THUMBS UP
The University of Iowa’s women’s basketball team, which reached the Final Four for the second straight season, has been a better unifier than any politician. Throughout the NCAA tournament, the stellar athletes have gotten great support from around the state. Even Iowa State fans have been cheering on the Hawkeyes.
THUMBS DOWN
The Nebraska Legislature’s Executive Board for opting for a lesser form of discipline for Hastings lawmaker Steve Halloran for inserting the names of several colleagues into his graphic description of a rape during a floor debate. Omaha Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh, one of the senators Halloran named in his reading, had filed a resolution calling for Halloran to be censured, formally accusing him of sexual harassment. Instead, the Executive Board, which handles disciplinary matters, voted 8-1 Wednesday to send Halloran a letter of reprimand.
People are also reading…
THUMBS DOWN
Iowa lawmakers might think twice about all those “consolidated power” bills they’re passing and signing. If their party isn’t the one calling the shots, they could find themselves on the “other” side of equation and they’ll wonder why anyone let these bills go through.
THUMBS UP
South Dakota Rep. Dusty Johnson for not blowing smoke up the backsides of around 100 Dakota Valley High School students while speaking to them this week. According to The Journal’s Jared McNett, Johnson told the students: "We're at a pretty fractured and toxic time in our country's history. I've never seen any really successful organizations have fear or anger as their foundation." The six-year congressman added, “It's a pretty tough environment out there, so you've got to be willing to take some punches, maybe throw some punches… I'm not much of a brawler. I sort of feel like our country is in need of more people like me than I realized, people who say: Hey, let's sit down. Let's cut a deal. Let's get this done." So, Congressman Johnson, let’s get this done.
THUMBS UP
Members of Sioux City Fire Rescue and the Sioux City Police Department engaged in a friendly competition the past few weeks to help feed needy families. Firefighters were awarded a trophy Tuesday for collecting the most canned goods in Leadership Siouxland's Heroes Against Hunger drive. Combined, the two departments also helped raise $256 in donations through Venmo, with the proceeds going to the Siouxland Soup Kitchen.