We are now over 14 weeks into the legislative session, and last week was a busy and productive debate week in the Iowa Senate.

Your Capitol Voice: Retired police, fire will get more cancer coverage
by Bobby Kaufmann, State Representative · Opinions/Editorials · April 23, 2025
This week, a bill I have been pushing for years finally got passed by both Chambers and is sitting on the Governor’s desk.

82nd Indivisible: Like Hitler, US defunding welfare, healthcare, basic public services
Opinions/Editorials · April 23, 2025
While Congress continues to refuse vital funding for healthcare, Medicaid, and essential human services that millions of Americans depend on, it has approved a staggering $175 billion for immigration enforcement — 22 times the previous ICE budget.

Soapbox Philosophy: Three holidays more important than Juneteenth in West Branch
by Gregory R. Norfleet · Opinions/Editorials · April 16, 2025
Regarding Juneteenth: The city administrator asserted on March 17 that it is the most important holiday in West Branch’s history.
But I don’t think he meant it.

Q&A with Adam Kofoed on autism
Opinions/Editorials · April 16, 2025
Public Management Magazine posed several questions to West Branch City Administrator Adam Kofoed about his recent diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder:

Social cues: Unmasking autism in public leadership
by Adam Kofoed, WB City Administrator · Opinions/Editorials · April 16, 2025
How do you wake up one day and realize you’re autistic?

The Gruenhagen Gazette: Education bills set state aid funding at $7,988 per pupil
by Kerry Gruenhagen, Iowa Senate District 4 · Opinions/Editorials · April 16, 2025
During the 13th week of the legislative session, lawmakers focused on debating bills that made it past the final legislative deadline.

82nd Indivisible: Iowans deciding to host town halls without Miller-Meeks in attendance
Opinions/Editorials · April 16, 2025
Ever been ghosted by someone when you really need to talk to them?

Letter: Culturopaths’ view of reality will kill freedom
Opinions/Editorials · April 16, 2025
A new mental-health problem has emerged in our land.

Letter: Forget DEI, etc.: Focus teaching on economics
Opinions/Editorials · April 16, 2025
Consider this a public service announcement intended to clear up the fog of confusion and muddled thinking concerning President Trump’s economic agenda.

Letter: Miller-Meeks not working for we the people
Opinions/Editorials · April 16, 2025
The middle class struggles because our elected representatives, such as 1st District Republican Mariannette Miller-Meeks, do not work for us, We the People.

Letter: Most voters did not believe in American values
Opinions/Editorials · April 16, 2025
To believe, or not?