Paying an out-of-state vendor millions of dollars to do what the State Auditor’s Office can do at a fraction of the cost — literally about five cents on the dollar — isn’t efficient: It’s a waste of your tax dollars. Iowans love pie — me included. My favorite is strawberry ...

We all know the scene: the pencil pauses, the brow furrows, and a deep sigh escapes. Watching a student wrestle with a challenging math problem feels, to any caring adult, like an emergency. Our impulse is to intervene, hand over the answer, and end the suffering. But when it comes to ...

Iknow summer is here when I see the Goldfinches return. I call them Iowa Gold, and they are the State Bird of Iowa. They color coordinate with the dandelions that are ubiquitous in our yard. I’m not going to lift a finger to eradicate these globes of sunshine for three reasons: 1. When my ...

“Project Hail Mary” is proof. Based upon the novel of the same name by author Andy Weir (who also wrote “The Martian”), the science fiction film released by Amazon MGM Studios has already grossed more than $600 million worldwide, on a $190 million budget. The film had the highest ...

Week 15 of the session is complete, we have passed the 100 day mark. That means our pages and clerks are dismissed and the legislators are no longer receiving a per diem expense reimbursement for our travel and living expenses. And even more pressing, it’s getting into planting season, so the ...

Take it from a veteran who’s been homeless: Just because you see me in the streets doesn’t mean I’m not working. After their service, many veterans struggle with low-wage work, mental health issues, and challenges with their families. It’s something most people don’t want to talk ...