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Editorials

Harnessing the power of the wind in Iowa

The expansion of wind generation has been, and continues to be, a boon for rural development. Wind energy is one of the fastest-growing sources of electricity across the nation. Several Midwest states, including Iowa, are leading the charge in its development, according to recent reports from ...

The fight for clean water in the land of CAFOs

I live in Northwest Missouri…land of corn and beans, and if the corporate agriculture groups have any say in it, the land of CAFOS. Concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) are large, mostly corporate farms that house at least 1,000 confined or stabled animals. Since 2019, when the ...

Slices of Life: A new pair of shoes

A new pair of shoes I love my wardrobe. Heck, I love clothes. A lot. But for years (for decades, people) I put that all on the back burner. I was due to the kids. It’s always due to the kids, isn’t it? They always bear the brunt of our angst. We sacrifice for them. Gladly. Because that ...

Slices of Life: Being invited

For much of my life, I’ve been the inviter. I enjoyed planning and inviting people to those plans. But in the last few years I haven’t invited much of anyone anywhere. I didn’t have the heart for it. I lacked momentum and (to be honest) felt broken so I took on a rather new role. I ...

Iowa Outdoors

The annual August roadside survey of pheasants found Iowa’s statewide pheasant population to be nearly 23 birds per survey route; a 15 percent increase over 2022. The biggest increases were in the southwest, northwest and northeast regions. Our pheasant population is the highest it’s been ...

Slices of Life: Parenting adults

Life isn’t easy. And the epitome of that, perhaps, might be parenting. (Okay, maybe the epitome is death, but let’s take a week away from that topic, shall we?) In regards to parenting being difficult: stop the judgmental comments already. I know what you’re thinking. People who ...

Slices of Life: Good news and bad news

In simple terms, life can be summed up as moments of “good news” and “bad news.” I’ve come to believe it’s best to embrace both: the good and the bad because each makes us who we are. Each molds us. Each helps us grow as we are supposed to, meant to, during our time here on this ...

Launch your career with a Grassley Internship

BUTLER COUNTY, IOWA – U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) is accepting applications for his Spring 2024 internship program, an opportunity for college-age Iowans to learn firsthand about our federal government. Internships are available in Grassley’s offices in Washington, D.C., ...

Slices of Life: An adventure with superglue

Note to readers (and self) super glue does not mix well with granite countertops. Recently I had the opportunity to experience this noxious combination in the comfort of my own kitchen. This was not my doing. But you already knew that. Late one night (when all the excitement happens at ...

Are you ‘woke’ or asleep to racial and social justice issues?

Charlie Chaplin once said “A day without laughter is a day wasted.” Life around my Dad (Lester Corbin, 1909-2000) was filled with jokes, teasing and what became known as “Lester’isms.” Raised around the humor of Red Skelton, Redd Foxx, Jonathan Winters, Rodney Dangerfield, Richard ...