Russell Gifford

An article defining Dashiell Hammett's role in the creation of the American Private Investigator to the field of Detective fiction. The essays show the history of the Detective genre, Hammett's part in creating and defining the role of the American Private Eye, and a look at the novels and short stories he wrote doing so.

The astounding result of a chance encounter....

Remembering 1966 Via the Music:
‘Summer in the City’ takes me to August 1966. I can see the title on the little card in the juke box in the local café with the big red and white keys that held down when you pressed them. I hear the sharp ‘clack’ it made as the keys released, taking my dime.

As an outspoken critic of liquor sales in Sioux City, Rev. Haddock's efforts were paying off - saloons were being closed as per Iowa law. But Haddock was about to pay for his efforts. On Aug. 3, 1886, when the Rev. George C. Haddock crossed the muddy corner of Fourth and Water streets, a shot rang out.

"Illuminating the Soul of Glass" an exhibit of monumental work by Mark and Jeanne Bogenrief will shake your understanding of stained glass.

"We like to look at it as glass art," says Merrill artist Mark Bogenrief. His glass art, known the world over, moves the viewer.

Looking for clues to a steamboat wreck on the Missouri river leads us on an exploration of the tri-state region's steamboat era!

Like buildings left behind when a mine plays out, the big boxes of former Wal-Mart stores mark places where owners removed silver by the bucket load. It isn't bad business that closes a Wal-Mart store. In fact, it is good business that has the retail giant frequently replacing relatively new stores with bigger, "super" ones. With an estimated 350 empty stores across the nation - about 10 in Iowa - communities are facing the problem of filling these big empty boxes. Weekender writer Russ Gifford examines the issue.

Retail planning in Sioux City has been under scrutiny. While decision-makers say there is a plan, no one agrees on what it looks like. We talked with city leaders to help gather a vision for where the city is going, but it's not 1950 anymore - and the road ahead is more like a four-way street!

As Western Iowa Tech Community College turns 50 this year, we are taking a look back at 1966 using the music to take us there.

In 1955, 160 historians named 65 Senators as "top five contenders" – but they picked George Norris when asked to name the top Senator of all time. Who the heck is George Norris? And if he is indeed one of the top five Senators of all time – why doesn’t anyone know it?

Does where you are from have an impact? Is it a positive one?
Does your regional heritage still matter today? Part of the ‘Regional Greats’ series created by Russ Gifford

Exploring the region in the era of Prehistory, prior to the emergence of the tribal cultures. Our subject: The Mill Creek Era.

Everyone knows who Susan B. Anthony is, but few can tell you anything she might have said. Yet she clearly had a way of reaching her listeners. The Sioux City newspaper stated, "if she ever came there again she would be treated to a coat of tar and feathers." Why?

Stepping Into History with Lewis and Clark

This 10-week series chronicles the Lewis and Clark Voyage of Discovery through the Siouxland area – including their travels from the southeastern Nebraska to central South Dakota.