Iowa Advocates Call for Reform in Foster Care System
Iowa activist Jackie Hammers-Crowell highlights that about 5 000 children live in foster care, with long stays and low graduation rates. She cites Pew Commission reforms, state actions, and national momentum, urging broader improvements to reduce entries and improve outcomes for abused and neglected children.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Own
Iowa
Washington
Chuck Grassley
Sean Kearney
Des Moines
Helen Clay
Grassley
Pew Commission On Children
Sive
Pew Commission
Congress
Jackie Hammers-Crowell
Iowa City
Iowa Foster and Adoptive Parent Association
Dandelions and Edamame Inspire Letters and Local Debate
Readers celebrate spring blooms and homemade dandelion dishes while critiquing local school funding and bond plans. The column touches on edamame in groceries, and questions about Linn County tax revenue distribution and school construction plans.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Linn County
First Prairie
Alburnett school bond vote faces new push May 2
Community concerns over finances and enrollment mark the Alburnett Community School District bid for a 2.4 million bond after a 2005 defeat of a larger proposal. Critics cite past spending, Toddville School sale, and payroll borrowing as context for the May 2 election.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Alburnett Community School District
Toddville
Toddville Kids
Alburnett
TouchPlay ban urged as a step forward in Iowa
Reader Beulah Wagner urges support for banning TouchPlay machines citing gambling concerns and revenue impact. She questions reliance on gambling, condemns discrimination, and stresses early education programs as vital for children, calling for community involvement to improve outcomes.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Iowa
Beulah Wagner
Cedar Rapids
Bush tied to smear campaign and CIA cover blow tactic
The text accuses George W. Bush of authorizing a smear campaign that included exposing a CIA agent married to Joseph Wilson to retaliate against Wilson over war claims. It portrays the act as dangerous abuse of presidential power and questions fitness for office.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
George W. Bush
CIA
America
Joe Wilson
Bush
Wilson
United States
Shel Berlatsky
Cedar Rapids
Mass patriotism messages warned as manipulation
The piece warns against mass patriotic messaging used by regimes in Russia and China to mold public opinion. It highlights red symbolism, social conformity, and the risk of division and untraceable online campaigns that steer people away from core values.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Russia
China
Early childhood education worthy of your support
The piece argues for valuing early childhood education citing 35 million children under eight and the critical role of parents teachers and caregivers. It notes working families rely on child care and that high quality programs provide lasting benefits to children and society.
Wake up and vote in next election
A political letter urges voters to participate in the upcoming election. It targets past Republican voters and criticizes Sen. John McCain and Rep. Jim Nussle, calling them kiss-ups to George W. Bush and urging informed voting despite time constraints.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
John McCain
R-Ariz
Jim Nussle
Iowa
George W. Bush
McCain
Kadima victory sparks questions on Hamas talks and peace
The text ponders whether Hamas and its supporters might engage with Kadima and restart efforts toward a reasonable settlement. It considers if voters will accept a smaller vision of Israel and whether Palestinians will pursue a lasting accord rather than terrorism, shifting burden to both sides.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Kadima
Hamas
Israel
Also Mentioned on This Page
Crowell
Rich Patterson
Lowa
Gazette
Japan
Iraq
Iran
Tracy Anderson
Dennis Barrier
Gan Israel
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