Thursday, Oct. 2, 2025
Vol. 6, No. 7
PCMExplorer Local People. Local Stories.
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 PCM Explorer
U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley upheld the First Amendment rights of teachers and professors who have been put on leave or fired from their jobs for their scornful
comments about Charlie Kirk’s death, saying they “can say 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 Pres-
ident 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,” Grassley 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 GRASSLEY | 3
Christopher Braunschweig/PCM Explorer U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley speaks with juniors and seniors on Sept. 28 at PCM High School.
Homecoming royalty PCM announces 2025 Homecoming Court; king and queen to be crowned Oct. 2 at Spirit Night following the parade
METALPOCALYPSE PCM Marching Band debuts 2025 show at first competitions of the year
Submitted Photo PCM 2025 Senior Homecoming King Candidates: Alex Wendt, Keegan Fenton, Zach Richards, Coby DeRaad and Shay Burns. PCM 2025 Senior Homecoming Queen Candidates: Paiten Rumbaugh, Tori Lindsay, Carolyn Burkett, Addison Hudnut and Lillian Humpal. Freshman attendants: Gavin Gibbs and Ellie Ekiss, sophomore attendants: Luke Fernading and Annie Ford, junior attendants: Wyatt Schubert and Kenna Grier
Road conditions at Newton Kart Klub scrutinized by county resident leading to the Newton Kart before” but “are getting worse.” County engineer Klub is in poor shape, even af- Ray argued several out-of-town crews bladed the pathway people travel down East Fifth says parked trailers ter upon request. However, the Street South. conflicted with county engineer said parked “We had people from Illinois. vehicles wanting to enter the We had people from Missouri. recent blading racetracks grounds prevented We had people from Nebrasproper blading. ka, Sioux Falls, Minnesota, attempts Randy Ray, of Newton, said Wisconsin, New York City. All By Christopher Braunschweig PCM Explorer
A Newton resident told the Jasper County Board of Supervisors that the gravel road
he has been contacting supervisors regarding the road leading to the go-kart track south of town. Ray criticized the county over its gravel road maintenance, saying “they were bad
over,” Ray said. “People are pissed because when we asked to have our road graded, it either gets done or it don’t get ROAD CONDITIONS | 3
FUN ON THE RUN
Jamee A. Pierson/PCM Explorer The PCM Marching Band had a successful day of competitions Sept. 27. The band received first place at the Urbandale Marching Band Invitation and third place at the Pella Marching Band Invitation, along with earning the Outstanding Visual Performance award and first place for the innagural UMI and MDI Combine Championship.
Dozens of kids take to the course to kick off the home PCM Cross Country meet
Jamee A. Pierson/PCM Explorer
A publication of est. 1851
CONTACT US Newsroom: 641-792-3121, ext. 7 • Advertising: 641-792-3121, ext. 2 Subscriptions/Delivery: 866-979-1053 • Billing: 641-792-3121, ext. 6
Single Copy $1