning, suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death for children and ...

Q&A: Thanksgiving Message

Q: How does Iowa rank for civic engagement?A: As the launching pad for the presidential campaign trail, Iowans are an engaged electorate. In fact, unofficial numbers from the November elections suggest Iowa broke an all-time record for votes cast in a midterm election, reaching nearly 61 ...

Q & A: Veterans Day

Q: As we observe the centennial anniversary of Armistice Day, what is your message to Iowans?A: First, I join with all of my fellow Americans to pay tribute to all of the men and women who have served our country honorably in uniform during times of war and peace. This year we mark a special ...

Practice kindness to make a difference

AMES Another day, another act of incivility, anger or violence. Ever-pervasive attitudes of self-centeredness and disregard for others seem to symbolize our times. But what if we could flip the script from callousness to kindness? That is one way to make a difference at the grassroots level, ...

Grassely Q & A: elections matter

Q: What is fundamental to our system of self-government?A: The number one check on government "of, by and for" the people is the ballot box.In 1776, the nation's founders issued a clarion call for freedom with the Declaration of Independence, listing dozens of grievances against King George III ...

Veterans History Project

Q: What is the Veterans History Project?A: Congress passed legislation in 2000 to launch the Veterans History Project of the Library of Congress American Folklife Center.The project engages the American public to recognize and document the heroism, bravery and patriotism of the men and women ...

Q & A: Economic forecast

Q: What's leading the U.S. economic momentum now underway?A: By nearly every economic measure, the U.S. economy continues to gain momentum, building on traction from the historic "Tax Cuts and Jobs Act" signed into law last year. Paychecks are growing and workers are reporting higher job ...

Higher wages and a skilled workforce

At no time in our state's history has the need for education and training after high school been more important. A Georgetown University Center for Education and Workforce report shows that by 2025, 68% of jobs in Iowa will require some education and training beyond high school. That means ...

Community journalism matters because communities matter

"Everything in this newspaper is important to someone."It's become something of a mantra for me, in recent years.Weekly community newspapers are eclectic, to say the least. We publish photos of ribbons being cut at bakeries, and donations being dropped off at local food pantries. We print the ...