LATEST HEADLINES
Brenntag, Snap-On, AE Dairy approve strong worker contracts: Iowa Worker’s Almanac news and layoffs April 22, 2026
| April 22, 2026
Workers at Brenntag Great Lakes, Snap-On, and AE Dairy all approved strong worker contracts this month--and more Iowa Worker's Almanac news and layoffs for April 22, 2026.Iowa Senate Democrats hold up Reynolds’ appointees
| April 22, 2026
Now that Iowa Democrats have broken Republicans’ supermajority in the Senate, they’re using it to trip up Gov. Kim Reynolds’ choice for a key department lead. Starting in 2022, Republicans enjoyed a supermajority in the Iowa Senate. This meant that Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds’ state agency appointees, which require a two-thirds majority in the Senate […]Des Moines worker moving to Germany for better health care
| April 22, 2026
I was chatting with Matthew Peirce about being laid off from his job at a small insurance company in Des Moines recently, when he dropped this bombshell: "I'm moving to Germany," he said. "I'm done."8 restaurants in Des Moines where kids can eat for free
| April 22, 2026
In this economy, free food is a blessing we can’t take for granted. Check out these Des Moines restaurants offering free kids’ meals once a week.Photos show Iowa legislative pages stuffing campaign mailers for Dubuque Republican Rep. Jennifer Smith
| April 22, 2026
As the Iowa Legislature heads for overtime, one member of the Iowa House is already gearing up for her reelection. And photos shared with Iowa Starting Line show she’s putting pages to work stuffing mailers. Iowa Starting Line obtained photographs that appear to show Iowa legislative pages stuffing reelection campaign mailers for state Rep. Jennifer […]Wahls releases economic agenda targeting corporate power, Iowa costs
| April 21, 2026
Zach Wahls released a sweeping 10-point economic platform targeting corporate monopolies, billionaire tax breaks, and the rising cost of housing, childcare, and wages. Iowa Sen. Zach Wahls, a candidate in the Democratic primary for US Senate, is talking a lot about the cost of fire trucks. “In the last decade the price for a new […]Iowa voters say clean water is a top issue. Ashley Hinson has voted to limit clean water protections
| April 21, 2026
Iowa voters say clean water is a top priority. As US Rep. Ashley Hinson campaigns for Iowa’s open US Senate seat, her voting record shows a consistent pattern of opposing federal clean water protections. It was billed as a common-sense fix for bureaucratic red tape. When US Rep. Ashley Hinson voted for the PERMIT Act […]Hy-Vee store workers not included in ‘Employees PAC’: Reader letters for April 21, 2026
| April 21, 2026
Readers sound off on Iowa issues: April 21, 2026Protests, rallies, and candidate events around Iowa: April 21-28, 2026
| April 21, 2026
Protests, rallies, and candidate events around Iowa: April 21-28, 2026Rob Sand unveils cannabis legalization plan, a potential solution to Iowa’s $1.4 billion budget hole
| April 20, 2026
Iowa faces a serious budget challenge. This 4/20, Democratic candidate for governor Rob Sand wants the state to stop sending cannabis tax dollars to Illinois and Minnesota—and instead put it to use for Iowans. Democratic gubernatorial candidate Rob Sand announced a plan Monday to legalize, tax, and regulate adult-use cannabis in Iowa. Sand framed the […]Opinion: How Rob Sand flipped two key advantages Republicans held in Iowa
| April 20, 2026
Iowa Starting Line founder Pat Rynard breaks down how Rob Sand spent years taking two of Iowa Republicans’ biggest political advantages away from them — and why that is pivotal in his race for governor. Five years ago, I invited Iowa’s top Democratic leaders and candidates to a presentation to raise the alarm on the […]Iowa stoners: Here are the best cross-border deals at dispensaries for 4/20
| April 16, 2026
Recreational weed isn’t legal in Iowa, so check out these dispensaries offering 4/20 deals in our border states, from Missouri to Illinois and Minnesota.
OUR IOWA
Hy-Vee store workers not included in ‘Employees PAC’: Reader letters for April 21, 2026
| April 21, 2026
Readers sound off on Iowa issues: April 21, 2026What’s up with the HyVee Employees PAC? Reader letters for April 14, 2026
| April 14, 2026
Readers soundoff on Iowa issues: April 14, 2026 HyVee bothsidesing: “I saw your piece about grocery shopping in Iowa. Thanks!I don’t know if this has ever been investigated by ISL, but there is a HyVee Employees PAC that takes in and distributes a fair amount of money to political candidates. …Some time ago I wrote the […]The 8 oldest bars in Iowa
| April 10, 2026
Traverse a century of history at these long-standing bars in Iowa.From Iowa to North Carolina, neighbors are gathering—and asking what’s next
| April 10, 2026
As economic strain deepens across the country, neighbors like Marvinna, Cindy, and Allen are starting small—by gathering around coffee tables and dinner tables to talk about what’s next, how to cope, and how to rebuild community together.Public comment for Iowa impaired waterways report ends soon
| March 18, 2026
The period for public comment on Iowa's impaired waterways report closes this week.What to know about Iowa’s only pay-it-forward café
| March 13, 2026
One Iowa eatery is doing more than simply serving food. Discover how the state’s only pay-it-forward cafe is creating a community—and keeping it fed.Iowa lawmakers push back on proposed tobacco tax
| March 11, 2026
A key health committee in the Iowa Legislature has defeated a measure that would have increased the state's tobacco and e-cigarette taxes.Trump’s cuts to Medicaid threaten services that help disabled people live at home
| March 5, 2026
Leisa and Kent Walker recently received a disturbing notice: The private company managing their son’s Medicaid coverage intends to cut nearly 40% of what it spends for caregivers who help him live at home instead of in a nursing home.
