Iowa Center for Public Affairs Journalism (http://www.iowawatch.org/)
Federal food safety inspectors say long-standing problems that are getting worse are making adequate oversight of meat processing all but impossible.
There was a sobering news report a few weeks ago that did not get the attention it deserved here in Iowa. That’s unfortunate, because the report should put to rest once and for all the shortsighted attempts by some members of the Iowa Senate to interfere with public safety. Randy Evans
STRAY THOUGHTS
Randy Evans is the executive director of the Iowa Freedom of Information Council. He is a former editorial page editor and assistant managing editor of The Des Moines Register. Opinions are his own.
Wildfires are becoming an ever more present threat and forcing communities in the western United States to learn to live with them. Episode 3 of News21’s State of Emergency series.
Some of my friends who are Democrats are asking Iowa party officials some very uncomfortable questions these days. I applaud these people for standing up. Their questions go something like this:
Is the Iowa Democratic Party more concerned about keeping the Iowa caucuses first in the nation in the presidential nomination process, even if the caucus structure prevents countless Democrats from participating? Randy Evans
STRAY THOUGHTS
Randy Evans is the executive director of the Iowa Freedom of Information Council. He is a former editorial page editor and assistant managing editor of The Des Moines Register.
A tornado leaves a scar in communities, but also leaves in its victims. Episode 2 of the News21 documentary series starts in Platteville, Wisconsin.
Hurricane survivors say deciding to leave when a storm hits is easy compared to the aftermath — dealing with wind and flood damage, and psychological trauma that lasts for weeks, months, even lifetimes. Episode one of News21’s four-part documentary series “State of Emergency.”
The Iowa Freedom of Information Council this week announced the 2019 recipients of its Friend of the First Amendment Award, which is given each year in memory of longtime Iowa Press Association and Iowa Daily Press Association journalist Harrison “Skip” Weber. This year’s recipients are the mother of a police shooting victim and two Iowa newspaper editors. They will be honored on Sept. 26 during the annual Celebrating a Free Press and Open Government banquet in Des Moines. (click the button to buy a banquet ticket)
The recipients are:
Brian Cooper, the longtime editor of the Dubuque Telegraph Herald, through the years has been one of Iowa’s leading voices on the important role public access to government records and meetings plays in our democracy and in ensuring government accountability.
This year’s Iowa State Fair received spotlight attention from coast to coast, thanks in large measure to the presence of just about everyone with an itch to be the next United States president. Shoe-horned into this Norman Rockwell-esque portrait this year was an unfortunate incident that showed an embarrassing lack of understanding and appreciation for the important role freedom of speech plays in our state.
Research shows that recovery from natural disasters needs to go deeper than repairing homes and communities. Survivors need mental health help too.
Even after record flooding in the Midwest, people with ties to the land — whose livelihoods depend on living close to waterways — don’t want to move.