Iowa Starting Line
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Gyms and sports where queer Iowans are welcome
Inside: Pride Sports League and Pride Fitness Share with a friend Amie here. And welcome to Part 2 of our June miniseries, LGBTQ–IA! Read more about the project here. Were you a queer kid who felt out of place playing sports or lifting weights? You don’t have to feel like that anymore in Central…
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Google wants water. Iowans want answers
Plus: Protests and reader soundoff Share with a friend Amie here. I’m currently on “vacation” (watching my nephew) by the time you get this, so feel free to email me, but know I won’t respond till next week! In this issue: Events and protests, this week’s viral post, and reader soundoff. Amie Rivers Newsletter…
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The Iowa nominee with deep Kansas ties
Special Edition: The political career behind the campaign pitch Share with a friend Special Edition: Zach’s Political Notebook 📓 A closer look at the people, records, and political histories shaping Iowa’s 2026 races. Last week, as polls closed and the results started rolling in, it became clear that US Rep. Randy Feenstra—the Republican…
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Best times to stargaze in Iowa this summer
Plus: Only in Iowa and the photo of the week! Share with a friend 🗣️ It’s Friday: It’s World Environment Day and National Donut Day. Do with this information what you will. Plus: The FIFA Men’s World Cup starts next Thursday across North America. Will you be following it? Reply and tell me. Time for…
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We went looking for Iowa’s queer community. Here’s what we found.
Let’s Make Iowa Gay Again. Share with a friend Amie here, and welcome to our June miniseries, LGBTQ–IA! Most of what hits the news these days about the queer Iowa community is negative. The Iowa Legislature passes new laws every year, restricting everything from books to bathrooms and doing away with housing and employment rights.…
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Feenstra has Trump. Does he have Iowa?
Plus: Protests and reader soundoff Share with a friend Amie here. ☀️ It’s June; if you’re a meteorological summer girlie, happy summer! 🗳️ It’s Primary Election Day, the day when you get to pick the candidates the political parties run in November. Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. today (Tuesday,…
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Kids eat free at these 8 Des Moines-area restaurants
Plus: Only in Iowa and the photo of the week! Share with a friend 🗣️ It’s Friday, the last one in May! Time for Only in Iowa, this week’s photo, Positively Iowa, and news you can use. Amie Rivers Newsletter Editor, Iowa Starting Line Email me Want your community event promoted for FREE to Iowa…
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RFK Jr. in Iowa for SNAP restriction signing
Plus: Protests and reader soundoff Share with a friend Amie here. It’s 86 degrees? I’d like to 86 that in May. (It means “get rid of,” not “assassinate,” btw.) In this issue: Events and protests, this week’s viral post, and reader soundoff. Amie Rivers Newsletter Editor, Iowa Starting Line Email me Featured protests…
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12 can’t-miss Iowa summer festivals
Plus: Only in Iowa and the photo of the week! Share with a friend 🗣️ It’s Friday and Memorial Day weekend. I’ll protest the US starting wars, but I’m grateful for and mourn those who signed up to defend us and paid with their lives. This year, that includes the six Iowans who were the…
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37 private flights to Kansas while running for Iowa governor
Plus: Protests and reader soundoff Share with a friend Amie here. Memorial Day came up on us fast! (So did this summer humidity. 🥵) In this issue: Candidate events and protests, this week’s viral post, and reader soundoff. Amie Rivers Newsletter Editor, Iowa Starting Line Email me Featured protests and rallies: 📅…
