Rockland County Times · West Burlington, IA
VA SITREP – Automation Growing Pains, Facility Expansions, Dental Care Push, and Mortgage Advantage If you have spent any time talking shop at any of the veteran organizations across Rockland County, you know that navigating the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) landscape is often a moving target. Rules change fast, programs evolve with little notice, and staying on top of important matters requires continuous oversight. This week’s article is all about some of the emerging news from the VA, including updates on the challenges that are emerging from the VA claims process, clinic expansions, the push for VA dental care, and the financial advantage of the VA home loan. The Automation Dilemma: Faster Processing vs Evidence Errors With the VA’s ongoing push to modernize their claims processing with digital automation, there are a growing number of evidence collection errors identified during higher level reviews.
The Pocahontas Times · Hillsboro, IA
Nearby: Hillsboro, IAState Treasurer Larry Pack was in Pocahontas County last Wednesday where he presented more than $4,000 in unclaimed property funds to the Town of Hillsboro. “Unclaimed property belongs in the hands of rightful owners and we’re proud to return these funds to the Town of Hillsboro,” Pack said. “Whether it’s a small business, a local… Read the full story
Southeast Iowa Union · Washington, IA
Nearby: Washington, IAWASHINGTON— Over 100 attendees experienced a one-night-only Grant Wood Pop-Up gallery and presentation at the Washington Public Library on Saturday, Nov. 7.This event, put on by the library and Main Street Washington, served as a chance to view rare and early works of famed Iowa artist Grant Wood who gained notoriety after painting American Gothic in 1930. Mike Zahs gives a presentation about Grant Wood to a crowd at the Washington Public Library on Nov. 7, 2026. Giovanni Coronel/The Union “We had over 60 people show up for this first session. Another 25 plus for the second session, last I looked.” said Sally Hart, Library Foundation Board member.
The Hudson Herald · Washington, IA
Nearby: Washington, IASoo Line by Soo GreimanIt’s been four years since two local veterans took part in an Honor Flight that departed Waterloo’s airport Sept. 22, 2022, but both are still talking about the amazing experience they enjoyed. For many, the trip was the first opportunity they had to visit the memorials in our nation’s capital that were built in their honor. Others discovered the rousing welcome-home celebration they received sharply contrasted with the disrespectful moments they’d been subjected to years before as young soldiers.Among the veterans aboard the jet headed to Washington, D.C., early that September morning were friends Dave Rousselow and Dalton Uhde, classmates who had grown up together at Orange School.
Hometown Current · Washington, IA
Nearby: Washington, IAIowa has spoken. We are tired of being defined by political parties. We are Americans and Iowans who deserve to be respected, represented, and heard.Iowans are exhausted by partisan rhetoric, political division, and the unwillingness to work together. The support for Ashley Hinson and Zach Lahn alongside the election of governor-elect Rob Sand suggests that some Republican voters also supported Rob Sand.Voters are not always defined by party labels.As an Iowan, I regret voting for President Trump in 2016. I hoped his business background would bring a fresh perspective to Washington, reduce division, and encourage cooperation. That is not what I witnessed.Iowa’s currant senators have equally disappointed.
Out · Washington, IA
Nearby: Washington, IAThis story originally appeared on The Advocate. Isaac James took in last week’s election results from a bar in Washington, D.C. The victories of pro-LGBTQ+ candidates across the United States struck him as more than cause for excitement. “It felt like a vindication,” he told The Advocate. That’s because James spent months coordinating a voter outreach campaign as executive director of OutVote, a group founded in 2024 to strengthen voting among LGBTQ+ young people. His team organized meetups and campaigns nationwide, focusing on swing districts in Iowa, Michigan, and North Carolina. “We had a big watch party with a lot of OutVote supporters in D.C. Over 100 people joined us,” James said. “The excitement, I hadn’t seen anything like that. It felt like something I’d been waiting for for a long time.” During the November 3 general election, pro-LGBTQ+ candidates won in each race. Christina Bohannan claimed victory in Iowa’s 1st congressional district.
Highlands Current · Fairfield, IA
Nearby: Fairfield, IARobert Neal Rathe, 84, died Oct. 31. He met his future wife, Adelle Glick, in fourth grade at Haldane Elementary in Cold Spring. Robert was born Jan. 11, 1942, in Manhattan, the son of Ethel and Fred Rathe of New York City and Cold Spring. He attended the University of Vermont and Parsons College in Fairfield, Iowa. He took over the family display business in 1964 and, with his brother, Rick, grew Rathe Productions into an international design firm known for the Dinosaur Halls at the American Museum of Natural History and exhibitions for the Ellis Island and Statue of Liberty museums, as well as World’s Fairs. Robert also created and co-owned the iconic Gotham Bar and Grill in New York City. He was a race car driver, car collector, foodie, chef, world traveler and backgammon player. He lived on his own terms, pursuing every passion with fearless curiosity, his family said. He married Adelle, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Nathan Glick, on Aug. 26, 1965, at the Beacon Hebrew Temple.