An open letter to Jessi Simon, executive director of Main Street West Branch:

Your Capitol Voice: Lawmaker actually argued that men can get pregnant
by Bobby Kaufmann, State Representative · Opinions/Editorials · March 04, 2026
This week we began debating the bills that made it out of a policy committee and still have a chance of becoming law.

82nd Indivisible Group: Not too late for respectful talks with reps
Opinions/Editorials · March 04, 2026
It’s not too late in America to have respectful disagreement among neighbors.

The Gruenhagen Gazette: Bill eliminates property taxes for select 60+
by Kerry Gruenhagen, Iowa Senate District 4 · Opinions/Editorials · March 04, 2026
Last week marked the seventh week of the legislative session, and much of our time was spent debating bills that advanced during the previous week’s first legislative deadline.

Main Street Matters: MSWB invites you to celebrate local businesses & eat sweets
by Jessi Simon, MSWB Executive Director · Opinions/Editorials · February 25, 2026
As we look ahead to spring in West Branch, I’m filled with gratitude and excitement for the opportunities we have to gather, celebrate, and invest in the future of our downtown.

82nd Indivisible Group: It’s not too late to repeal 3.8% flat tax in Iowa
Opinions/Editorials · February 25, 2026
When the GOP tells you not to worry that the 2026 budget is only $1.3 billion dollars short, maybe you should. The difference is coming out of the state reserve and the taxpayer relief fund.

Guest column: Hoover looked to Washington to inspire US revival
by John Hendrickson · Opinions/Editorials · February 25, 2026
President Herbert Hoover argued that “what we have need of today in this celebration is to renew in our people the inspiration that comes from George Washington as a founder of human liberty, as the father of a system of government, as the builder of a system of national life.”

Your Capitol Voice: State budget makes education top priority
by Bobby Kaufmann, State Representative · Opinions/Editorials · February 25, 2026
This week the House voted on the single largest expenditure in the State of Iowa budget: our public schools.

Letter: Trump tariffs not just illegal, but bad US policy
Opinions/Editorials · February 25, 2026
As most people know by now, the Supreme Court ruled that most of Trump’s tariffs were illegal.

82nd Indivisible Group: Goodbye starry night, hello brown cloud with Trump rule
Opinions/Editorials · February 18, 2026
This week, in the largest act of deregulation in American history, Trump struck down the Endangerment Finding.

Your Capitol Voice: Bills meant to push colleges to teach more valuable skills
by Bobby Kaufmann, State Representative · Opinions/Editorials · February 18, 2026
This week I will write about an exciting workforce bill.

Strengthening Iowa’s Voice: Cancer
Opinions/Editorials · February 18, 2026
The Iowa Newspaper Association poses questions to the Republican and Democratic parties in a feature, Strengthening Iowa’s Voice