October has been designated National Pork Month. That makes it an especially good time to reflect on the importance of the pork industry to this state. It’s unlikely that anyone who lives in Iowa does not already know that pork production contributes mightily to the economic vitality of the ...

Domestic violence is complex. It often goes unreported. It is often is repetitive. And it often is an unhealthy solution to relationship challenges. Domestic violence is also complex in who it impacts. Not only are survivors forever changed by the abuse they endure, many times children are ...

Managing taxpayer dollars is no easy feat. There will always be people unhappy with how the city decides to allot its budget. This week the city council was influenced by those constraints and made a decision to demolish the Senior Citizen’s Center. The decision was highly contested by some ...

Have you gotten your flu shot yet? Why not? Many health care professionals are urging the public — especially those who, because of age or existing health conditions may be more vulnerable to the flu — to get immunized as soon as possible. They have a very good reason for being worried. ...

While our newspaper has had many names and leaders over the years, our goal to keep Central Iowa informed has not wavered. A building fire in the 1900s and a tornado hitting our building a few months ago did not stop us from getting the news out. The strength of a newspaper goes hand in hand ...

Iowa tragically lost two young women — Mollie Tibbetts and Celia Barquin Arozamena — recently. The stories have not only shaken our state, but they have made their way around the world. While their lives should be fondly remembered and not politicized, our communities must look at the ...