Latest news with #Iowan
Boston Globe
14 hours ago
- Business
- Boston Globe
To farmers beset by his policies, Trump is still the salt of the earth
Advertisement A fulsome debate on energy, regulations, and taxes is essential, but the current Congress and administration seem incapable of delivering such a debate. Rather, we seem to be paddling full speed toward the lip of the dam trusting more in ideology than in common sense. Get The Gavel A weekly SCOTUS explainer newsletter by columnist Kimberly Atkins Stohr. Enter Email Sign Up Tom Ford West Falmouth But not to worry — subsidies will soften the blow of Trump's tariffs Tim Keegan suggests toward the end of his op-ed, 'I'm a farmer, and I back Trump's tariffs even if they will hurt me,' that he is not, in fact, going to be hurt by Donald Trump's tariffs because he expects to receive 'trade interruption payments' that will shield him from financial harm. So, what was the point of running this opinion piece when its entire premise is faulty? Does Keegan care about the harm Trump's tariffs will cause those of us who are not going to be compensated, who will lose jobs because of reduced demand for products due to price increases, or whose small businesses will be forced to close? Whatever happens, Keegan will get his. The rest of us are on our own. Advertisement Roy Pardi Somerville These Trump supporters earn no sympathy The Vermont dairy farmer seemingly assumed that deportations would address our 'border problem' by weeding out the 'bad people.' Now he's shocked that he and his business might suffer because of Trump. The Iowan, meanwhile, is confident that he will be bailed out by a big government subsidy. Indeed, the current House budget bill has proposed increasing farm subsidies by about $50 billion over the next 10 years. I grew up on an Iowa farm, and I know the challenges they face. But I also know the safety net that has held up Iowa agriculture for decades. The farmers have their (corn) cake and eat it too. Tobin Wirt Sandwich They were sold a bill of goods Vermont dairy farmer Dustin Machia says he voted for Donald Trump for president last year in part because 'we had a border problem. ... We don't need the drugs and the gangbangers.' Now he feels misled because he was under the impression that 'they weren't going to come on farms and take our guys.' Advertisement Yes, I would tell Machia, you were misled, but it was by right-wing media that told you a) to fear immigrant crime and b) that Trump would make you better off. Mark Hooker Newton Highlands
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Lieutenant Governor Chris Cournoyer formally launches campaign for state auditor in 2026
Iowa Lieutenant Gov. Chris Cournoyer formally announced that she will run for state auditor in 2026. 'As Iowa continues to cut taxes and streamline government, the auditor's office must lead by example and serve as a true watchdog for the taxpayer — not a political weapon,' Cournoyer said in a statement shared first with the Des Moines Register. 'It's time for an auditor who prioritizes transparency, efficiency and results over headlines and partisanship.' Cournoyer, a Republican, had previously signaled her intention to seek the office when she filed the necessary paperwork for an auditor campaign with the Iowa Ethics and Campaign Disclosure Board. Iowa's auditor often serves in a "watchdog" role by auditing finances within state government to guard against abuse of taxpayer dollars. The position is currently held by Iowa's only statewide elected Democrat, Rob Sand. But Sand is expected to launch a gubernatorial bid, potentially leaving an open seat in 2026. More: Will they run for Iowa governor in 2026? Our early handicap of 10 potential GOP candidates In a release, Cournoyer said she would focus on bringing nonpartisan transparency, efficiency and technology-driven solutions to the role. She said she would work to help integrate AI into the auditing process and implement recommendations from the governor's DOGE, or Department of Government Efficiency, task force. 'The people of Iowa deserve an Auditor who will protect their dollars, keep politics out of the office, and bring a business-minded, results-oriented approach to every audit,' she said. 'That's exactly what I intend to deliver.' Cournoyer was tapped by Reynolds to become her lieutenant governor in December 2024 after her then-second-in-command, Adam Gregg, left the post. Her appointment made Iowa one of only a few states in the country to have ever had women concurrently serving as governor and lieutenant governor. At the time, Cournoyer was serving a second term in the Iowa Senate, and she resigned her seat to serve alongside the governor. When Reynolds announced her pick for lieutenant governor, she touted Cournoyer's "doer" mentality and competitive instincts, as well as her background in education and technology. She reiterated her support for Cournoyer as she enters the auditor's race. "For the same reasons I selected Chris Cournoyer to serve alongside me as lieutenant governor, I'm proud to endorse her to be Iowa's next state auditor," Reynolds said in a statement. "Chris is a true fiscal conservative with a strong record of improving government efficiencies and accountability. Her background in technology and her unwavering commitment to taxpayers makes her an ideal watchdog every Iowan can trust. Iowans can rest assured Chris Cournoyer will always have their best interests at heart.' In the Senate, Cournoyer was the vice chair of the State Government Committee, where she helped lead Reynolds' effort to reorganize and consolidate state government and Iowa's hundreds of state boards and commissions. She took the lead in the Senate on a law Reynolds signed that eliminated dozens of state boards and commissions. And she served as a member of a new board created by that law: The State Government Efficiency Review Committee. More: How a 'computer nerd' and substitute teacher earned her spot as Iowa's lieutenant governor Cournoyer previously told the Des Moines Register she first entered politics after the Sandy Hook school shooting in 2012. Her twin boys were first graders at the time — the same age as some of the victims. She wanted to know what their school was doing to enhance safety measures, but she couldn't get an answer from her local school board representative. So she decided to run against him and ultimately won the seat. Cournoyer later was elected school board president and served for two years before she was approached to run for the state Senate. She has also worked as a reserve sheriff deputy and has run a business as an independent website designer and developer. (This story has been updated to include additional information.) Brianne Pfannenstiel is the chief politics reporter for the Des Moines Register. Reach her at bpfann@ or 515-284-8244. Follow her on X at @brianneDMR. This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Lieutenant Governor Chris Cournoyer announces 2026 auditor campaign
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Protesters wait outside Rep. Miller-Meeks' event in Davenport
There were contrasting emotions in and around Rhythm City Casino Thursday morning. Congressman Jim Jordan, R.-Ohio, joined congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks and her supporters for a reception and discussed president Trump's recent 'One Big Beautiful Bill,' a piece of legislation that passed through the House of Representatives. 'We just want to make sure she wins, and she is going to. She is a great candidate, but we are here just to help,' Jordan said.'There are provisions in (the One Big Beautiful Bill) for every Iowan and every American, and there are provisions that strengthen and preserve Medicaid,' Miller-Meeks said. Outside of Rhythm City, however, some of Miller-Meeks' constituents were not happy. 'Care about your voters, care about people who aren't voters,' said Tracy Jones, one of the protesters. '(Miller-Meeks) doesn't want to be held under the microscope for her terrible decisions, and it's wrong. Protesters were upset with Rep. Miller-Meeks for not holding a townhall meeting and supporting trump's One Big Beautiful Bill, which includes significant cuts to Medicaid and SNAP. 'Who would vote to take food from children? That's not a good person,' Jones said. 'When you are in Congress, you are supposed to be the voice of the people that put you there, and they deserve to have answers on what you are doing,' said Travis Terrell, a Democratic candidate for Rep. Miller-Meeks' 1st Congressional District seat. Rep. Miller-Meeks, though, feels as if she is doing just that. 'We are absolutely voting in (the constituents') best interest because we voted to preserve and strengthen Medicaid,' Miller-Meeks said. 'Had we not done that, the trajectory of Medicaid spending is unsustainable.' Protesters, however, said they wanted more transparency. 'If you are scared to be transparent with your constituents, it's because you know you betrayed them,' Terrell said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
USA Today
2 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
On this day: Raef LaFrentz born; Tom Boswell drafted; Jayson Tatum wins '23 ECF MVP
On this day: Raef LaFrentz born; Tom Boswell drafted; Jayson Tatum wins '23 ECF MVP On this day, the Boston Celtics selected two players of note in the 1975 NBA draft. The first was Jerome Anderson, a 6-foot-5 shooting guard out of the University of West Virginia, who was taken with the 53rd pick. The Mullens, West Virginia, native won a championship with the Celtics in his lone season with the team (1975-76). Anderson recorded 2.8 points, 0.6 rebounds and 0.3 assists per game over 5.7 minutes per game in his rookie season. Anderson's tenure in the league was not an especially long one, however. He failed to stick with the team beyond that season. In October 1976, he was waived and picked up by the Indiana Pacers, his final stop in the NBA. Boston drafted power forward Tom Boswell, a 6-foot-9 big man out of South Carolina, with the 17th pick. Boswell also won a ring with the Celtics at the end of the 1975-76 season and played three seasons with the team. It is also the birthday of former Celtic big man Raef LaFrentz, who was born in Hampton, Iowa, in 1976. The Iowan came from the Dallas Mavericks to Boston in a deal with Chris Mills, Jiri Welsch, and draft assets in exchange for Tony Delk and Antoine Walker. LaFrentz was with the Celtics for three seasons (2003-2006), averaging 9.2 points, 5.8 points and 1.3 assists per contest. He was dealt to the Portland Trail Blazers with Dan Dickau and Randy Foye for Theo Ratliff, Sebastian Telfair and draft considerations. Finally, it is also the anniversary of Jayson Tatum winning the first Larry Bird Eastern Conference finals Most Valuable Player award, coming after dispatching the Miami Heat, 100-96, in Game 7. "It's an honor," said Tatum postgame via ESPN's Nick Friedell. "It still doesn't even seem real right now. I'm just extremely happy and grateful for all of this." "Regardless of how long I've been in the league, I'm not too far removed from when I was in high school and when I was dreaming about moments like this."
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Families part ways with 1,800 Iowa soldiers at deployment send-off ceremonies
WEST DES MOINES, Iowa –Thousands are gathering this week at community send-offs for Iowa National Guard soldiers. 1,800 soldiers from Iowa will be deploying to the Middle East to partake in Operation Inherent Resolve, a mission to defeat ISIS. This is Iowa's largest deployment since 2010. The ceremony at West Des Moines Readiness Center Thursday afternoon had 214 troops who were honored before heading out on this 12-month assignment. This send-off is just one of 24 happening this week across the state. The crowds were full of friends and family, including many Blue Star Mothers of America Iowa. The group is made up of moms, grandmas, parent figures, etc. This support group has been crucial for many loved ones, because the sendoff, and thereafter, is never easy. Construction is halfway complete on new Des Moines airport terminal 'I think the hardest one for me was when you could hear the children in the crowd going, oh, there's my dad. Not fully understanding that at the end of the ceremony you're getting in the car and dad isn't,' Blue Star Mothers Iowa spokesperson April Conway said. 'And all of these ceremonies all across the state, we are trying to make sure that Blue Star Moms will be there to offer a hug. We've ordered 400 packages of Kleenex to bring with us because we know what it's like, but we also know what it's going to be like when you go home. I want every spouse and child and mother and friend and sister to know that when you get home, it's okay to cry. Fear is a natural thing that comes with deployment. Just keep in mind the joy that you're going to feel when that coming home ceremony gets here. And we'll be there for that one, too.' This year, Blue Star Mothers Iowa will be sending 2,500 care packages to every single Iowan that is deployed later this year for the holidays. If you'd like to donate or want more information, you can visit their website. They also want you to know, if you need support, you can message them on Facebook and a mother will answer within an hour. 'It takes a village. And even though these deploying soldiers are not our own flesh and blood, they're our Iowa family,' Conway said. 'While they're gone, we want to be able to stand in the gap for their families that are left behind. Because, you know, in a week, life does go on. And the community, they will move on with their own lives. But for these family members left behind, the next 12 months are going to feel a lot longer than 12 months, and we're going to be there for them to help carry them through it.' Iowa News: Forecast: Thursday raindrops, then heat Gov. Kim Reynolds signs bill aimed at growing rural hospital workforces Families part ways with 1,800 Iowa soldiers at deployment send-off ceremonies Funnel clouds reported in Iowa today Pella Middle School teacher earns Golden Apple Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
