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.
Georgia begins a hand recount of presidential ballots as President-elect Joe Biden forges ahead on transition, despite lack of cooperation.
Defense Secretary Mark Esper had opposed President Donald Trump's call to use active-duty troops to quell violence at George Floyd protests.
President-elect Joe Biden vows to “end a grim era of demonization” as he and Sen. Kamala Harris are set to take office in January.
Democrats Joe Biden and Kamala Harris were projected as the winner of the 2020 presidential race after surpassing 270 electoral votes.
Real or not, a message appeared on the wall when a COVID-19 patient most needed it; a lizard on the line; and a python under the hood.
Democrat Joe Biden is one state away from becoming the president-elect; President Donald Trump 's campaign files lawsuits in swing states.
President Donald Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden are locked in a seesaw battle in the race to 270 electoral votes needed to win.
U.S. voters decide the 2020 presidential race, the balance of power in the Senate and other issues in what appears to be a record turnout.
For voters still undecided in the 2020 presidential race, here's how Donald Trump and Joe Biden stand on 10 key issues.
Nearly 100 million U.S. voters had cast mail-in ballots when polls opened. The winner of the presidential race may not be known for days.
Trump vows to ask courts to stop states from counting ballots arriving after Election Day; activists organize "Protect the Results" rallies.
Cat’s prize is a two-headed snake. Why are tough cops carrying teddy bears? If you’re not howling at the Halloween blue moon, why not?
If you’re not already howling in support of pandemic first responders, the blue Halloween hunter’s moon is a prod to join the movement.
The pandemic added steam to the biannual debate over Daylight Saving Time, which will mean the sun sets earlier Sunday.
Why Sgt. 1st Class David Flint hid overnight in a basement; how a Massachusetts tailor’s business flourished after she said no to charity.
Solution Team approach shows promise to end the cruel cycle of bullying — and put corporate trainers like Melissa Schulz out of business.
Stay up late to see the Orionid meteor shower, known for its extended peak; keep an eye on the sky for shooting stars from the Taurids.
Nine young “upstanders” — kids who, armed with empathy, stand up to others who bully — say adults’ angry rhetoric sets a terrible example.
Wedding bells peal, a World War II veteran celebrates, a man with Down syndrome triumphs, nurses cheer and more lasagnas go into the oven.
Senate confirmation of Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the U.S. Supreme Court would cement 6-3 conservative majority before the Nov. 3 election.
