From the beginning, I have been a strong supporter of gambling in Iowa. I believe that the financial structure of gaming licenses, which provides for a percentage of revenues to be set aside for community reinvestment, came when Iowa needed it most.

Who knew that on any given Thursday evening, you could pack a bag at 6 p.m., board a plane around 10 p.m., and be in Las Vegas by midnight, all in plenty of time to enjoy the flash and sizzle that defines the Las Vegas Strip? Last week, members of the Quad City International Airport (QCIA) staff, associates, and other Quad Citians making the most of $89 one-way fares celebrated AirTran's inaugural nonstop flight direct from Moline to Las Vegas, fondly deemed the "Red Eye for the Fun Guy.

Increasing Davenport city-council terms from two years to four years has some merit in terms of stability, especially when it normally takes at least that long to implement substantial capital-improvement projects.

During the last scheduled night of the spring legislative session, a reporter decided to step outside for a smoke. While he was outdoors, he tried to catch a glimpse inside the governor's office. In one window, the reporter saw Deputy Governor Bradley Tusk talking to someone on the telephone.