OSKALOOSA, Iowa — The June 10 Oskaloosa School Board meeting not only resulted in the appointment of Sharma Parlett to a vacant seat but also ignited concerns about how public boards interact with their constituents, particularly regarding free speech, transparency, and the use of power. During the meeting, a warning was issued at the start […]
OSKALOOSA, Iowa — Sharma Parlett was appointed to the Oskaloosa Community School District Board of Directors Tuesday night in a 4-2 vote, following a public meeting marked by passionate support for Superintendent Mike Fisher and pointed remarks from board leadership that raised legal and ethical concerns. Parlett was one of six applicants for the vacancy […]
DES MOINES, Iowa (June 9, 2025) – Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig commented on the Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report released by the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service. The report is released weekly April through November. Additionally, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship provides a weather summary each week during this […]
by Cami Koons, Iowa Capital Dispatch June 7, 2025 ANKENY — Iowa Farmers Union members met Saturday with U.S. Federal Trade Commissioner Alvaro Bedoya and explained how consolidation in the agriculture industry has crippled their farming operations and rural communities. Bedoya, who visited with Iowa farmers three years prior, said it was important to come […]
OSKALOOSA, Iowa – When Oskaloosa High School junior Kara Harman joined the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) chapter on a friend’s invitation, she had no idea it would lead her to the state boardroom. Now, as District 5 Vice President for Iowa FBLA, she’s now representing students from schools across southeast Iowa, and continuing […]
by Senator Adrian Dickey This is the last edition of the Dickey Dispatch for the 2025 legislative session. Last week I was honored to have been asked to speak to the National Guard unit in Mount Pleasant at their deployment ceremony. What an honor that was to speak to these GREAT men and women as […]
MAHASKA COUNTY, Iowa – After nearly 40 years of planning, advocacy, and perseverance, the long-anticipated Southeast Connector is finally becoming a reality in Mahaska County. Local, state, and federal leaders gathered to break ground on the major infrastructure project, which promises to improve safety, stimulate economic growth, and relieve congestion in Oskaloosa’s downtown. The Southeast […]
by Cami Koons, Iowa Capital Dispatch June 4, 2025 Despite an ongoing trade war and low profitability the past two years, pork industry leaders and producers at the World Pork Expo in Des Moines said Wednesday they are optimistic about the year. Lee Schulz, chief economist for Ever.Ag, said 2025 could be the “quickest turnaround in […]
OSKALOOSA — The Mahaska County Board of Supervisors convened for its regular meeting on Monday, June 2, 2025, with a full agenda that reflected an ongoing commitment to improving public infrastructure, enhancing administrative tools, and supporting economic development across the county. The meeting opened with standard procedural actions, including approval of the agenda, minutes from […]
OSKALOOSA, Iowa — The Oskaloosa City Council convened on June 3, 2025, for its regular meeting, during which key infrastructure items and a significant council appointment were addressed. Following the recent resignation of Charlie Comfort, the council voted to appoint Andy Holmberg to fill the at-large vacancy. Holmberg was selected from a field of interested […]
