🗣️ 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 first to die in the war with Iran.

Monday also marks the day George Floyd was killed by Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin. (If you haven’t yet visited the original George Floyd Square in Minneapolis to pay your respects, go now before the city reconstructs it in June.)

Time for Only in Iowa, this week’s photo, Positively Iowa, and news you can use.

US News and World Report says Ankeny, Iowa, is the fourth best place to live in the US. Please reply with your thoughts on this.
Could we at least name this Laurens man an “honorary” Pokemon Professor?
If you’re socially anxious, like board games and live near Coralville, there’s an event for you Saturday.
People are weighing in on Reddit about the best burger in Cedar Rapids, and also the best vegetarian food in Iowa City.
There’s a new directory of Black-owned businesses in the Quad Cities to support.
More than 7,000 people have signed a petition against a proposed data center in Dubuque County.
Between a route that doesn’t exist and the AI-generated slop photos marketing it, people are starting to doubt the legitimacy of June 7’s inaugural Cedar Rapids Marathon.

Amie Rivers

Newsletter Editor, Iowa Starting Line

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12 can’t-miss summer festivals in Iowa

Each year, Britt’s Hobo Days crowns a Hobo king and queen. (Sumner Caughey/CC BY 2.0)

To list every festival happening across Iowa this summer would be nearly impossible.

But if you’re looking for a few standout celebrations, these festivals deliver everything from giant hot air balloons and jazz music to Greek pastries, Viking heritage, and even hobos.

So whether you’re planning a weekend road trip or just looking for an excuse to eat funnel cake in the sunshine, here are some festivals in Iowa that are worth adding to your summer calendar.

🚂 Hop a train to a quirky Iowa festival →

🐈 This is Dalton, who is looking for his forever home and is currently being fostered by Megan H.

“He’s a smart, friendly, goofy boy who deserves the best life with an amazing family!” writes Megan, noting Dalton also “likes to carry toys on his walks.”

Go adopt him here!

📷 Send me your photos!

Brandon Bradshaw of Sioux City stands in front of the Woodbury County Law Enforcement Center after winning his legal case. He said the verdict will help spread the message behind his artwork. (Sheila Brummer/Iowa Public Radio)

🖼️ Manhole Michelangelo freed: A Sioux City man who was charged with misdemeanors for painting over potholes and manhole covers (possibly while drinking in public) was found not guilty this month after his case got national attention.

“I want to tell everybody, thank you for the support,” Brandon Bradshaw, 47, told IPR. “I’m absolutely grateful. I didn’t intend for any of this to happen, but it did. These people in Sioux City are amazing, and I’m glad everybody got behind this.”

💻 Iowa journalist-in-training: An Iowa City West High School sophomore was selected for a highly competitive video journalism program this month. Emma Lai was selected by PBS News to attend the all-expenses paid Student Reporting Labs Summer Academy at Georgetown University in June.

Lai is the podcast editor for her school’s news site, wsspaper.com, and will be the multimedia editor and feature editor this fall.

🦌 Another albino animal! On the heels of the white buffalo calf born at the Neal Smith Wildlife Refuge last month comes the news of the all-white fawn born near Indian Hills Community College in Ottumwa last week. (What does this PORTEND?!)

The Iowa DNR is warning people not to go near the fawn so its mother doesn’t abandon it, so here’s a photo from them instead. (Don’t worry: It’s illegal to hunt “predominantly white” whitetail deer in Iowa.)