Q: What is the new national number for poison centers across the country?
A: No matter where you live in the United States, Americans now are able to access a life-saving resource toll-free by calling 1-800-222-1222. Regardless from where you call, Iowans using the poison hotline will be routed to the nearest local poison control center. For 24 hours a day,...
For many years, a number of farmers, gardeners and homeowners across the United States has used a by-product of treated sewage as a soil-conditioning agent to fertilize property. The waste-treatment residue commonly called sludge or biosolids cuts down on fertilizing costs for the landowner. When used to treat soil, it also benefits public waste treatment...
In American society, consumers want it bigger, better and faster. Super-sized portions at restaurants are the norm not the exception. By and large when it comes to diet and exercise, too many folks cave in to impatience and an underlying need for comfort, convenience and instant gratification.
Factor in demanding work schedules, longer commutes and hectic...
Q: Is it true a federal appeals court ruled the Pledge of Allegiance unconstitutional?
A: In an outrageous decision handed down by the Ninth Circuit Court based in San Francisco, a three-judge panel in June indeed ruled the Pledge of Allegiance was unconstitutional. If the ruling were allowed to stand, public school students in nine western states covered by...
Q: How is Iowa faring in its struggle against methamphetamine?
A: For most of the last decade, Iowa authorities have struggled to stay on top of the devastating consequences wrought by the dangerous, addictive stimulant called methamphetamine. The illegal drug, which can be smoked, snorted, swallowed or injected, is easy to make, affordable to buy and...
The clean-up and recovery effort at Ground Zero in lower Manhattan ended nearly nine months after suicide hijackers crashed into the World Trade Center on Sept. 11. The terrorist attacks stunned America and the rest of the world, killing almost 2,800 people in New York City and hundreds more at the Pentagon and aboard a downed airplane in rural Pennsylvania....
Q: What is the 'Phoenix memo?'
A: The controversial memorandum was written last summer in advance of Sept. 11 by an FBI field agent based in the Phoenix, Arizona office. The field agent wrote to his superiors warning them Middle Eastern men that were associated with a radical Islamic group and tied to Osama Bin Laden were taking aviation courses in Arizona....
As farmers wrap up spring planting, consider how strange the landscape would look to 'windshield farmers' if just every other row was planted. While the mental picture may seem odd, it helps illustrate how critical farm exports are to Iowa farmers. That’s about how many soybean acres end up in overseas markets. Meanwhile, Iowa’s livestock producers export...
Q: What is the Moment of Remembrance?
A: By an act of Congress, the National Moment of Remembrance was enacted in December 2000 to help increase public awareness about the intent and meaning behind the federal holiday known as Memorial Day. The long holiday weekend at the end of May often signals the unofficial beginning of the summer season. A group of...
What is the first thing that comes to mind upon hearing the phrase 'senior citizen?' The stereotypical link to this label less frequently matches the 21st century older American. Today’s over-65 crowd differs from their predecessors at the turn of the last century. Yet we often hear or use phrases like 'senior citizen' or the 'graying of America' to describe...
Q: Why is the IRS recruiting citizen volunteers?
A: A 1998 law overhauling the Internal Revenue Service requires the solicitation and input of citizens from across the United States to provide advice regarding the operations of the federal tax collecting agency. The landmark law restructured the IRS for the first time since the Eisenhower administration to...
Despite what many are calling a 'victory' for family farmers, the new six-year farm bill that’s headed for the president’s desk may well sound the death knell for small and mid-sized family farms and independent livestock producers. And it even may very well be the last farm bill to grind its way through Washington.
Proponents hail the measure as a farm...
Q: What is Victims’ Rights Week?
A: Since Sept. 11, a sharpened concern for public safety and the security of family and friends understandably has swept across the country. The criminal terrorist attacks committed with hi-jacked commercial airliners gave rise to increased fears and paranoia among many Americans regarding their own personal safety and their...
In a free society, entrepreneurs with a good idea can work hard to make it big in the marketplace. Likewise, consumers can make it or break it for them with the freedom to choose where and how they spend their money. Voters pick which direction they'd like to see their democracy go by giving public office seekers a thumbs up or down at the ballot box. The...
Q: How will Iraq’s announcement that it plans to suspend oil sales for 30 days affect summertime gas prices?
A: For those who wonder why the United States needs a long-term energy strategy that focuses on pumping up domestic production and homegrown renewable fuels, the Iraqi dictator once again rears his head to make it crystal clear. Our nation’s...
As Tax Day looms large for millions of Americans, those who skirt their tax obligations and the peddlers who aid and abet this unpatriotic class of tax evaders are forcing honest taxpayers to pick up the slack and shortchanging their home country.
As the top Republican on the Senate Finance Committee, which holds legislative and oversight responsibilities...
Every Iowan is a stakeholder when it comes to developing a responsible, stable and long-term energy policy. Since September 11, it’s obvious how important it is to enhance our energy independence. Energy security is a top priority. We can’t afford our dangerous reliance on foreign sources of oil with unstable regimes in the Middle East.
Energy shortages in...
Every Iowan is a stakeholder when it comes to developing a responsible, stable and long-term energy policy. Since September 11, it’s obvious how important it is to enhance our energy independence. Energy security is a top priority. We can’t afford our dangerous reliance on foreign sources of oil with unstable regimes in the Middle East.
Energy shortages in...
Fresh documentation compiled by congressional investigators shows physical and sexual abuse victimizing the U.S. nursing home population is not reported promptly to the proper authorities and rarely is prosecuted.
Revolting details of criminal abuse by fellow residents and nursing home employees was uncovered during an 18-month investigation by the General...
Q: Which line on the basic 2001 tax form is causing problems with some filers?
A: The IRS says many early filers have made an error regarding the only new line on the standard federal income tax forms: Line 47 of Form 1040; Line 30 of Form 1040A; or Line 7 of Form 1040EZ. Called the Rate Reduction Credit, the line applies to those taxpayers who did not...
