Iowa Legislature representatives Sue Cahill (D-Marshalltown), Dean Fisher (R-Montour) and Sen. Jeff Edler (R-State Center) took questions from the public in a v
tbabcock@timesrepublican.com
Passing of Gov. Kim Reynolds’ Senate File 159 in the Iowa Senate, also known as the “school choice” bill, has created a contentious debate around the allocation of taxpayer funds to public and private schools.
“When you divert funds from schools, especially now, when students’ lives have been disrupted in every aspect, it will mean that students in public schools will miss out on important opportunities they would have been provided,” Marshalltown Education Association President Anita Ringgenberg said.
Senate File 159 being an “education omnibus bill” packaging together several changes to the public system, has one particular aspect drawing attention from school boards and educators across the state.
T-R PHOTOS BY TREVOR BABCOCK Members of Marshalltown’s Rotary Club dropped 150 bags of food from HyVee to the Emergency Food Bank amid extremely cold condit
lbradstream@timesrepublican.com
The Times-Republican had a good showing at the 2021 Iowa Newspaper Association Better Newspaper Awards. The contest was judged by the Maryland DC Press Association and winners were announced Thursday during a virtual ceremony.
“We always appreciate being recognized among our peers for the great work we produce every day,” T-R Publisher Abigail Pelzer said. “I’m incredibly proud of our editorial and advertising staff for their incredible efforts and successes in one of the most challenging years we have ever seen.”
The T-R placed in eight categories in the Daily Class I division:
First place Best Ad Featuring Miscellaneous awarded to the staff for the Stay Home Scavenger Hunt ad.
tbabcock@timesrepublican.com
T-R FILE PHOTOS Local band Grand Marshall plays a live show, which have been few and far between since the COVID-19 pandemic began.
After a long, silent period, live music returns to the Central Iowa Fairgrounds in Marshalltown with three local variety acts set to give their all at the activity building’s stage Saturday night.
“You’re going to see a whole group of people, guys and gals, who are just so ready to let loose,” lead guitarist and vocalist of Exit 185 Mike Smith said. “Just to have an opportunity to be out there playing music, not only in front of a live audience, but with other bands is exciting.”