President Trump’s Fiscal Year 2026 draft budget calls for the defunding of many critical programs provided to older persons across the country. The State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) provides Medicare beneficiaries with information, counseling, and enrollment assistance. Its ...
When lawmakers return to Washington, D.C. from their April recess, I don’t have a good feeling about what’ll come next. They’ll begin the process of budget reconciliation, and it doesn’t bode well for rural America. Just look at the budget resolutions they passed before leaving ...
When you have an issue, you go straight to the source. This is what I did recently by taking a trip to Washington D.C. I went to receive advocacy training and advocate for family farms at the expense of the Iowa Farmers Union (IFU). Done through their national organization, this was the first ...
Well, it is Monday April 21. Our great Tama County Board of Supervisors just proved Tama County citizens are not in their best interest. Zoning Administrator Bob Vokoun was on the agenda today and ended up giving his notice of resignation effective May 1, 2025. Our wonderful Board accepted his ...
We are now fourteen weeks into the 2025 legislative session, and the pace at the Capitol remains brisk. This week alone, the Senate passed more than 30 bills addressing a variety of important topics, from civics education requirements for high school students to interstate compacts for health ...
Five years ago, a community in rural Iowa came together to save a vital part of their small town: the grocery store. With a population of approximately 900 people, Gowrie is in many ways an idyllic small town. It boasts a community pool, skating rink, golf course, and park. However, the ...
The second legislative funnel at the Iowa statehouse came and went on April 4. That process winnowed down bills that are eligible for consideration so lawmakers can focus on legislation that has traction in both chambers in addition to spending bills. Of course, property tax reform will ...
It is pure poppycock when people ascribe that the way things are is the way things must be and will always be. There was a time in the mid-20th century when society did not let few companies gain too much control at the expense of others. Unfortunately, public schools are hollowing out, food ...
Just want to get this out to the public: Unless those who have contracts with Salt Creek Wind and residents who are OK with turbine development start coming to the Board of Supervisors meetings, TCAT (Tama County Against Turbines) and this board are going to DICTATE what farmers can do with ...
Some people are builders, and others are destroyers. Some people want to help others by creating new opportunities, giving them new skills, or finding new ways to help them achieve their dreams. Other people want to create obstacles, deny opportunities, or frustrate their hopes. Take the ...