Local
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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? Briefly, the holiday is a celebration of the legends of…
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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.
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Iowa is in its longest drought since the 1950s. Here’s why it’s ‘odd’
Iowa has seen some kind of drought conditions in the state for 174 weeks—just under three-and-a-half years—making this the longest drought Iowa has had since the 1950s. But Iowans haven’t seen widespread water restrictions or serious crop failures. So is there anything to worry about? “It depends on who you are and where you are,”…
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If you want to retain Iowa teachers, vote in school board elections
Want to stop the mass exodus of quality teachers from leaving Iowa? Want to make sure they’re not only paid fairly, but feel like their district has their back? Turns out, your vote on Nov. 7 could mean the difference between a school board that cares about teachers and a board that just wants to…
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Iowa City mobile home residents protest skyrocketing rent
When Judy McKillip and her husband neared retirement 24 years ago, they bought a mobile home in Iowa City’s Modern Manor and found a close-knit community. “It was good to stay among friends,” McKillip said. “We played cards together, we bowled together. It was a good group of us all together.” She said Modern Manor’s owners…
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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 state, these awfully frightful attractions will leave…
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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 accomplishments of the Native American, First Nation, and Indigenous peoples. It’s also a day for visibility for…
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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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Iowa native celebrates new deal after 5-month writers’ strike
After 148 days on strike, Hollywood writers—including Iowa native Romen Borsellino—reached a tentative agreement with the major studios last week that Borsellino told Starting Line was “an incredible deal” for Writers Guild of America members.
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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:
