Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church in Lu Verne, Iowa, closed permanently this summer after more than a century of worship, one small congregation in a statewide wave of closures that has shuttered hundreds of churches in barely a decade. Pastor Steve Struecker led a final service before the doors closed in June, walking through the sanctuary […] The post A 150-year-old Iowa church shuts its doors as rural congregations vanish across the state appeared first on American Almanac .
Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church in Lu Verne, Iowa, closed permanently this summer after more than a century of worship, one small congregation in a statewide wave of closures that has shuttered hundreds of churches in barely a decade. Pastor Steve Struecker led a final service before the doors closed in June, walking through the sanctuary one last time to remove the artifacts that had anchored the congregation's worship for generations. He carried out the baptismal font, a lectern, communion cups, and a cross, sacred items that had no building left to hold them. The closure was not sudden. Zion, roughly 119 miles northwest of Des Moines, had watched its membership thin for years. Fewer families moved in. The ones who stayed grew older.…Open
From sea to shining sea, Americans from all over celebrate a quarter millennium on this special Independence Day. On this episode, The Hill Sunday's Chris Stirewalt is joined by an array of special guests and discusses if democratic socialism is on the rise. Was the Revolutionary War worth it? Plus, how small towns are celebrating America's birth. #july4th #independenceday #revolutionarywar #america250
America's 250th birthday is shaping up to be a red, white and blue fireworks bonanza — for towns that can afford it. Why it matters: As cities compete for bigger, brighter anniversary displays, smaller municipalities are getting priced out — or learning there simply aren't enough crews or equipment to go around. The big picture: Blown away by the costs of competing with larger cities, some towns have resorted to choosing new dates farther from the holiday or crowdsourcing donations. - But a few have canceled shows , including Hinesburg, Vermont, where officials budgeted $13,500 for fireworks, but were gobsmacked when they were told they'd need to pay a minimum of $20,000 this year. What they're saying: "We've had a lot of…
A federal program that pays airlines to operate in small and rural communities could have its budget cut in half, leaving parts of the country with no flight options.
In this special episode of Raising America: 2026 Midterms, Elizabeth sits down with Democratic Candidate for Nebraska Governor, Lynne Walz. Together, they discuss preserving small communities, Lynne's plan to get her message out, and whether Nebraska is ready to welcome a Democratic governor. Catch "The Hill's" Nebraska election coverage on Tuesday, May 12. 0:00 - MEET TEDDY 1:14 - WHY IS LYNNE RUNNING? 3:20 - WILL REPUBLICANS VOTE FOR LYNN? 6:25 - SERVING AS A STATE SENATOR VS. GOVERNOR 8:00 - DO PEOPLE IN NEBRASKA WANT LESS REGULATION? 8:48 - MAKING SURE MAIN STREET SURVIVES 11:44 - WHY AREN'T BUSINESSES BEING HEARD BY THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION? 14:40 - LYNNE'S GAME PLAN 16:00 - ARE PEOPLE IN NEBRASKA CONCERNED ABOUT THE IRANIAN…
Far from the national spotlight, towns like Cornelius, Ore., and Coon Rapids, Minn., are dealing with President Trump’s expanding mass deportation effort, and the effects can be acute.
