×

Columnists

When child protection becomes an empty promise

As a father, my top priority is protecting my kids. When a child is placed in foster care, their safety and wellbeing become the state’s responsibility. Tragically, the state failed to protect Sabrina Ray, killed by her adoptive parents in 2017, and her siblings from abuse and ...

MCSD opens preschool enrollment for 2026-27

The Marshalltown Community School District (MCSD) has opened enrollment for its 2026-27 preschool programs. Classrooms are located in all six district elementary schools. The program aims to provide a seamless transition into kindergarten while offering a high-quality, research-based ...

Grant Wood memorialized Iowa’s heritage

For 46 years in a row, I’ve traveled across our state to meet with Iowans in every county, every year. Each time, I learn something new in the county I’m visiting and enjoy getting a first-hand look at high-quality goods and services made here in Iowa. Some things never change, such as ...

Iowa can do more to reduce workforce barriers

The need for more qualified workers is a bipartisan issue in Iowa. Regardless of a rural or urban setting, workforce is still a concern for many employers and communities. State policymakers have been responsive to this concern, and they have actively been easing regulatory burdens in recent ...

Equal, fair and farce

When NBC affiliates in Tennessee showed the movie “Necessary Roughness” in 1994, those affiliates were required to give a Democrat Senate candidate 4 minutes and 13 seconds of free airtime. The Democrat was running against Fred Thompson, the actor turned Republican Senate candidate. When ...

The Warme Wire: Week Six

The sixth week of the legislative session brought us right up to the first major deadline of the year, often called the “funnel.” This is the point in session when ideas need to move forward through committee in order to stay alive for further consideration. As you might imagine, that meant ...