“Rod Stewart Hair”
“I like your hair!” a woman at the party said.
Opinions
Q: Why is it important to keep health care clinics viable in small towns and rural communities?
A: In January, I started my annual 99 county meetings across Iowa. For the last four decades, I’ve traveled to every corner of the state to hold open dialogue with my constituents. At my recent meeting...
“Whites, it must frankly be said, are not putting in a similar mass effort to re-educate themselves out of their racial ignorance. It is an aspect of their sense of superiority that the white people of America believe they have so little to learn.”
—Martin Luther King Jr.
As I write this, Dr....
The 2021 legislative session began on January 11 with some changes in protocol, but with the purpose of serving Iowans in a meaningful and transparent way. As I write this first newsletter of the session, I want to share with you the sense of purpose and hope that I encounter in the Capitol...
It was a proud day as I was sworn into my second four-year term as the Senator of District 26 in the great state of Iowa. Having my family at the ceremony was special and creates a lasting memory for all of us.
The legislative session looks much different this year due to the safety protocols in...
The first week at the Iowa State Capitol was nothing short of interesting, informative, and very busy. I took part in committee meetings, met with fellow representatives from across the state, and took time to meet with Speaker Grassley on legislative priorities for our part of Iowa. I am thankful...
Every new year brings with it the promise of a fresh start, a new beginning. We have begun 2021 with hope and optimism for good health and a return to life as we knew it before COVID-19, as shown by our Lights of Hope, which were on display through Jan. 7.
As health care workers, we see firsthand...
“My Treat Bag”
Dax stared at me in disbelief. I am the Treat Lady, and I had no treats. It was inexplicable.
Dax is one of my regular customers. He is a young black dog with a lot of energy. His sister, Zia, is a little older and has the uncanny ability to find me with or without her owner...
“If fascism comes, it will not be identified with any ‘shirt’ movement, nor with an ‘insignia,”’but will be wrapped up in the American flag and heralded as a plea for liberty and preservation of the constitution.”
—James Waterman Wise, Jr.
As a journalist, I firmly believe that the illusion of...
The legislative session for 2021 begins on January 11 and promises to be unique in many ways. We will be gathering in person, but will have many adjustments to make to limit the number of people in one space and allow for social distancing.
After every election all the committee assignments are...
As I recently worked on booting 2020 out my door, I was reminded of some thoughts and comments I’ve expressed during the last year.
We live in confusing times. Many words and messages don’t deliver the meaning they once did, and new terms and phrases must be sorted out. Go back a few years and...
