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Q&A: Affordable Child Care

Q: How are you working to address affordable child care for families?

Small town Iowa shines at OST

The staff and students of the Summer 2024 season at Okoboji Summer Theatre have shown us for six consecutive weeks that there has been much talent and even more desire to give the audience the best they can in a live theatrical production.

This week’s seventh and final show of the summer has everything in one big package. “The Music Man” written by Iowa native Meredith Wilson about River City, a small Iowa town, teaches us to believe in each other and ourselves.

Our debt crisis keeps getting worse

At the end of July, our national debt officially topped $35 trillion. This development comes just seven months after our country surpassed $34 trillion in debt and less than a year since our national debt eclipsed $33 trillion last September. As a father of four, I firmly believe that we have both a moral and financial obligation to our children and grandchildren to enact real reforms that begin to reduce our exploding national debt and restore fiscal sanity to Congress.

Drug overdose awareness campaigns prevent overdose and save lives

The International Overdose Awareness Day 2024 theme is ‘Together we can,’ focusing on every individual action. Drug overdose is a national health crisis fueled by the opioid epidemic. Every community across Iowa has been impacted in some way.  

Ol’ Blue Eyes steals our hearts

I went to opening night of this week’s Okoboji Summer Theatre show knowing that I have always enjoyed the music of Frank Sinatra but learned a lot about just how large his influence was and still is in the music world. If you didn’t care that much about his music before the curtains opened, you were enjoyably enlightened by the time the curtains closed.

The contrast is obvious

Politically, the last month has been historic, culminating in the selection by the Republican Party of Donald Trump to be their presidential nominee and the expected nomination by the Democratic Party of Kamala Harris. However, the historical landmark will undoubtedly be the July 24 speech by Joe Biden.

Trails Talk 08-01-24

2024 Bikes-Brews-Bites celebration a big success

Q&A: Immigration’s impact on budget and economy

Q: What is the Congressional Budget Office (CBO)?

Farm Bill prevents American farmland from falling into wrong hands

Before I voted for the Farm Bill – which passed out of the House Agriculture Committee in May – I held many town halls with farmers and producers as part of my 36 County Tour and Feenstra Agriculture Tour to ensure that the priorities of our agricultural community were included in this vital legislation.

Sun, Sand, Surf & Sidewalls

Third edition of Tom Tourville's surf music series hits store shelves

Sun, Sand, Surf & Sidewalls is the newest book by local author Tom Tourville, delivering a breezy blast from the past for readers who look back fondly on the carefree days of summer music before British bands like The Beetles took America by storm and killed the surf genre.

I don't want to forget

By Jessica Amendt - Discovery House

As I write this, it was one month ago today when one of our communities, as we know it, completely changed. During that time, there have been thoughts and feelings that I told myself I didn't want to forget. Regardless of how much I say to myself that I could never forget something this important, the reality is that I will. Maybe not completely, but the memories and emotions will fade over time. Here is what I hope to never forget.

Only American citizens should be allowed to vote in American elections

The right to vote forms the bedrock of our democratic republic and gives an important voice to the people — of which, by which, and for which our country was established, and President Lincoln so eloquently put during his Gettysburg Address on Nov. 19, 1863. Men and women in uniform have sacrificed their own lives to ensure that our nation could be free and that we all have the right to participate in our system of government.

Q&A: Assassination attempt calls for answers and civility

Q: What are your thoughts about the assassination attempt on former President Trump’s life?

My trip to Israel

Last month, I traveled to Israel to meet with government officials about the ongoing war. We walked the Kibbutzes where innocent Israelis were murdered, raped, beheaded, and tortured by Hamas terrorists and learned more of the horrifying details about the worst attack on Jews since the Holocaust. We saw firsthand the food, water, medical supplies, and other aid that Israel is actively delivering to civilians in Palestine despite unfounded outcry from Hamas apologists.

Q&A: Border Policies Put Kids in Harm's Way

Q: What prompted your oversight of the Biden administration’s handling of unaccompanied children who have arrived at the border alone?

Thanks to Spirit Lake sand bag warriors

Many thanks go out to the Spirit Lake Community School staff for their quick and cheerful response in providing sandbags to our harbor neighborhood and to other area neighborhoods, I am certain as well.

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