Opinion

LETTER: Consider donating to Monticello Give to Grow Fund

Published by admin on Fri, 10/17/2025 - 12:22pm

Monticello continues to thrive thanks to the generosity and community support of those who believe in investing locally.  The Monticello Give to Grow Endowment Fund has made strong progress — fully capturing a financial gift from an anonymous donor — and continues to grow through the support of individuals, families, and businesses who care about our community’s future.

LETTER: Monticello’s main street worth investing in

Published by admin on Fri, 10/17/2025 - 12:21pm

Moving to Monticello has been great! I love the variety that our Main Street has to offer. Lots of options for clothing, new or second hand. Multiple options for coffee and a quick bite as well. I absolutely adore the public library. 

I can’t wait to see what Monticello Main Street has to offer for the continued future. Please support Monticello Main Street’s Pledge!

Shonna Zuber
    Monticello

Thank you, Monticello, for the memories

Published by admin on Fri, 10/17/2025 - 12:20pm

A pale, blue two-story house still stands on North Main Street. It’s the same one that appeared in my dream – in vivid detail – a few nights ago. So real was the dream that it woke me up in the middle of the night, flooding me with memories of my childhood and making it difficult to fall back into a slumber. 

As a Maquoketan, I admit Monticello holds a special little place in my heart. 

Monticello schools scored by state

Published by admin on Fri, 10/17/2025 - 12:19pm

On Sept. 18, the Iowa Department of Education released the 2025 Iowa School Performance Profiles for all public schools in Iowa. These profiles are showcased on the website iaschoolperformance.gov and are available for the public to view. 

The purpose of these profiles is to meet the federal and state requirements for publishing online report cards for public schools per the federal Every Student Succeeds Act and House File 215.

Leaving more questions than answers educates no one

Published by admin on Fri, 10/17/2025 - 12:18pm

I spoke to two groups in recent weeks, and people at both gatherings wanted to know about the work of the organization I lead, the Iowa Freedom of Information Council. 

If I had known then what I know now, I could have been more effective. I could have advised them to wait a week or two and watch the news surrounding the arrest of Ian Roberts, superintendent of the Des Moines Public Schools since 2023, for an illustration of how secrecy breeds distrust.

Letter: Some Monticello news not appearing in paper

Published by admin on Wed, 10/08/2025 - 1:25pm

To the editor,

Since the change in management of the Express, it seems we are getting more and more Anamosa news and less and less Monticello generated news. There are stories out there that need reporting locally, but we don’t hear anything about them. 

Letter: Time to sign up to volunteer for or receive community Thanksgiving meal

Published by admin on Wed, 10/08/2025 - 1:25pm

To the editor,

POLITICAL VOICES: Iowa Republicans focused on practical solutions to rural health care problems

Published by admin on Wed, 10/08/2025 - 1:24pm

I have spent decades in health care, both in clinical settings and in policymaking, and one thing has become crystal clear to me: the best solutions for rural Iowa’s health care challenges come from Des Moines – not Washington, DC.

POLITICAL VOICES: Good health care policy isn’t fixing things that aren’t broken

Published by admin on Wed, 10/08/2025 - 1:22pm

 

A cardinal rule as elected officials is not to break things – as in, if it isn’t broken, don’t “fix” it – not unlike the medical profession’s Hippocratic oath: first, do no harm.

Our state faces multiple self-inflicted healthcare crises that result from ignoring that rule.

 We have the second highest cancer rate in the nation and are one of just two states with a rising rate of new cancers.

Urgent Policy Action Needed to Keep U.S. Soybean Farmers Competitive

Published by admin on Wed, 10/08/2025 - 1:10pm

 

Oct. 2 marked the six-month anniversary of Trade Liberation Day. Milestones are often worthy of celebration, but here in Harper, Iowa, where I’ve farmed for more than 40 years, there’s little cause for cheer.

 The mood in rural Iowa — and across much of farm country — is one of anxiousness and frustration. Normally, those feelings are tied to weather delays that slow harvest.

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