July 2018
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Ep45: The Public/Private School Funding Debate
Iowa Starting Line Podcast host Pat Rynard sits down with two Des Moines-area school board members to discuss the recent debate around public funds going to private schools, Urbandale School Board member Judy Downs and Des Moines School Board member Kyrstin Delagardelle Shelley. They also discuss Governor Kim Reynolds and Republican legislators’ funding for schools and how…
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When Will It End?
Well, here we are, with a looming constitutional crisis before us. I have to revert back to my undergraduate degree in American History to confirm that while we have been in some interesting crises over the past two hundred year span of American democracy, we have never been in a position where the President has…
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An Idea For NFL Players To Counter Trump Attacks With Pledge
The NFL preseason starts Aug. 2 in Canton, Ohio, where the Chicago Bears will face the Baltimore Ravens in the NFL Hall of Fame Game. Unfortunately the most anticipated moment won’t be the kickoff to the new season. Instead, fans will be wondering if the teams are going to stay in the locker room during…
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Iowans In Kim Reynolds’ Attack Ad Are GOP Officials
Governor Kim Reynolds has the first fully negative TV ad out in the Iowa governor’s race. In it, local Iowans from Newton, Spencer and Ottumwa criticize Fred Hubbell for the closures of Younkers department stores in their towns about 30 years ago. However, a little bit of digging from Starting Line found something interesting about…
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Chaz Allen Drops Out Of Reelection Bid
The path to winning back the Iowa Senate – now or in the next election cycle – got more complicated today for Democrats with Senator Chaz Allen’s announcement that he will not seek reelection this year. Allen withdrew his nomination for Senate District 15 in order to take a new job opportunity out of state.…
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Is Iowa’s Water Quality Nearing A Public Health Emergency?
This week Greenfield, Iowa’s municipal water utility announced a ban on the city’s drinking water after initial tests indicated microcystin — a toxin produced by blue-green algae. The city is conducting further testing to confirm the source of the contamination. Drinking water containing microcystin can result in abnormal liver function, diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, numbness or dizziness.…
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Statewide Democratic Candidates Smash Republicans’ Fundraising Totals
It may be time for Iowa Republicans to sound the alarm bells. Fundraising totals just posted today for Iowa’s latest reporting period show Democrats destroying their GOP counterparts in every single competitive statewide race. All told, Democrats’ statewide candidates raised a combined $2,866,382 to Republicans’ $1,250,516. However, largely thanks to Governor Kim Reynolds’ war chest,…
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Ep44: Under-The-Radar Stories To Watch & Peter Leo Interview
Iowa Starting Line Podcast host Pat Rynard and producer Chance Dorland discuss some stories to keep an eye on where another shoe may drop, as well as Nate Boulton’s decision to stay in the Iowa Senate. And we interview Peter Leo about his campaign for the Iowa House in the Carroll-based district.
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CCI Brings In Nina Turner For Weekend Convention
The Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement Action Fund (ICCI Action Fund) is holding their annual convention in Des Moines this weekend. The original organization Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement (ICCI) was founded in 1975 by ministers in Waterloo committed to fighting for social justice. They worked at grassroots organizing and gradually evolved by adding their…
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University Of Iowa Should Include Public On Closure Decisions
The University of Iowa announced last week that it will close seven academic centers, shrink three others and eliminate 33 jobs. The reductions will save $3.5 million, officials said. The announcement should come as no surprise if you have been paying attention to events in our state. The university has been caught in a vice…
