Iowa Starting Line
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‘Dude needs to go back to Kansas’
Plus: Protests and lots of your letters Share with a friend Amie here. Dammit, heat wave, it is still June! (Yes, we can blame the corn—somewhat.) In this issue: Events and protests for the Fourth, this week’s viral post with Zach Lahn, and lots of different letters in this week’s reader sound off. Amie…
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Fireworks and other July 4 activities next weekend
Plus: Cute baby eagles! Share with a friend 🗣️ It’s Friday. Time for Only in Iowa, this week’s photo, and news you can use: Over 2,000 Iowans now have a “certified wildlife habitat” in their yard, and you can too. The University of Iowa tried changing a private scholarship meant for Black students majoring in chemistry or…
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Safety, community, and joy: Finding belonging in Iowa
Inside: This weekend’s Pride events Share with a friend Amie here. It’s the final edition of our June miniseries, LGBTQ–IA! I do have more videos coming, so look for those on our socials soon. Read more about the project here. This week’s theme is belonging. Whether it’s not feeling welcome at church or…
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That’s not how flesh-eating flies work, Grassley
Did the letters get even angrier this week? 👀 Share with a friend Amie here. Summer is officially solsticed! Have any fun summer plans? Reply and tell me, I need some happy in my inbox (scroll to see why). In this issue: Events and protests, this week’s viral post, and our new subscribers…
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Don’t miss these Iowa Juneteenth events this weekend
Plus: Only in Iowa and the photo of the week! Share with a friend 🗣️ It’s Friday. Happy Juneteenth! Time for Only in Iowa, this week’s photo, Positively Iowa, and news you can use. Waterloo residents are worried about a potential data center’s water and power issues. Ames is, too, and Ames vs. Data Centers is…
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Two Iowa queer orgs fighting the power
Inside: Upcoming Pride events this weekend Share with a friend Amie here, and welcome to Part 3 of our June miniseries, LGBTQ–IA! Read more about the project here. If it feels like Iowa’s elected officials don’t give a damn about queer Iowans, and are in fact taking away civil rights—well, you’re right. But…
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Shocker: Iowa private schools raising their tuition
Plus: Protests and reader soundoff Share with a friend Amie here. I’m back from vacation (babysitting my adorable nephew) and trying to catch up on everything—so this’ll be quick! In this issue: Events and protests, this week’s viral post, and new readers got kinda mad last week! Amie Rivers Newsletter Editor, 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…
