Editorial roundup ties murder and weather to state stalking law
The piece recalls the Friday murder of mail carrier Gloria Heising on a northeast side street and Ronald Downs Sr. in connection with her death. It notes lingering fear among residents and postal workers, then reports the Iowa Legislature is urged to make stalking a felony on first offense. Attorney General Bonnie Campbell backs the measure.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Gloria Heising
Ronald Downs Sr
Downs
Heising
Iowa
Bonnie Campbell
Stalking laws debated and prison growth noted
The column argues changing stalking to a felony won’t solve the problem or force more prosecutions. It cites deputy reluctance by authorities, suggests better self protection and victim support, and notes Iowa prison expansion under Governor Branstad. It compares the Cedar Rapids crime to weather, urging personal safety and possible future mental health solutions.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
David Letterman
Terry Branstad
Clarinda
Cedar Rapids
Remembering Iowa's brutal 1936 winter
Eastern Iowans recall the 1935-36 winter with extreme cold and heavy snowfall. A Cedar Rapids student trudged three miles in freezing temps, legs numb, yet returned to class after treatment. Emmetsburg hit 36 below as officials hope this winter won't match that record cold.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Wilson High School
Lillian Schminkey
Iowa
Emmetsburg
Iowa Lawyers Stand Proud Amid Public Scrutiny
A guest column defends Iowa lawyers and the state’s justice system against public stereotypes. It cites merit selection, client security funds, mandatory ethics education, and the Volunteer Lawyer Project as evidence of ethical practice and service to abuse victims and the broader community.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
American Bar Association
Iowa
VLP
Iowa Supreme Court
Iowa State Bar Association
End the Evil By Emphasizing Virtue And Public Safety
Opinion column argues fear and crime impair American life and warns against private security as a surrogate government. It urges more police, virtue education, and programs like a civilian corps to curb youth trouble and rebuild shared ethics, criticizing guiltless self-protection.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Nancy Kerrigan
America
Whitney Houston
Kevin Costner
U.S. News & World Report
U.S
Justice Department
Cassidy Senter
St. Louis
Clinton
Civilian Conservation Corps
Bill Bennett
Bennett
Washington
Newsday
King's life and impact on civil rights
A Cedar Rapids reader reflects on Martin Luther King Jr's role in civil rights, urges parents to educate children around his birthday with programs, and notes the tragedy of his assassination and the ongoing effects of racism.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Martin Luther King Jr
King
Target ranges for gender balance in university tenure
An op ed argues against fixed quotas for tenure based on gender. It favors using a mid-point gender ratio per field with a plus minus ten percent target range to guide faculty promotions, reducing stigma and allowing latitude in staff selection while avoiding credential watering down academic quality.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Simulta
Neously
Phil Cox
Cedar Rapids
Morris Plan stock vote questioned by Cedar Rapids reader
A local reader questions the Morris Plan development after a 75 to 80 percent vote. They ask why ballots were sent to Omaha, whether creditors committee members counted, and if ballots were discarded to favor the outcome. The letter warns officials may profit while workers receive little.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Omaha
Cedar Rapids
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Hladiky Jr
Doe Hladky Ill
Ken Slaughter
Dale Larson
Jerry Elsen
Cha Mark Bowden
Maraulies
Keith McKinley
of Osage
The
James Pinkerton
Washington Office
Manhattan Institute
the Gazette
Gail Nix
Morris Plan
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