How to contact me: beth.dalbey@patch.com
Beth Dalbey, a longtime award-winning community journalist, is Patch’s national editor. She has been with Patch since 2011 when she launched sites in Iowa and provided national Iowa Caucus and swing-state general election coverage. She worked as a regional manager before moving to the national desk in 2017. Throughout her time at Patch, she has reported and written about local topics of national interest and is currently focusing on exclusive Patch content, including Block Talk, an only-on-Patch neighborhood etiquette column for which readers supply advice.
Dalbey and the newspapers she has edited have earned numerous awards for news, feature and government coverage, editorial and column writing, and overall general excellence from the Iowa Newspaper Association, the National Newspaper Association and the Associated Press Media Editors. In 1992 in Iowa, she led the weekly Dallas County News to win the INA's prestigious Newspaper of the Year award, competing against metro newspapers many times its size. She was the youngest recipient ever of the INA’s Distinguished Service Award in 1994. At Patch, she received the Todd Richissin Award for Excellence in Reporting and Writing for the “Menace of Bullies” project.
In Iowa, Dalbey’s byline has also appeared in the Fairfield Daily Ledger, where she was editor for five years; and in the Des Moines Business Record, Cityview, dsm magazine and other publications under the umbrella of Business Publications Corp., where she was the editorial director for several years. Dalbey also freelanced for the Des Moines Register and other print and digital publications
Dalbey grew up in Missouri and majored in journalism at Northwest Missouri State University. Except for a three-year stint as communications editor for a scientific institute doing ape language research, she has spent her entire career in community journalism. At the former Great Ape Trust of Iowa, she wrote about the world-famous resident bonobos Kanzi and Panbanisha.
The important Social Security Administration announcement, hinged on the September inflation report, was delayed by the government shutdown.
Pedestrians staring at their phones while crossing busy streets put themselves and motorists in harm’s way. Can anything be done to stop it?
The American Federation of Teachers sued, saying blocking student loan holders from programs violated mandates in borrowers’ loan terms.
Sea otters are stealing surfboards again; AI picks winning Powerball numbers; pastor on prayer tour accused of setting church shed on fire.
“It’s raining monkeys!” an Ocala woman said after dozens of rhesus macaque monkeys jumped from trees into the river they were kayaking.
So far in 2025, 44% of phone companies have fully installed mandated software and adopted anti-robocall policies; that’s down from 2024.
Some states have veto power over insurance premium hikes, and others are seeking it as an outcry against high rates crosses political lines.
Turkey prices soar amid bird flu, trade wars and other economic pressures; Aldi and Walmart are early announcers of Thanksgiving meal deals.
After years of legislative setbacks, progress has been made on the Sunshine Protection Act, which would make daylight saving time permanent.
“I’m 70, have young grandchildren and have always enjoyed the horror part of Halloween. It touches our fears in a safe way,” a reader said.
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2025 has been a brutal year for retail businesses. Here’s a look at what’s behind the closures and shrinking store footprints of 20+ brands.
The cancellation of projects is seen as an escalation of Trump’s use of executive power to punish Democratic-leaning states
In mast years, an oak tree can drop 10,000 acorns, creating a smorgasbord for some animals, a danger for others and a nuisance for humans.
Local offices will remain open during the federal government shutdown, but with thousands of workers furloughed, services will be limited.
A second wave of at least 2,000 “No Kings” protests against the Trump administration will take place across the country this weekend.
As a bonus, the fireball-rich Orionid meteor shower peaks at the same time two newly discovered comets swing by Earth.
Eeyore the dog “practically dragged” deputy to a woman who had fallen while walking him; escaped prisoner tried to hitch a ride in the nude.
Americans are going large this year with realistic illusions and other extreme Halloween displays. Are you thumbs up or down on them?
Taylor Swift is a billionaire, but her costumes and others inspired by pop culture can be fashioned for a song at thrifts.
