Amie Rivers

Amie Rivers is Iowa Starting Line’s newsletter editor. She writes the weekly Worker’s Almanac edition of Iowa Starting Line, featuring a roundup of the worker news you need to know. Previously, she was an award-winning journalist at the Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier; now, she very much enjoys making TikToks and memes and getting pet photos in her inbox.

Have a story tip? Reach Amie at amie@iowastartingline.com. For local reporting in Iowa that connects the dots, from policy to people, sign up for Amie’s newsletter.

Latest from Amie Rivers

Elections

August 26, 2024

Felony on your record? You can likely still vote in Iowa; here’s how

If you’ve been convicted of a felony charge in Iowa, but you’ve served your time, you could be eligible to vote this November. Whether those who have a felony on their record can vote, and when that happens, varies widely across the US: In three places (Maine, Vermont, Washington DC), you never lose your right…
Elections

August 21, 2024

No cold calls: 6 ways to get out the vote as an introvert

Maybe you’re an introvert, avoid social situations, or just don’t like the idea of door-knocking, cold-calling, and meeting people. But you’re still hyped up for the election, and want to get out the vote for your favorite candidate. What to do?
Elections

August 20, 2024

Iowa passed Voter ID laws in 2017. Here’s what to know now

While Iowa’s voter ID law may have put hurdles in the way of casting a ballot, county auditors and poll workers are still committed to helping all eligible citizens vote on Election Day.
Elections

August 14, 2024

How to vote on Election Day in Iowa

It’s Election Day, and you have done literally nothing to prepare for this. Don’t worry: You can still vote! Here’s how. Iowa’s general election is Tuesday, November 5, 2024. If you’re reading this on Nov. 5, don’t freak out: You can still register AND vote today. REGISTER TO VOTE See if you’re already registered to vote: …
Elections

August 10, 2024

First time voting in Iowa? Here’s everything you need to know

If it’s your first time voting in Iowa, here’s what you need to know to make your vote count.
Elections

August 10, 2024

Voting 101: How to vote by mail in Iowa in 2024

From registering to vote to requesting a ballot and every deadline, here’s everything you need to know about how to vote absentee—or vote by mail—in Iowa.
Politics

August 6, 2024

What about worker rights? Here’s what Tim Walz has done

Picking Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz signals something big: Worker rights, and pro-worker policies, are back at the forefront of Democratic politics. On Tuesday morning, Vice President Kamala Harris picked Walz as her running mate—arguably a progressive pick, given the laws Walz has signed as governor that have propelled Minnesota into an escape state for many…
Local

July 26, 2024

Union reps slam Iowa legislators after child labor violations rack up

Labor leaders in eastern Iowa called out Gov. Kim Reynolds and the Iowa Republicans who backed new laws to loosen child labor, and tied it to Project 2025’s goal of loosening child labor nationwide during a forum in Cedar Rapids last week. Rick Moyle, executive director of the Hawkeye Area Labor Council, referenced recent comments…
Local

July 24, 2024

Iowa worker rights advocates, progressive orgs excited for Kamala Harris

Iowa worker rights advocates and other progressive organizations were mostly hopeful, if not outright excited, about the prospect of Vice President Kamala Harris as the 2024 Democratic nominee for president. Unless you were falling out of a coconut tree since Sunday, you already heard the news that President Joe Biden dropped out of the 2024…
Local

July 19, 2024

‘I can shine a light on the monsters:’ Iowan documenting Russia-Ukraine War

A Des Moines woman is recording and archiving footage to tell the unvarnished truth about the Russia-Ukraine War. Russia’s war on Ukraine began in February 2022. However, Ann Vorhees of Des Moines started collecting video from it recently after a conversation she had with a neighbor gave her the idea. “I said, ‘We shouldn’t leave…