Recent Articles

Drake University President Dr. Marty Martin issued strong message of support for diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) efforts in March 3 email to faculty and students.

A great strength of Drake University is the ever-increasing diversity of the individuals who make up this wonderful place. That diversity is essential to our mission promise to prepare our students for meaningful personal lives, professional accomplishment, and responsible global citizenship. It creates opportunities for life-changing relationships. It makes our campus more interesting and vibrant. It broadens perspectives and enriches the learning experience. It ultimately makes our University stronger and more resilient.

Moving through life with our fellow human beings must not, thankfully, be a homogenous experience. When we open ourselves up to the wide array of individuals and communities around us, our lives become more grounded, joyful, and fulfilling. We learn that our differences are not weaknesses, they are strengths. We discover that exploring those differences with open minds and hearts, with empathy and love, is one of the most meaningful experiences we can have in life.

Drake University exists to help individuals find their purpose and realize their fullest potential. A Drake education prepares our students to thrive in this interconnected world, and thus, live their best lives for themselves and those they love and serve. It is our responsibility to ensure that the Drake experience is shared with anyone who can turn the opportunity offered here into their reality. It is unimaginable that we would turn away from this obligation.

On Friday, Governor Reynolds signed a bill ending eighteen years of civil rights protection for transgender and nonbinary Iowans. This action is one among many current state and federal efforts that seek to turn our differences into division. Instead of working to find a shared path grounded in respect for the basic human dignity possessed by every person, too many public officials are seeking to marginalize and isolate our colleagues, neighbors, friends, and loved ones. This is a moral failure against which we stand in opposition. It is our duty to respect, support, and affirm anyone in our community targeted by these actions.

by Clark Kauffman, Iowa Capital Dispatch
February 21, 2025

State, city and county inspectors have cited Iowa restaurants and stores for hundreds of food-safety violations during the past six weeks, including moldy bread, long-expired food, rodent droppings and filthy kitchens.

The findings are reported by the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals and Licensing, which handles food-establishment inspections at the state level. Listed below are some of the more serious findings that stem from inspections at Iowa restaurants, stores, schools, hospitals and other businesses.

The state inspections department reminds the public that their reports are a “snapshot” in time, and violations are often corrected on the spot before the inspector leaves the establishment.

Lee Enterprises, Inc. – owner of the Quad City Times and Dispatch/Argus – hopes increasing digital advertising and subscription revenues will eventually offset the steady decline in the media company's print ad and subscription revenue.

But the latest quarterly report shows the difficulty in jumping from print to online revenue streams.

The company lost $16.9 million for the first quarter as print ad revenues plunged more than 19 percent compared to the same period a year ago. A year ago, the company lost $1.6 million during the first quarter.