Opinion

Thanks to MPD and a good ‘Samaritan’

Your View May 5, 2026

I need to publicly thank an unknown citizen and the Marshalltown Police Department. I had been looking in my car and all over the house for my black ISU portfolio and enclosed documents after using it uptown to bay a bill. It was not to be found. Then one of Marshalltown’s fine policemen rings my doorbell with my lost portfolio in hand. It seems someone had found it on the street (Lincoln Street?) and turned it into at the police station. I’m now guessing I put it on top of my car, forgot to take it down, and it flew off as I drove. While it had no great value, getting it and its ...

Cleanup years ago

Your View May 5, 2026

I am writing to share a conversation I had this morning over coffee with an older gentleman. He mentioned that when he was a child, his father had him sweep the sidewalk in front of his restaurant every morning. Interestingly, rather than sweeping the debris into the street, he swept it into a garbage bag to be disposed of properly. This made me wonder why a similar practice isn’t more common today, rather than relying on volunteers for neighborhood or storefront upkeep. I thought it was an interesting perspective on maintaining our local walkways.

How the DHS funding lapse has strained homeland security

Columnists May 4, 2026

The shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has not just been another political dispute happening in Washington — it is a direct threat to the safety and security of the American people at a time when our country is facing heightened threats to our national security. For more ...

Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive

Your View May 4, 2026

To: Community of Marshalltown We are happy to let you know that the Letter Carrier’s will once again hold their Food Drive “Stamp Out Hunger” on Saturday, May 9. Your letter carrier will be collecting non-perishable food donations left by mailboxes and a drop box in the post office for the local food pantries of the Salvation Army and the Emergency Food Box. This effort by members of the National Association of Letter Carriers and other volunteers is the largest one-day food drive in the nation. Grocery and gas prices are rising, and many in our community are experiencing ...

Columnists May 4, 2026

This newsletter is written as the legislature continues to work through the final hours of the session Saturday night and into Sunday morning. As I finish writing this in the chamber, it’s 11:30 AM Sunday, May 3, and we’ve been here working for nearly 27 hours. Senate File 2490, which ...

Iowa’s next generation is ready – let’s meet them at the polls

Columnists May 2, 2026

Iowa students aren’t sitting on the sidelines, waiting their turn – they are already building our future. As Secretary of State, I often have the privilege of meeting with high school and college students. I get to travel across the state and meet students on their own turf, at their ...