We are so blessed in Iowa to have the first in the nation caucus.  All the world will be watching Iowa on the evening of Monday, Jan. 15, 2024!  The person who wins the Iowa caucus gets a huge boost going into the New Hampshire primary.  The people in Scott County have an opportunity to influence what goes on in the world with their vote on caucus night. more

I’m looking forward to Iowa’s Jan. 15 caucus and not just for the temporary reprieve from negative political ads. Due to the presidential preference card changes, Democrats will be getting back to basics and expanding opportunities to participate in candidate selection. more

" ... Without proof, you don’t get to say, 'there must have been fraud,' not in a democracy. If you do, you should not participate in an election in America, because you are too weak to accept losing ..." more

"Students are invited to join the Democratic Caucus on Monday, January 15, 2024, at North High School, 626 West 53rd St. Doors open at 6 p.m. ..." more

"If we Americans elect a self-proclaimed dictator to be our president, we will deserve what we get: An end to our democracy ..." more

The morning of Christmas Eve day, I sat toward the front of the church and videoed the choir, of which I am normally a part, as it sang anthems, including the beautiful "Angels Are Making Their Rounds," under the direction of Ryan Riewerts. I was, in the words of Methodist founder, John Wesley, strangely warmed on this day when my energy was low and I was not feeling well. more

Thanks to the 121 letter writers and guest columnists who made our opinion pages in 2023. more

Jan. 6, 1999: After a mild December, January started with a wallop, as 14 inches of snow dropped, followed by heavy winds and frigid temperatures. Several local churches cancelled services and Slagle’s grocery stores in Eldridge and LeClaire closed early for the first time since 1979. more

The Scott County Board of Supervisors is being called to task over the refusal of a majority on the board to accept the report of a 3-person recount board in a closely contested Pleasant Valley School Board race. more

2023 will be in the top 15 for driest years according to the state’s 151 years of records. Despite ongoing record drought – we’ll end the year with 182 consecutive weeks of at least moderate (D1) drought somewhere in the state - Iowa farmers harvested yet another strong, better-than-expected crop. It’s a testament to timely rains throughout the growing season and constant innovation in genetics, traits, technology, practices, and much more. more

"If after hundreds of years of educating our youth in the space of a full five-day week, we have finally discovered that a weekly early dismissal is the answer to better education, then offer it on Mondays ..." more

"Biden is supporting people on the demand side of the economy in the belief that what drives economic growth is the demand for goods and services ..." more

"The Extension Council would like to congratulate Bill Tubbs on being honored as Friend of the First Amendment by the Iowa Freedom of Information Council ..." more

There were a number of items I had hoped to write about at year's end, but time was slipping away before Christmas, and my triple bypass surgery that was to have taken place Dec. 13 was rescheduled Dec. 26 at University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics in Madison due to Covid, which I wrote about in the Dec. 13 NSP. more

Dec. 28, 1983: Princeton, LeClaire and Pleasant Valley firefighters battled a fire early on Christmas morning at the Cole home, five miles southwest of Princeton. The family huddled in a barn as firefighters battled the flames and frigid wind chills. Two rooms and an outside wall were damaged, due to the fire, which was caused by faulty wiring. But there were no injuries, and no presents were damaged. more

City leaders in Davenport seem to have forgotten that city government there belongs to the people. It does not belong to the folks who were elected to city offices. more

"That hatred will continue to plague us until we stand together to elect tactful and capable people ..." more

"Now we have an election that will determine whether or not we continue to have a Democracy ..." more

In the Aug. 2 issue I shared impressions of the country of Uganda in a column entitled, "Did you see any unhappy people?" The answer was no, despite the enormous challenges the people of this nation of 50 million souls in the heart of equatorial Africa face in their daily living. more

Dec. 19, 1973: Two area women were hospitalized after a strange car accident between Eldridge and Long Grove. Geese flew up out of a farm field and into the path of a southbound vehicle. The driver braked to avoid striking the geese and slippery road conditions caused her vehicle to skid into the path of a northbound vehicle. Both vehicles were totaled. more