Iowa Republican activist found guilty of voter fraud
A Sioux City Republican activist was found guilty of 52 charges of voter fraud by a 12-person federal jury on Tuesday. According to federal court...
Why the Dec. 5 Waterloo run-off election is big for the LGBTQ community
The Dec. 5 run-off election in Waterloo will be a match-up between a progressive voice on the city council who fights for LGBTQ protections and one...
Explainer: Why Iowans (likely) will be blocked from voting directly on abortion rights
More states are enshrining access to abortion care in their state constitutions, and some Iowans are wondering if the same can be done here? The...
Trans Day of Remembrance on Nov. 20 time to grieve, gather, hope
Transgender Day of Remembrance, founded in 1999 and falling on every Nov. 20, has a straightforward goal of remembering and mourning the trans,...
Iowa Board of Medicine discusses rules for state’s abortion ban
The Iowa Board of Medicine met Friday to discuss standard rules for abortion in Iowa under the six-week abortion ban passed by Iowa Republicans in a...
Iowa Republican activist found guilty of voter fraud
A Sioux City Republican activist was found guilty of 52 charges of voter fraud by a 12-person federal jury on Tuesday. According to federal court documents, Kim Phuong Taylor, 49, of Sioux City concocted various election schemes in 2020 to get her husband, Jeremy...
Why the Dec. 5 Waterloo run-off election is big for the LGBTQ community
The Dec. 5 run-off election in Waterloo will be a match-up between a progressive voice on the city council who fights for LGBTQ protections and one who "clearly doesn't." That's according to Jonathan Grieder, the progressive voice in that race and the current Ward 2...
Explainer: Why Iowans (likely) will be blocked from voting directly on abortion rights
More states are enshrining access to abortion care in their state constitutions, and some Iowans are wondering if the same can be done here? The technical answer is “yes,” but the more realistic and simple answer is “no.” While polling shows that 61% of Iowans support...
Trans Day of Remembrance on Nov. 20 time to grieve, gather, hope
Transgender Day of Remembrance, founded in 1999 and falling on every Nov. 20, has a straightforward goal of remembering and mourning the trans, nonbinary, and gender-diverse people who have died because of anti-trans violence and hatred. Max Mowitz, program director...
Iowa Board of Medicine discusses rules for state’s abortion ban
The Iowa Board of Medicine met Friday to discuss standard rules for abortion in Iowa under the six-week abortion ban passed by Iowa Republicans in a July special session. No rules were adopted at this meeting. On its face, the ban would require physicians to perform...
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Nontraditional Thanksgiving dinner ideas from Iowans
Turkey, mashed potatoes, some kind of casserole, stuffing, rolls, pumpkin pie: That’s the equation for a "traditional" Thanksgiving meal. But is it? Does it have to be? We asked the Iowa Starting Line audience—on Facebook and in the newsletter—how they break the...
From Queersgiving to Friendsgiving, 8 free Thanksgiving meals around Iowa
Thanksgiving is traditionally a time for a meal at home with family. But if you want to break bread with your community, plenty of places in Iowa offer that, too. So if you're looking for a free community meal, courtesy of the kindness of your fellow Iowans, here are...
Celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day With These Must-Read Books
We asked our colleagues across Courier Newsroom, Iowa Starting Line's parent company, to share recommendations for books by Indigenous authors. Here’s what they said. Monday, October 9, is Indigenous Peoples’ Day—a holiday to honor, celebrate, and recognize the...
How to celebrate Banned Books Week in Des Moines, Iowa City
Banned Books Week seems especially relevant in Iowa this year. Here are a couple events to help you celebrate this week, both free and open to all:
Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month At These 9 Iowa Festivals
National Hispanic Heritage Month is held in the US every year from Sept. 15 through Oct. 15 as a celebration of the history, cultures and contributions…
Two New Sioux City Events This Fall Celebrate Diverse Cultures
Two new events are coming this month to Sioux City to build a space for and connect the different cultures, backgrounds, and people who have made the city home over the years.
25 of the best indie bookstores in Iowa, according to Iowans
The nights are getting longer, and the days chillier, and there’s never a better time to get lost in a new book (except maybe the dead of winter).
Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month At These 9 Iowa Festivals
National Hispanic Heritage Month is held in the US every year from Sept. 15 through Oct. 15 as a celebration of the history, cultures and contributions…
Two New Sioux City Events This Fall Celebrate Diverse Cultures
Two new events are coming this month to Sioux City to build a space for and connect the different cultures, backgrounds, and people who have made the city home over the years.
Iowa’s Coolest Vintage Movie Theaters Still in Operation Today
Classic, vintage, iconic, and just plain cool, we found some old movie theaters sprinkled across the state.
West Des Moines Honors The Long Family’s Contributions
For 34 years straight, Johnny and Barbara Long never missed a West Des Moines City Council meeting.
LOCAL STORIES
Group to give away banned books in Sergeant Bluff, Sioux City this weekend
Annie’s Foundation, a nonprofit group started by Iowans to spread the word about book banning and give those books away, is hitting the road—and coming to Western Iowa for the first time.
8 Diwali celebrations across Iowa to check out this month
Diwali, known as the festival of lights, is a huge celebration in India and among Indian folks around the world. That includes Iowans of Indian descent, who bring some light into our dark fall nights with celebrations across the state this month. What is Diwali?...
As Iowa housing costs soar, Biden wants to turn empty offices into housing
In Sept. 2020, the median home sale price in Iowa was $188,500. As of Sept. 2023, that figure had risen to $229,600, a 21% increase, according to Redfin. Renters are also paying more in Iowa. They paid an average of $947.54 between January and March 2020. Now, they’re paying $1,085.55, a $138.01 increase.
13 of Iowa’s Scariest Haunted Houses and Creepy Attractions of 2023
By Katie Mills Giorgio, Starting Line contributor Spooky season is officially here, and if you’re the type of Iowan who likes a good scare, we’ve got you covered. This list of 13 haunted houses around the state of Iowa is sure to freak you out. Located throughout the...
It’s Banned Books Week. Iowans told us their forbidden faves
In honor of National Banned Books Week, which takes on even more importance this year in Iowa, we asked you for your favorite banned books. Starting Line readers put 48+ books on this list. But a few rose to the top of the pile.
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VIDEO: Ty Tries Cotton Candy
Ty's cotton candy expertise came in handy for this edition of Ty Tries! @iowastartingline Ty’s #cottoncandy expertise came in handy for this edition of #TyTries, which included Cotton #Candy #Oreos. #iowa #iowafun #iowafood ♬ original sound - Iowa Starting Line
VIDEO: Everything I Ate at the Iowa State Fair
Delicious. @iowastartingline 😋 😋 😋 😋 😋 🎥: @broadwaychey #iowa #iowalife #iowastatefair #iloveuiowa ♬ original sound - Iowa Starting Line
VIDEO: Tailgating 101
Name a better tailgating state ... we'll wait. @iowastartingline Name a better tailgating state … we’ll wait. #Iowa #cyhawk #iowa #tailgateszn ♬ original sound - Iowa Starting Line
VIDEO: Sioux City 2023 Fall Events
From the city's first-ever Black music festival showcasing a historic neighborhood, to a talent show where all talents are welcome, two new Sioux City events this fall are celebrating the city's diverse cultures. @iowastartingline From the city's first-ever Black...
VIDEO: Log Out of Netflix! Check These Out Instead
Iowa DOES have cool things! Here’s Starting Line Correspondent Avery spotlighting vintage theaters offering accessible and family-friendly entertainment across the state. @iowastartingline Iowa DOES have cool things! Here’s Starting Line Correspondent Avery...
VIDEO: Iowa Bucket List Spot
Add this to your fall bucket list! @iowastartingline Add this to your fall bucket list! 🍂 📹: @lowcountry_wanderer #fall #autumn #iowa #iowans ♬ original sound - Iowa Starting Line