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Does biblical narrative supersede biblical law? According to Deuteronomy 21:17 firstborn sons are given a double share of the inheritance. Thus, if a man had two sons, the firstborn received two thirds of the inheritance; if a man had three sons, his estate was divided into fourths with the firstborn receiving two-fourths or one half; if a man had four sons, his estate was divided into fifths with the firstborn receiving two-fifths; etc. Unmarried daughters were supported by their father or brothers and they received an inheritance only if their father had no sons. Numbers 27 tells ...

Whole milk in schools

Your View

The recent decision to bring whole and 2% milk back to school lunches is a step backward for school nutrition. Many children—especially students of color—are lactose intolerant, while others simply don't need dairy to maintain a healthy diet. At a time when nutritious plant-based milks are widely available, expanding dairy options instead of embracing more inclusive choices makes little sense. School nutrition programs should reflect today's students, not yesterday's assumptions. Plant-based options better serve diverse dietary needs while also addressing the ethical concerns ...

Strengthening our communities recovering from storms and flooding

Columnists

Two years ago, when catastrophic flooding hit Northwest Iowa late in the evening, our communities were devastated by tragic losses. Families lost their homes, businesses were forced to close their doors, schools suffered extensive damage, and critical infrastructure was overwhelmed. In ...

Defending America's founding principles in a divided age

Columnists

The United States nation faces threats that extend beyond the familiar divide between Democrats and Republicans. Increasingly, two ideological movements -- one on the far left, one emerging on the populist right -- share a willingness to undermine the principles that have long defined the ...

No new data centers!

Your View

Dear editor, Data centers are a huge concern for thousands of Iowans. That’s what Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement has learned from a statewide member survey we did, along with meetings, phone calls and other conversations we’ve done over the past five months. We know data centers gobble up our water, energy and farmland. And we also know they gobble up our tax dollars to the tune of billions each year through property tax abatements, sales tax exemptions and other subsidies. The technology that data centers use may be new, but their underlying story has been around a ...

EMPTY NEST

Columnists

Pushing Cows With “Kill-Pen” Horses Yee Haw! I've never seen anything like it in Iowa. Ginnie and I and Ginnie's granddaughter, Aria, were invited to the Suzanne and Adam Lange farm (or ranch) north of Burlington to watch them move 200 head of Angus cattle from one pasture to another, riding kill-pen horses (horses that were headed for slaughter). Yep, not by ATV, or on foot (like we used to do it), but by rescue horses, cowboy style, the cattle were pushed or herded to fresh grazing ground. The old horses loved it as did the riders. The Lange farm is some of the most beautiful ...