State Historical Society of Iowa Preserves Deep Past
The State Historical Society of Iowa, founded in 1857, preserves a rich archive from pioneer days to the 21st century. It granted 1.1 million dollars last year for historical resources and restoration, including 250 thousand for tornado-damaged properties in Iowa City, and continues to collect, protect, and promote Iowa history statewide.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
State Historical Society
Iowa City
Iowa
North America
Louis Jollet
Jacques Marquette
France
Toric
Old Capitol
Des Moines
Witnesses to executions weigh in on punishment and humanity
Letter writers discuss capital punishment with personal recollections of the Saddam Hussein video and the Edward Beckwith hanging. They debate humane methods, acknowledge differing views, and call for safer public access to theaters after snow and ice hazards in Cedar Rapids.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Kathleen Parker
Gazette
Saddam Hussein
Kathleen
Edward J
Buddy” Beckwith
Fort Madison
Beckwith
Parker
Hussein
Robert M. L. Johnson
Cedar Rapids
Lowa
OtHe
Commercial dampens Iowa fight song enthusiasm
Bernice Lewis of Iowa City laments that repeated television promotions have stripped the University of Iowa fight song of its former meaning for sports fans. She says the promotional spots mock a once spirited tune.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Iowa
University of Iowa
Bernice Lewis
Iowa City
Fair-share fee debate ties to right to work law
Letter writer argues against a required union contribution by labeling it window dressing and warns lawmakers against altering Iowa’s Right to Work law. The note, signed by Rich Zeis and Dolores Sucho, questions political motives and calls for protecting lives over partisan aims.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Iowa
Rich Zeis Walker
Debate over embryonic research and stem cell ethics
A letter argues that cord blood and related stem cell research offer medical benefits without destroying life. It asserts embryonic research harms a live embryo, equates it with murder, and says moral concerns conflict with government funding bans and cloning debates.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Bush
Cedar Rapids Parents Back Penny Tax for School Safety
A local family urges voters to approve a penny sales tax on February 13 to fund safer schools. They cite five years of residency, three children, strong education results, boiler and heating upgrades, and energy efficiency through modern technology.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Cedar Rapids
Bentley trial costs questioned by reader
A reader criticizes the $87,229.45 spent on the Roger Bentley case as excessive and condemns public funds used in the trial. The note cites the Gazette front page and mentions victim Jessera Gage and Scott County where the trial occurred.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Bentley Brothers
The
Gazette
Roger Bentley
Kmart
Roger
Jessera Gage
Scott County
Right to Work Debate in Iowa Sparks Union Fees Talk
A reader voices strong opposition to compulsion to join unions and fears Iowa's Right to Work law being weakened. They oppose any mandatory membership and mention potential proposals for a participation fee as a middle ground.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Iowa
Statewide Tax Shuffle Threatens Local Sales Tax Plans
In Iowa Linn and Johnson counties voters weigh local option sales taxes for schools. Senate Education Budget Chair Frank Wood says any local tax could be taken by the state to fund schools statewide, jeopardizing Cedar Rapids plans and leaving districts with only a fraction of revenues. Mark Rushton voices opposition.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Iowa
Linn
Johnson
Senate Education Budget Committee
Frank Wood
Cedar Rapids
Mark Rushton
Insensitivity exposes liberal lines on Israel and war talk
The piece argues liberal figures Clark and Yglesias face backlash for comments about Jews and war with Iran. It notes anti Semitic stereotypes persist, defends some arguments as factual yet cautions on delivery. It questions who profits from fear and urges careful use of facts.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Esley Clark
United States
Tran
Arianna Huffington
New York
Clark
Charles Lindbergh
Ignatius Donnelly
Anti-Defamation League
United Nations
Israel
League
Abraham Foxman
Lke Foxman
American Prospect
Matthew Yglesias
Liberal Rescue Party
Yglesias
Coalition of the Oppressed
Harvard
Lawrence Summers
Pat Buchanan
Virginia
Buchanan
Iran
Iraq
Khobar Towers
Saudi Arabia
America
Also Mentioned on This Page
the Gazette
Linn County
Green Square
Steve Cecak
Dolores Sucho
Mount Vernon
Sunrpunck Biot
Bentley
Jonah Goldberg
Tribune Media Services
Wesley Clark
This is just the beginning! Our collection holds over 300 years of history, including rare newspapers, obituaries, marriage records, birth records, and so much more—most of which you won’t find anywhere else!