News
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Des Moines worker moving to Germany for better health care
I was chatting with Matthew Peirce about being laid off from his job at a small insurance company in Des Moines recently, when he dropped this bombshell: “I’m moving to Germany,” he said. “I’m done.”
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Photos show Iowa legislative pages stuffing campaign mailers for Dubuque Republican Rep. Jennifer Smith
As the Iowa Legislature heads for overtime, one member of the Iowa House is already gearing up for her reelection. And photos shared with Iowa Starting Line show she’s putting pages to work stuffing mailers. Iowa Starting Line obtained photographs that appear to show Iowa legislative pages stuffing reelection campaign mailers for state Rep. Jennifer…
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Wahls releases economic agenda targeting corporate power, Iowa costs
Zach Wahls released a sweeping 10-point economic platform targeting corporate monopolies, billionaire tax breaks, and the rising cost of housing, childcare, and wages. Iowa Sen. Zach Wahls, a candidate in the Democratic primary for US Senate, is talking a lot about the cost of fire trucks. “In the last decade the price for a new…
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Iowa voters say clean water is a top issue. Ashley Hinson has voted to limit clean water protections
Iowa voters say clean water is a top priority. As US Rep. Ashley Hinson campaigns for Iowa’s open US Senate seat, her voting record shows a consistent pattern of opposing federal clean water protections. It was billed as a common-sense fix for bureaucratic red tape. When US Rep. Ashley Hinson voted for the PERMIT Act…
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Rob Sand unveils cannabis legalization plan, a potential solution to Iowa’s $1.4 billion budget hole
Iowa faces a serious budget challenge. This 4/20, Democratic candidate for governor Rob Sand wants the state to stop sending cannabis tax dollars to Illinois and Minnesota—and instead put it to use for Iowans. Democratic gubernatorial candidate Rob Sand announced a plan Monday to legalize, tax, and regulate adult-use cannabis in Iowa. Sand framed the…
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Opinion: How Rob Sand flipped two key advantages Republicans held in Iowa
Iowa Starting Line founder Pat Rynard breaks down how Rob Sand spent years taking two of Iowa Republicans’ biggest political advantages away from them — and why that is pivotal in his race for governor. Five years ago, I invited Iowa’s top Democratic leaders and candidates to a presentation to raise the alarm on the…
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Ashley Hinson, Iowa GOP accepted donations from megadonor accused in 2019 sex trafficking sting
Billionaire John W. Childs is back to seeding Republican campaigns with large checks after his 2019 solicitation charges related to a sex trafficking sting were dropped. Records show his deep pockets are helping Iowa’s Congressional delegation as they prepare for the 2026 midterms. [Update: After publication, a reader pointed out that John Childs of Vero…
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207 UnityPoint West Des Moines workers losing jobs: News and layoffs April 16, 2026
UnityPoint announced Wednesday it would lay off 207 information technology workers in West Des Moines, saying it was outsourcing that work to save money.
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The job market sucks: Here’s how Iowa colleges are helping students land good jobs after graduation
It’s a tough job market for recent college graduates right now. But at least two colleges in Iowa are trying to help bridge the workforce gap.
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Iowa minors could need parental approval for cancer-preventing HPV vaccine
The Iowa House passed a bill requiring parental consent for minors to receive the HPV vaccine, which protects against an STI that causes cancer.
