Iowa official Watkins removal overturned by high court
The Gazette editorial argues Watkins, Van Buren County Attorney since 2014, allowed private practice at home and hired family. court actions followed but the Iowa Supreme Court reversed removal, citing no willful evil purpose. The piece calls for transparency and gender balance in courts and government.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Watkins
van Buren
van Buren County
Towa Supreme Court
Bruce Zager
Lowa
Zager
Thomas Waterman
Edward Mansfield
Brent Appel
Iowa Senate
Americans own half the world guns in civilian hands
A June 19 Gazette Community Letters notes Americans hold nearly half of the world’s civilian firearms and argues freedom is highest in the United States. The letter asks readers to identify politicians who will preserve freedom versus those who would chip it away, likening it to an ice pick chipping ice.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
America
Trump Country critique and Cedar Rapids road woes letter
A reader laments shifts under Trump rule detailing deregulation and perceived harms from policy moves including family separations and agency funding risks. The letter contrasts past protections with current governance and calls for truth and policy focus, then another citizen questions Cedar Rapids road conditions as a city priority.
Trump campaign uses border issue to pressure Democrats
Froma Harrop argues Trump leverages immigration to pressure Democrats while media and social discourse amplify fringe views. She asserts ICE enforces laws, not policy, and urges Democratic leaders to push humane but lawful immigration reform rather than abolition.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Senate
Chuck Schumer
House
Nancy Pelosi
Trump
Smoking law aging poorly in Iowa policy debate
Public health advocates push Iowa Smoke-free Air Act as failing to show clear long term benefits. Newer studies question secondhand smoke risks and link reductions to pre existing trends, while opponents warn of overreach and personal freedom limits. Future bans in parks and vaping products face renewed scrutiny amid uncertain evidence.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Iowa
Chet Culver
Towans
Owa
Journal of the
National Cancer Institute
American Journal of Medicine
American Nonsmokers’ Rights Foundation
Cedar Rapids
Iowa City
Also Mentioned on This Page
the Gazette
Abraham Watkins
Mark Cady
Daryl Hecht
David Wiggins
Cady
Iowa Supreme Court
Kim Reynolds
Appli
Thegazette.com
Community Letters
FBI
CIA
Trump Country
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
Trump Land
Marie Belle Kelly
Norway
C.R
Facebook
Stella Liver
Michael Ramirez
Creators Syndicate
Creators.com
Froma Harrop
Minnesota
Keith Ellison
Ellison
Donald
Kent
Barack Obama
Obama
U.S
ICE
I CE
Internal Revenue Service
IRS
Froma Hatrop
Creators
AT Liberty
Adam Sullivan
Adam.sullivan
Thegazette
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