Opinion

This week the House passed a framework for autonomous vehicles in Iowa. SF 302 outlines the parameters for the operation of autonomous vehicles including insurance requirements and accident liability. Autonomous vehicles must follow existing traffic laws and will be regulated by the Department of Transportation...

Regardless of whether you take the story of Easter literally, figuratively or don't believe it at all, the holiday is a celebration of what was once thought impossible. More than that, it created a fork in the road. It's a crux at which members of the human race either choose to believe in the biblical account of Christ's resurrection and do their best to live accordingly, or deny it happened and live as they desire. ...

Sunday, I celebrated Easter with an amazing morning Mass with family, then ventured to Holstein to enjoy an Easter meal with my wife’s side of the family. Several of them live in Holstein so it just makes for a convenient location to get together. As a family we laughed, shared stories, enjoyed a great meal comprised of dishes brought by everyone and basically we fellowshipped. ...

Traditionally Christians held Easter Sunrise service in a church cemetery. That is right, in the cemetery itself, and there are good reasons for holding it there. After all, the first Easter took place in a graveyard where the Lord of life rose to defeat the shackles of death...

President Donald Trump uses vinegar to get what he wants but rarely any sugar. He is more inclined to use a sledgehammer to beat what he wants from whom he wants it from, and then if they resist, he beats them again. That is why agriculture and ethanol groups are afraid to challenge Trump in spite of his having the most damaging RFS and trade policy for the agriculture sector in modern history. ...

As the kids entered the room single file, some chatted with the friend behind them, a few listened closely trying to decipher the words set to a melody of music from a distant land — a couple even tried to cut in line. Some of the students asked questions just to ask. Others wondered why I was there from the beginning and what was going on...

Created way back in 2008, Record Store Day has been an interesting addition to my annual holidays. It caught on when I was in high school and was eager to widen my interest in music. Unlike other regions where record stores have gone the way of other cool local places like roller rinks or drive-in theaters, I think music fans and vinyl collectors in Iowa are very lucky to have the record stores that continue to serve our quest to find our next favorite LP...

America loves a comeback story. We love the tale of folks who hit rock bottom, overcome incredible odds, and climb to a mountaintop. We saw a pretty great one on Sunday as Tiger Woods captured the Master’s green jacket — his fifth. While I was traveling and didn't get to enjoy a favorite April Sunday tradition, lounging on my couch watching Sunday at Augusta, I followed Tiger Woods' move up the leader board through radio updates. ...

Often when we talk about politics, we groan and roll our eyes. We are fatigued with the topic, avoid it at all costs and grow weary of the never-ending and what seems like unwinable debates. Saturday however we experienced the best of politics at Eggs and Issues in Spencer. ...

In less than a week's time, the public in northwest Iowa went from being surprised by the sudden closing of addiction treatment center Compass Pointe, to wondering what society will do with the hundreds of clients who were suddenly dumped, to a twinge of relief as Seasons Center for Behavioral Health took steps to pick up the slack. ...

I attended Eggs and Issues last Saturday and your reporter, Joseph Hopper, completely missed the tenor of David Johnson's long-winded question which wasn't even a question, but a diatribe against Mike Naig, Sen. Joni Ernst and Rep. Steve King. Johnson, ironically, started his speech calling for "civility and common ground" and then complained "our campaigns are not Iowa nice..." He then proceeded to demonstrate the opposite! He was rude, condescending, uncivil and, quite frankly, very nasty!...

A pardon by the president was promised if the newly appointed acting Secretary of Homeland Security Keven McAleenan was charged with breaking the law by following President Donald Trump’s orders on border security. This followed the dismissal of Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen because Trump felt she was not tough enough and disagreed with the family separation policy. ...

Upon returning last Tuesday from a refreshing and enlightening cruise on the Mississippi River (thanks to the Adventure Club at Farmers Trust and Savings Bank), I thought I’d be sharing the sights and history of the river, in the fashion of Mark Twain. ...

Iowans have always taken pride in our strong local governments. House Study Bill 165, under the guise of property tax relief, threatens that long held value. The fact is, our property tax rates compared to income have actually decreased since 1980, even as tax supported service demands increased...

If you love our country you should take comfort that the president didn’t willingly collude with a foreign enemy to take control of our democracy. The rule of law is working, no matter your opinion of the person holding the office. The sole and narrowly defined directive for the special counsel was to only investigate if there was willful collusion between Russia and the Trump campaign (“willful” being the operative word here). ...