Opinion

The Food and Agricultural Policy Research Institute, which is the research and analysis entity associated with the University of Missouri, calculated the loss of 1.64 billion bushels of corn demand and $20 billion of ethanol revenue as the result of 2.25 billion gallons in renewable identification number wavers granted to "small" refineries by the Trump administration. ...

We know the Bible is a love story telling us how much the Lord loves his creation and especially man who Isaiah said was created, formed and made by God for his glory and for his praise, Isaiah 43:7,21. The Lord has a reason and gives a purpose for living. ...

With the average person changing jobs 10 to 15 times during his or her career, and many workers spending five years or less in every job according to thebalancecareers.com, it may be more important than ever for young people and those transitioning between careers to better understand themselves and to figure out their values before jumping into the labor force...

DES MOINES — Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig commented on the Iowa Crop Progress and Condition report released by the USDA National Agricultural Statistical Service. The report is released weekly from April through November. “A dry week of weather allowed farmers to get back into fields to make hay, chop silage and start harvest, with 2 percent corn and soybeans now harvested. ...

Create a colorful and fragrant fall finale in your garden with groundcovers and vines. Blanket the Earth with hardy groundcovers that add seasonal interest. Then direct your eye skyward with vines climbing on trellises, fences and arbors. Add a cloud of fragrant beauty with the white flowers of sweet autumn clematis. ...

I recall a news item published a couple of months ago about the traveler who was refused boarding on a United Airlines cross county flight with her “emotional support peacock” as a traveling companion. Now, there was great hue and cry over the denial, and scoffing from those on the other side of the fence. Therapy animals have become a common sight, and the emotional benefits of pets are widely accepted...

Doing public photography can be tough sometimes. You can never guess if someone will be upset to see you taking their picture at the newest event going on in town or if someone will have an overwhelming urge to volunteer to appear in every photo. Other times your own self is the problem, never quite getting everything into the right amount of focus. It seems like trouble can come from anywhere and it makes public photography unpredictable...

The average human lifetime has been increasing steadily over the course of centuries. Today, many people are living well past 80 and even 90. Below are a few things you can do to help you live a more active and satisfying life. Stress causes the immune system to become compromised. ...

The crisp autumn air brings a lot of memories with it, many of them pleasant. The wind carries the scent of homecoming football games, comfortable sweaters and, for some, the seasonal resurrection of pumpkin spice. I share in most of those, but I've been mentally blindsided by a more somber memory the last few years. ...

Hard to miss the big buzz in the community last week. No I’m not talking about that old Clay County Fair thing. I’m talking about a local business proprietor who went before the Spencer Planning and Zoning Commission seeking a zoning change which would allow him to convert his current steakhouse operation into a strip club ... ...

Do you have loved ones in Northlawn Cemetery? Are your markers clearly visible? Well, listen up! Unless the city kills the Creeping Charlie, your markers will be gradually taken over by the Creeping Charlie like my loved ones are. Creeping Charlie is a very difficult weed to get rid of, however, it can be done with perseverance. ...

President Theodore Roosevelt, in a speech on May 6, 1903, stood on the edge of the Grand Canyon and said “Leave it as it is. You cannot improve on it. The ages have been at work on it, and man can only mar it”. On June 8, 1906, U.S. representative from Iowa, John F. ...

As this is written, the 2018 edition of the Clay County Fair heads into its final two days. We've enjoyed good fair weather, and I hope huge crowds. I originally didn't like the idea of no longer disclosing the daily number of fair admissions. Now, however, I can see how it adds to the suspense, and is worth doing. ...

There is a reason why developing the most innovative energy policy in the country is one of Governor Reynold’s top priorities. Not only does a focus on access to affordable, reliable, clean energy reduce carbon pollution, but it has also proven to ensure we have a thriving economy. As state and industry leaders work to maximize our energy opportunities, wind power has emerged as Iowa’s top source of renewable energy, to which O’Brien County is playing a major role...

An open letter to every person in Spencer, Iowa. Today is Sept. 10, 2018. I’ve decided on my day off work to attend Veterans Day at the Clay County Fair. I’ve never seen the parade, nor have I heard any of the speeches. But my main goal for this is to give a firm handshake to every veteran who has served in combat. I can’t even fathom what these soldiers go thru during a war. The horror of this, what they see, what situation they’re under ... well, is mind-bending to me...