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.
Winter heating costs are expected to increase 28 percent for natural gas customers as worry mounts assistance programs will fall far short.
A total lunar eclipse on Election Day is a historic first. People on Twitter don’t know exactly what that might portend, but offer theories.
The Orionid meteor shower, known for fireballs and persistent trains, is building toward its peak later this week. Taurids are also flying.
The IRS changed rules in more than 60 categories, including increasing the standard deduction for tax returns filed in early 2024.
The Sunshine Protection Act that passed the Senate calls for year-round daylight saving time. Year-round standard time gains steam in House.
Helen was wild-caught in West Africa before the practice was internationally condemned, and until recently enjoyed good health.
Nestlé voluntarily recalls specific lots of the cookie dough sold nationwide after a “small number” of consumer complaints about plastic.
Pumpkins pop up where they’re not expected, but one the size of a rhinoceros was planned. Also, a male orangutan will steal your heart.
Political signs have First Amendment protections, but some say they’re an outdated way to reach voters and provoke neighborhood conflict.
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Social Security chief: Medicare Part B premiums will decrease 3 percent, giving older Americans “more peace of mind and breathing room.”
A federal judge is hearing a challenge that could derail the Biden administration’s $400 billion student loan forgiveness plan.
Film is based on the true story of a drug smuggler and the hapless bear that ingested $15 million worth of coke he dropped from his plane.
Dozens of U.S. airport websites are back online after the“hactivist” pro-Russian group Killnet flooded them with junk data.
The butter shortage comes as holiday baking kicks into high gear, creating angst among consumers and survival fears for professional bakers.
Patch and T-Mobile are partnering to recognize star student athletes for the qualities that drive their competitive spirit.
Patch and T-Mobile partner to celebrate Local Heroes who make life better in neighborhoods across America, with contributions big and small.
Bobby and Julie Gregory were interested in a much larger dog when the pocket-sized Guinness World Record-holder wiggled into their hearts.
President Joe Biden pledged Thursday to erase the criminal records of thousands of Americans convicted of simple misdemeanor drug offenses.
There are plenty of Publishers Clearing House scams; here’s how to tell the real deal from efforts to separate you from your money.
Depending on where you live, it could snow a lot or not much at all during the third consecutive La Niña winter, according to AccuWeather.
