As the fields of Central Iowa zoomed by on the periphery of my blurred line of sight, my eyelids heavy as anvils, I anticipated the turns of the Grinnell College van as it took a route I know now I can complete with my eyes closed.

First, I want to be very clear that I cannot take credit for this week’s article idea as it is an initiative by ISAC (The Iowa State Association of Counties) to bring awareness to the public about what Counties DO and how they support the residents.  While it wasn’t my idea, it is one that I feel very strongly and passionate about, which is why I decided to share it with you all.  

91st Iowa General Assembly Adjourns Sine Die
 
Budget bills were passed and property taxes were reformed before the gavel fell for the last time of the 2026 legislative session. The 91st Iowa General Assembly adjourned sine die on Sunday evening, May 3, after being in session for nearly 34 straight hours.
 

Dogs’ short lives are constantly proving that they are “man’s best friend.” They are loyal and obedient if their master does their part. 
 

In light of the recent transpiring of one of the most pertinent holidays in our calendar year, celebrating the very individuals who brought each of us into this world, I find it fitting to set the theme of this week’s worldly writings to exactly that: Mothers.
 

When I came to Congress, I was committed to giving farmers, producers, and working families a seat at the table and delivering results for those who make Iowa’s 4th district a strong and productive community. Serving one of the largest agricultural districts in the nation, I kept a clear goal: pass a strong, comprehensive Farm Bill that gives our farmers, ranchers, and rural communities the certainty and tools they need to be successful.

Week 16 marks the second week of legislative overtime. Although per diem pay ended and our clerks were dismissed on April 21, we cannot adjourn for the final time this legislative session until the budget bills pass.
A final agreement was reached last week with the Iowa Senate on the overall state budget target, so work continued this week on the specific details within each budget bill.

Throughout my coursework at Grinnell, I’ve stumbled upon (or rather, been kindly pushed toward) a number of wonderful insights that have completely altered the way that I view the world. One of these such insights comes in my understanding of multilingualism. In an effort to share the knowledge I’ve so gratefully been given, it is this new perspective on language that will be the express focus of this week’s column.

By now, I’m sure everyone has seen all the excitement buzzing around the Courthouse.  Last week, we had a crane on site for several days to fly in scaffolding equipment.  Crews then set the scaffolding around the clock tower and statues.  This week, restoration crews are here to repair our beautiful old gals (statues).  

I’m a firm believer that lives of faith are rarely lived out inside of the four walls of the church. Church bodies are important, crucial even. The ministry work that happens within these communities sustain us through the joys and challenges of life and cannot be replaced.

The shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has not just been another political dispute happening in Washington—it is a direct threat to the safety and security of the American people at a time when our country is facing heightened threats to our national security.

There’s grass in the pasture and we are feeding hay because our ambitious fencing changes looked too challenging in the cold weather. I look out the window at a sound and it is a neighbor in a giant tractor with a giant field cultivator on his way to massacre more soil life. The rush of planting is exhilarating but routine, like a school schedule. With livestock there’s more uncertainty and last minute decision making.

With the weather warming and college finals approaching, the season is ripe for long nights, overstress, and a predominantly burdened existence for 19-year-olds, like myself, currently matriculating at undergraduate institutions all over the world.

From pigs we moved on to cattle as an excuse to stay home and a reason to get up in the morning. What’s left of capitalism has made this a country where people retire early and then go on to work some more just to stay busy. We tend the cattle but we worked the pigs. 
 

This week marks a victorious step forward for Northwest Iowa and our national security.