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.
As the sun approaches “solar maximum” in its 11-year cycle and the number of sunspots ramps up, we may see the northern lights more often.
Your 5-mintue read to start the day: Kenosha shooting: I “thought I was going to die”; study shows deer got COVID from people; elf shelved.
COVID-19 infections could have spread from people to deer through backyard feeding, sewage discharges or even by licking a plug of tobacco.
Your 5-minute read to start the day: Mourning begins in Houston after festivalgoers crushed; GOP bullish on midterms; 30 Days Of Gratitude.
At 3½ hours, a partial lunar eclipse is the longest such event of the century, so plan a watch party to see the frost moon turn red.
Your 5-minute read to start the day: “Let’s go us”; final rites for Colin Powell; vaccine mandate lawsuits; world’s largest 3-D community.
A North Reading mom didn’t know what life would be like when her son was diagnosed with autism. As it turns out, it’s been wonderful.
The birth of a conservative battle cry — and liberals’ response — shows again why we can’t have nice things. It was fun for a while, though.
All-girl football team tackles stereotypes; town gives Tom the Can Man an assist; girl gives all her money to neighbors for Halloween.
Her husband, deployed four times, rarely makes it home to Concord for the holidays. This Thanksgiving, he’ll have a place at the table.
A PBS deal to air Charlie Brown Thanksgiving and Christmas classics is like a Linus-approved security blanket for Americans.
Three-time Olympic gold medal cyclist Kristin Armstrong says practicing gratitude sends out a tide of disappointment so love can rush in.
The deer mating season is in full swing, making sunset — an hour earlier starting Sunday — a precarious time on the nation's highways.
Health officials acknowledge parents of kids ages 5-11 have legitimate concerns about COVID-19 vaccinations, but emphasize safety.
Attorneys say in “Today" exclusive the bullet in Alec Baldwin’s prop gun may have been planted by a disgruntled crew member who walked off.
Patch readers from five states weigh in on living with gratitude. We'll have more throughout the month in 30 Days Of Gratitude.
“America’s sweetheart” Betty White is about to turn 100. An insurer is offering a “dream job” to her biggest fan. It pays $1,000.
Your 5-minute read to start the day: Virginia election; Laundrie surveillance mistakes; mom who killed kids paroled; 30 Days Of Gratitude.
Write a letter showing your gratitude for someone or something in your neighborhood for 30 Days Of Gratitude, running through Nov. 30.
There are plenty of turkeys. The problem is getting them processed and to grocery stores amid labor shortages and supply chain issues.
