Derecho

Evans: Today’s leaders could learn from Terry Branstad

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Regardless of what you think of his political positions, Terry Branstad knew instinctively what being governor entailed. A core duty is looking out for people when they most need help after a disaster. Branstad’s skill, and the skill of local officials, too, was on display in the summer of 1993 in the hours after one of the biggest natural disasters to hit Des Moines. Unfortunately, last week’s devastating storm through Iowa’s midsection showed that today’s state and local government leaders lack some of those instincts Branstad used effectively. Early in the morning of July 11, 1993, three days after torrential storms dumped 8 to 10 inches of rain northwest of Des Moines, the Raccoon River carried that water over the top of the levee surrounding the city’s water treatment plant.

opinion

Evans: Regrettably, Iowa Is On This U.S. Extreme

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Iowa is out of step with other states when it comes to a basic right — the right to vote in our elections, columnist Randy Evans writes in this opinion piece. For most of its history, Iowa has prohibited felons from voting.

bipartisan politics

News Quiz: Iowa’s Governors

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Former Iowa Gov. Robert Ray died July 8 at the age of 89. Ray, a Republican, was respected by people in his party and Democrats because of his bipartisan approach to governing. Test your knowledge on some of the other chief executives who have served the state during its history.

Iowa's mental health system

Iowans With Critical Mental Health Illness Struggle In System Called A ‘Crisis’ And ‘Failing Iowans’

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At first, Leslie Carpenter thought her son Patrick was on drugs. She was at home in Iowa City with her husband and about to go to bed when the phone rang. It was Patrick. “Mom, I died. I’ve been reborn,” the 19-year-old told her. “I’m God. We need to go, and I need you to take me to see Obama and Oprah because I need to save the world.”