To the editor, Dale is a retired United Methodist pastor and Nancy is a retired public librarian. It is clear to both of us that the need to make the substitution of climate “trend” for climate “change” and “creation science” instead of “evolution” is a move to the conservative religious right – to not offend these people. In our study…
Read MoreCategory: Opinion
I Stand with Ukraine
Attn readers – Send an email to news@greenecountynewsonline.com to add your name to the signatures on this post. Victoria Riley, GreeneCountyNewsOnline, Shelly Thornton, Chris Henning, Bryan Helmus, Dale Hanaman, Nancy Hanaman, Aimee (Hane) Bunker and Matt Bunker, Rob Russell, Email news@greenecountynewsonline.com to add your name
Read MoreThe truth, the whole truth, please
~by Victoria Riley, GCNO editor A few years ago I was in Ames with one of my adult daughters. As we drove past Best Buy on S. Duff, she noticed the name of the access St, Chestnut St. “Hey, Mom,” she said. “When I was in high school I was hanging out with …” and she named a few friends.…
Read MoreLetter to the editor – Practice what is right
To the editor, Barbara Brown Taylor, author and theologian, in her book An Altar in the World, says “it is wisdom we need to live together in this world. Wisdom is not gained by knowing what is right. Wisdom is gained by practicing what is right.” Think about the difference in ‘knowing’ and ‘practicing’ what is right. Thinking each person…
Read MoreDummkopfs/Doomkoffs
‘It seemed wrong to write about normal life after that horrendous election.’ -American novelist Anne Tyler The quote above was sent to me by a Jefferson friend, and I immediately thought of a column I wrote a couple of weeks ago that was about my life as an elder rather than my usual political comment; and how I felt when…
Read MoreUnderstanding our transgender neighbors
~by Bryan Helmus Transgender individuals, whose gender identity differs from their sex assigned at birth, deserve the same fundamental rights and respect as everyone else. Significantly, the American Medical Association and the American Psychiatric Association hold that gender is expressed on a wide spectrum, not a binary structure consisting only of males and females. But none of us need…
Read MoreLetter to the editor – D. Lautner re: library
February 12, 2025 To the editor, I’ve been tagged as the most negative person in Jefferson by a former Bee & Herald editor. I wear the badge proudly, but honestly I’m just a realist – telling things like they are – not “sugar coating” them. Let’s start with the library. Do we need a $10 million addition to the Carnegie…
Read MoreView from My Window – February Black History Month
~by Mary Weaver There are so many concerns to write/talk about. Twenty-one days into President Trump’s second term has brought an overwhelming deluge of executive orders brought forward by Elon Musk and DOGE. I am certain readers are either extremely frightened or feeling exhilarated, depending upon your political persuasion. Rather than tackle all the issues facing our country with the…
Read MoreLetter to the editor, Bruce Banister
To the editor. How many Iowa farmers voted for Trump? You are all going to take a severe beating. Have you read Project 2025? It calls for eliminating crop insurance, CRP, etc. etc. Read it and weep. This is just the tip of the iceberg. The president and his minions are running “amusk.” And please, let’s hear from all the…
Read MoreFirst legislative forum of 2024 session held Feb. 1
Nordman, Green claim a Republican mandate from voters in 2024 election ~by Victoria Riley, GreeneCountyNewsOnline Voters in Iowa gave Republicans a mandate to govern and can expect to see the Republican agenda pursued aggressively. That was the message at the first “Meet Your Legislator” hosted by the Thomas Jefferson Gardens board Feb. 1 at the Welcome Center in Jefferson. Chuck…
Read MoreResolutions, no solutions
~a column by Colleen O’Brien There are so many unusual and illegal things popping out of the Oval Office and into the news cycle, it’s a problem which ones to mention: No FAA leader yet, although when someone told the eager beaver in office, he quickly appointed somebody – after the awful crash into the Potomac of a government…
Read MoreThe Capitol Roundup
~by Senator Jesse Green January 31, 2025 The third week of session has arrived and we are now in full swing with many visitors and subcommittees. To begin the week, Senate Republicans released our funding proposal for the next school year, proposing a $235 million increase for K-12 students. The increase in state funding is in addition to the budget…
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