THURSDAY, OCT. 2, 2025 • VOLUME N0. 125 • ISSUE NO. 2 • 1 SECTION • 8 PAGES
Serving Colfax • Mingo • Baxter • Western Jasper County
Chuck Grassley says teachers ‘can say anything they want to’ as private citizens Senator shares perspective on free speech; calls FCC chairman’s comments ‘stupid’ and condemns Disney’s handling
By Christopher Braunschweig Jasper County Tribune U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley upheld the First Amendment rights of teachers and professors who have been put on leave or fired Christopher Braunschweig/Jasper County Tribune from their jobs for their scornful U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley speaks with juniors and seniors comments about Charlie Kirk’s on Sept. 28 at PCM High School. death, saying they “can say
BAXTER ROYALTY Baxter announces 2025 Homecoming Court; king and queen to be crowned Oct. 2
Submitted Photo Baxter Bolts 2025 Homecoming Court: Klaire Shanks, Stadan Vansice, Alyvia Burdess, Eli Dee, Caydence Sulzle, Cody Travis, Grace Anderegg and Colton Moffit. 2025 Prince and Princess: Tatum Stribe and Cassie Moorman.
anything they want to” so long as they are speaking as private citizen and not inciting violence. He also said Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Brendan Carr made “stupid comments” about what would happen if Disney or ABC didn’t take action against Jimmy Kimmel for comments he made during his late-night talk show about the man charged with killing Kirk. Grassley also said President Donald Trump said things he should not have said. “If any corporate CEO makes a decision based upon what some political leader said, they’re not serving their stockholders or employers or customers,” Grass-
ley said. “They ought to be making a decision as a CEO unrelated to what somebody says they should have done or not done.” In an interview with Newton News on Friday, Sept. 26 during a visit to PCM High School, the Republican senator suggested employees could be justly punished for making disparaging comments against their employer, for example. But they can otherwise say anything they want. “If they’re acting as a private citizen outside their employment area, they can say anything they want to,” Grassley said. “When they’re in employment GRASSLEY | 3
Viva Tigerhawk Homecoming Colfax-Mingo announces 2025 Homecoming Court; king and queen to be crowned Oct. 2 at coronation
Jamee A. Pierson/Jasper County Tribune Colfax-Mingo 2025 Homecoming Court: Senior Boys: Gus Engle, Isaiah Lewis, Alex Teed, Wyatt Thornton and Chesmi Zwiebel; Senior Girls: Evalyn Anderson, Emmalyn Buchman, Grace Hunsberger, Selma Metz and Mallory Sipma; Freshmen: Royal Collins and Miley Baughman; Sophomore: Lawrence Solasberry and Brenna Miller; Junior: Jace Lewis and Brooklyn Yanske.
Space with a view Colfax Main Street hosting City Tour of Available Properties for commercial spaces in downtown Oct. 11
Road conditions at Newton Kart Klub scrutinized by county resident track south of town. County engineer kart Ray criticized the county over its gravel road mainsays parked tenance, saying “they were trailers bad before” but “are getworse.” Ray argued conflicted with ting several out-of-town peotravel down East Fifth recent blading ple Street South. attempts “We had people from By Christopher Braunschweig Jasper County Tribune
A Newton resident told the Jasper County Board of Supervisors that the Jamee A. Pierson/Jasper County Tribune Join the Colfax is Calling, a tour of available commercial spaces, at 10 a.m., Oct. 11 starting at city hall. gravel road leading to the Newton Kart Klub is By Jamee A. Pierson “If you’re a small business The free event is open to anyone in poor shape, even after Jasper County Tribune owner looking to relocate or open who wants to walk along. RSVP is crews bladed the pathway a new branch or a prospective recommended by emailing colfaxupon request. However, Colfax Main Street is looking business owner wanting to start a mainstreet@gmail.com. the county engineer said to boost view of downtown va- new venture, then check out this The tour will feature open parked vehicles wanting Media cant commercial spaces with a your,” Colfax Main Street Director commercial spaces in the down- Shaw to enter the racetracks City Tour of Available Properties. Stuart Patterson said. “Everyone town area. The location boasts grounds prevented proper The tour is planned for 10 to 11:45 is welcome, so if you’re just inter- several recently renovated spaces blading. a.m., Oct. 11 starting at Colfax City ested in seeing the inside of his- and many with a lot of potential Randy Ray, of Newton, Hall, and it includes a trip to see toric buildings or seeing recently uses. said he has been contactthe historic downtown business renovated spaces, come and join “Find the perfect space for your ing supervisors regarding community. us too.” business,” Patterson said. the road leading to the goest. 1851
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Illinois. We had people from Missouri. We had people from Nebraska, Sioux Falls, Minnesota, Wisconsin, New York City. All over,” Ray said. “People are pissed because when we asked to have our road graded, it either gets done or it don’t get done. If it does get done, it don’t get done right.” Ray claimed personal skid loaders have been used to fill holes in the road. He also criticized the “washboard” surface causing severe vibrations for motorists. When Ray ROAD CONDITIONS | 3
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