The Iowa industry that built families and fought racism—then vanished
Iowa’s meatpacking history is an essential part of the state’s overall story. Here’s why.
Feb
2026
6
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Feb
2026
6
WATCH: Iowa high schooler speaks out against Don’t Say LGBTQ+ bill for grades 7-12
This week, Iowa Republicans advanced a "Don't Say LGBTQ+" bill for grades 7-12. This Iowa high school student explained to lawmakers how a bill like that would impact her classmates.
Feb
2026
6
Farmers haven’t profited in a decade: Iowa Worker’s Almanac layoffs and news, Feb. 6, 2026
Working-class news you can use for Feb. 6, 2026:
Feb
2026
6
In 1900, Buxton, Iowa, treated Black and white workers equally
Buxton, Iowa, was an unincorporated mining town where Black and white residents lived, worked, and went to school side by side—with equal pay and no segregation. How? It was designed that way.
Feb
2026
5
Iowa Republicans push to eliminate school vaccine requirements, other sweeping changes
As measles returns to the United States, Iowa Republicans want to remove school vaccine requirements shown to reduce spread of deadly viruses. Iowa Republicans advanced legislation Wednesday that would make Iowa the first state in the nation to completely...
Feb
2026
5
WATCH: Iowa Dem pushes back on new bill banning local anti-discrimination laws
Iowa Republicans on Wednesday introduced a bill to ban local governments from passing any ordinances that expand protections for groups not protected by the Iowa Civil Rights Act.
State Sen. Renee Hardman spoke at an 8 a.m. House subcommittee, which took place less than 24 hours after the bill was introduced. No speakers at the subcommittee were in support of the bill.
Feb
2026
4
WATCH: Your tax dollars are financing the destruction of affordable housing
Havenpark Communities bought up parks across Iowa using government-backed loans. They raised rents across the board. And now, they're selling off their properties in Iowa.
Feb
2026
4
WATCH: Iowa Republicans go after Feenstra for refusing debate invitations
US Rep. Randy Feenstra has been playing hooky from Republican governor debates. At a Moms for Liberty debate, all four of his opponents took a swipe at him for not showing up to answer questions.
Feb
2026
4
WATCH: US Rep. Randy Feenstra’s debate absence ‘a middle finger’ to voters
US Rep. Randy Feenstra is considered a frontrunner in Iowa’s race for governor. He has not been attending debates. In a recent debate held by Moms for Liberty, an empty podium was left on stage for him.
Feb
2026
4
‘I almost died trying to get an abortion in Iowa’—a mother of 4 speaks out
This Iowa mother of four was heartbroken when her fetus received a fatal diagnosis. Then the pregnancy threatened her life, too.
