WATCH: Trump starts a war. Iowa Republicans fall in line
Trump launched a senseless war. Iowa Republicans rushed in to defend it.
Mar
2026
3
Zachary Oren Smith
Zachary Oren Smith is your friendly neighborhood reporter. He leads Starting Line’s political coverage where he investigates corruption, housing affordability and the future of work. For nearly a decade, he’s written award-winning stories for Iowa Public Radio, The Des Moines Register and Iowa City Press-Citizen. Send your tips on hard news and good food to [email protected].
Mar
2026
2
WATCH: Iowa faces rising cancer rates. Could petrochemicals be to blame?
Could air pollution, fossil fuels, and particulate matter be fueling Iowa's cancer rise? Karin Stein, the Iowa field organizer for Eco Madres and Moms Clean Air Force, explains.
Feb
2026
27
WATCH: Shadowy group made Iowa student president sign NDA
We don't hold student leaders to the same standards as local, state, and national politicians. But the Iowa GOP got involved in backing an impeached student president. And what they're willing to excuse tells us everything.
Feb
2026
27
WATCH: Plastic recycling is ‘anything but recycling,’ Iowa field organizer says
There's no such thing as plastic "recycling"—Karin Stein, the Iowa field organizer for Moms Clean Air Force and Eco Madres, explains.
Feb
2026
26
WATCH: Show up to support Brenntag workers February 26th at 3pm
Teamsters Local 90 is holding a community rally in support of Brenntag Des Moines workers today (Thursday, Feb, 26) at 3 p.m. at the plant, located at 1979 N.E. 54th Ave. in Des Moines. They're asking the public to come out and show support.
Feb
2026
21
WATCH: ‘Robbing the next generation’: Turek slams Iowa GOP school proposal
On the Iowa House floor on Thursday, Rep. Josh Turek, D-Council Bluffs, called Republicans’ proposal a double standard for public and private schools.
Feb
2026
21
WATCH: The truth behind the Iowa GOP’s misleading school funding claims
Every year, Iowa Republicans announce a school funding increase. Every year, it doesn’t keep up with inflation. After a decade, schools are $270 million behind where they need to be. So Republicans aren’t changing the funding. They’re trying to change the story.
Feb
2026
21
WATCH: Iowa farmers say tariffs are devastating farm economy
Iowa farmers describe the growing crisis facing family farms as tariffs drive up input costs and gut export markets. “There’s no plan,” said Crawford County’s Dave Muhlbaeur, “and all the while we see farmers suffering by no fault of our own.”
Feb
2026
20
WATCH: Iowa City USPS worker asks for public’s support at Sunday rally
With contract negotiations starting up next week, the National Association of Letter Carriers is holding nationwide rallies to ask for a fair contract. Here's what they're asking for, and how you can support.
Feb
2026
20
WATCH: Farmer: Trump’s tariffs ‘undermine our rural way of life’
President Donald Trump has enacted sweeping tariffs on imported goods, igniting trade disputes and disrupting global markets. Some Iowa farmers are worried about how one president’s policy will impact rural Iowa’s future.
