Dear Friends,

Monday, Buzz Malone talks about his new novel, “The Ghosts of Melrose.” In addition to being an author, Buzz causes all sorts of headaches for the Political Establishment through his blog, Iowa Political Jumble. Check it out.

Also Monday, State Rep Sharon Steckman (D-Mason City) tells us why hunters shouldn't use lead shot when bagging mourning doves. The Legislature authorized dove hunting this year, but the decision on what type of shot to allow is still under discussion.

Tuesday, the Fallon Forum hosts one heckuva debate between State Rep Ralph Watts (R-Adel) and former State Rep David Osterberg (D-Mount Vernon) on the appropriate direction of America's (and Iowa's) energy policy. Where should we stand in twenty years? What will be the role of coal, gas, nuclear, wind, solar, ethanol and biofuels? What role will conservation play in helping to meet energy demand?

Wednesday, another Iowa author joins us. Jerry Stubben is a man with a foot in many important threads of Iowa tradition. Jerry lived with Native Americans until he was 18. He's a farmer and former ISU professor. The jacket of his latest book, “Blood Quantum,” reads, “The world as we know it is about to change. Whether it is the Mayans' 2012 or the Christians' final days, humans can feel a major change coming to the world they now inhabit.”

Also on Wednesday, we talk with Kim Houlding about the Xenia Rural Water District scandal. Energy tycoons David and Charles Koch, owners of one of the largest privately held companies in the U.S., operate one of three ethanol plants served by the district. They're causing all sorts of headaches for the district's other two ethanol plants and its 9,500 residential customers.

Thursday, attorney Jim Larew joins us. Jim served as a top aide to Governor Chet Culver and is now behind an effort challenging the constitutionality of SF 390, legislation that would use ratepayer money to fund a new nuclear power plant owned by MidAmerican Energy.