This week, Wal-Mart announced it will be raising prices. CNN reports we can expect from 10 to 30 percent price hikes soon on anything from windshield wipers to soccer balls to bananas.

Letter: Big? Beautiful? How about big and bloated?
Opinions/Editorials · May 28, 2025
It seems that every time I turn on the television I have to suffer through yet another dishonest Republican ad trumpeting all of the supposed good things that will come from the Big Beautiful Bill (BBB), or as I prefer to call it, the Big, Bloated Bill.

The Gruenhagen Gazette: Cellphones banned in school, gun rights secured
by Kerry Gruenhagen, Iowa Senate District 4 · Opinions/Editorials · May 21, 2025
Almost two weeks after our scheduled finish, the legislative session officially concluded.

82nd Indivisible: Trump spends millions on travel instead of safety net
Opinions/Editorials · May 21, 2025
Is anyone in your family on Medicaid? That’s healthcare for the poor. Or Medicare? That’s healthcare for elderly. Or Social Security? 

Letter: Call to duty: We must protect our democracy
Opinions/Editorials · May 21, 2025
As we gather this Memorial Day to celebrate with friends and family, or with community, to honor those who sacrificed everything to defend and protect the great nation our founders envisioned, a Constitutional Democratic Republic based upon freedom, liberty, and justice for all, we would do well to reflect upon the words President Abraham Lincoln delivered at Gettysburg on November 19, 1863.

82nd Indivisible: Should US allow gang to murder Abrego Garcia?
Opinions/Editorials · May 14, 2025
I have immense sympathy for Kilmar Abrego Garcia and his family.

The Gruenhagen Gazette: Bill restricts PBMs to lower prescription costs
by Kerry Gruenhagen, Iowa Senate District 4 · Opinions/Editorials · May 07, 2025
May 2nd marked the final scheduled day of the 2025 legislative session, but lawmakers are heading into overtime to finalize budget agreements and address remaining issues.

Letter: Hendrickson’s ideas will not help economy
Opinions/Editorials · May 07, 2025
A recent West Branch Times guest opinion, “In defense of Trump’s tariffs and trade policies,” by John Hendrickson is an example of ersatz economics written by someone who is not an economist and who (apparently) has never read an intermediate or advanced textbook on international economics.

Guest column: In defense of Trump’s tariff and trade policies
by John Hendrickson · Opinions/Editorials · April 30, 2025
“I believe in the protective tariff policy and know we will be calling for its saving Americanism again,” stated President Warren G. Harding.

82nd Indivisible Group: SAVE Act designed to suppress millions of voters across nation
Opinions/Editorials · April 30, 2025
In April, Congress voted to pass the SAVE Act, which requires everyone to show proof of citizenship to vote in federal elections.

Your Capitol Voice: Bill offers incentives to firefighters who stick around
by Bobby Kaufmann, State Representative · Opinions/Editorials · April 30, 2025
Session is beginning to wind down.

The Gruenhagen Gazette: Guard members may use funds for more education
by Kerry Gruenhagen, Iowa Senate District 4 · Opinions/Editorials · April 30, 2025
The fifteenth week of the legislative session has been focused on advancing the bills that met previous deadlines and finalizing the budget.