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Why should we subsidize nuke plants and giant data centers?

Your View

Ronald Reagan once said: “If you want more of something, subsidize it; if you want less of something, tax it.” If this simple principle still holds true, state lawmakers are telling us we need: 1) more nuclear power plants that are costly and produce long-lasting radioactive waste and 2) more giant data centers that gobble up our energy and water resources. Why? According to news reports, legislators want to pass a sales tax exemption (House File 2757) that could cost taxpayers $65 million for the restart of Iowa’s only nuclear power plant — the Duane Arnold Energy Center ...

Community support appreciated

Your View

The American Legion Auxiliary, Unit #46, Marshalltown, thanks the businesses and merchants who provided prizes and gift certificates for our annual St. Patrick’s card party. Many of these businesses generously continue to support the American Legion Auxiliary, Unit 46. We would also like to thank the patrons who attend this annual event. This auxiliary fundraiser supports veteran projects and programs we provide in our community. The following businesses supported this year’s St. Patrick’s card party: 19 Salon & Spa, 3rd Generation Upholstery, American Legion Post 46, American ...

The Media exploit the Pope as Trump’s public enemy No. 1

Columnists

When “60 Minutes” lined up three American Catholic Cardinals who had been dropping angry “open letters” on President Donald Trump, CBS reporter Norah O’Donnell mustered the audacity to claim, “their candor surprised us.” No, they knew precisely what they were orchestrating — ...

District 53 Newsletter from Rep. Dean Fisher

Columnists

Week 14 of the session is complete and we are starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel. This past week we were busy dealing with many bills on the House Floor each day, including bills that are back from the Senate with amendments. Last week the House passed House File 2753, a bill to create a fund for new prison infrastructure. By the end of Fiscal Year 2027 the state will pay off the 2009 bonds that paid for construction of the new prison in Fort Madison. Two thirds of the funds used to pay off those bonds will roll into this new fund, with the other third being used for ...

What has passed is not always what was best

Columnists

Your memories will try to trick you. I thought about that as I was driving down a street near my house the other day, when I spotted a father walking down the sidewalk, his young daughter slung over his shoulder like a sack of coal he was hauling out of a mine. Her hair bounced along on his back and she looked thrilled. They had been out on a stroll, and she’d asked for a ride: That was the story the image told me. Adorable, I thought, for a second. But wait. What was that look of resignation on the dad’s face? Did I recognize that parental exhaustion myself, that feeling of ...

Rome Resident, Sam Krieger, Vietnam Vet, “It’s Mind Over Matter.”

Columnists

Sam Krieger, of rural Rome, Iowa, scoffs at being called a war hero. “My Uncle Hes,” he says. “Now, he was a war hero.” At the age of 77, and breathing hard with COPD, Sam digs around in his artifacts and paraphernalia. He finds a framed newspaper article, “Black Devils of World War II Honored in DC, Earn Congressional Medal of Honor.” “That’s Francis Heston,” says Sam. “My Uncle Hes. He was in the brig because he was late in returning from leave. He was given the choice of joining the Black Devils or finishing his sentence. He joined the Devils. He didn’t know ...