opinion

Evans: First Amendment Deserves Our Respect, Too

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As we celebrate the signing of the Declaration of Independence 242 years ago on July 4, as we mourn the murders last week of five employees of the Annapolis, Md., Capital Gazette, four of them journalists, and as we think about the “fake news” accusations and slanderous “enemy of the American people” slurs that are hurled like stones at journalists, we should reflect on the important role they play in our United States and in protecting and preserving our democracy.

Randy Evans

‘Speed Limit Phenomenon’ In Government

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My wife and I were driving down Interstate Highway 80 on Sunday, and we experienced one of the cardinal rules of law-making. You don’t read about this in the textbooks. But it’s as certain as death and taxes. The rule amounts to this: When politicians give us something, it’s not long before we want more of the same. On Sunday, we were humming along at 70 miles per hour.

News Quizzes

News Quiz: Fireworks in Iowa

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Fireworks have long been associated with the celebration of the Fourth of July. However, Iowa still holds a ban on most types of fireworks, not including some sparklers and snakes that have been legalized. How much do you know about the history of fireworks, both in Iowa and across the United States?