Althea Cole

Construction continues during an update at the Google data center site May 30, 2025, in Cedar Rapids. The Gazette I’ve had a lot of orthopedic surgeries at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City. Twenty years ago, preoperative appointments involved carting stacks of my paper medical records from clinic to clinic. They were gathered in so many stacks of thick plastic comb-bound books that I couldn’t carry them. I had to be pushed in a wheelchair and balance them on my lap.

The drafting of the Declaration of Independence. Library of Congress Every now and then I can be seen sporting a T-shirt with the likeness of George Washington wearing sunglasses to make him look extra cool. Emblazoned on the shirt is the phrase, “IT’S ONLY TREASON IF YOU LOSE.” I’m actually wearing that shirt as I type this column. We have early deadlines due to the Independence Day holiday, so I’m writing this on July 2.

Iowa Democratic gubernatorial candidate Rob Sand speaks to media after voting on primary Election Day, Tuesday, June 2, 2026, in Des Moines, Iowa. Bryon Houlgrave - FR172027 AP Despite the fact that more than six months remain before Iowa inaugurates a new governor, Democratic candidate and State Auditor Rob Sand faced a crucial test of executive decision-making just last week. The decision he made could put billions of dollars in federal funding for Iowa at risk.