It’s Friday, Dec. 8.

Hanukkah began last night, which means the Holiday Season (or is it December to Remember? War on Christmas?) has officially arrived!

Whatever your level of Grinchiness or cheer, we found a few ways to brighten your spirits as the cold and darkness of winter descends:

The sights: From Altoona to Ottumwa, check out these 10 Iowa light displays.

The smells: Forget that scented pine candle; pick out your own pine (or fir, or spruce) at an Iowa Christmas tree farm near you.

The thoughts that count: Looking for an Iowa-made gift? How about one from an Iowa business that fits your values? Check out our gift guide here (with a big assist from Starting Line fans!).

As the festivities, Friendsmas gatherings, and parties commence, I hope you’re able to gather with your loved ones (virtually counts!), remember happy memories of those who have passed on, and even find a little magic in the season to get you through another Iowa winter.

Whether you’re able to give to charity today, or want to have a handy list of nonprofits for the future, bookmark this amazing thread of Iowa organizations helping Iowans.

(It has to be one of our most popular questions yet!)

What’s an anti-abortion center, and why is taxpayer money going toward them?

Anti-abortion clinics, previously known as crisis pregnancy centers, are not licensed medical centers, and do not have trained medical professionals on staff. Their main goal is to deter patients from getting abortions, or stall care for long enough so that a patient is no longer able to get an abortion.

Yet, in 2022, the Iowa Legislature passed the More Options for Maternal Support (MOMS) Act, and provided $500,000 to fund them—and this year, Gov. Kim Reynolds advocated allocating $2 million more in taxpayer money to these anti-abortion centers.

Nikoel talked to real OB-GYNs about why pregnant Iowans shouldn’t seek care there.

Want to support actual reproductive care in Iowa? Learn about the Iowa Abortion Access Fund and how to help Iowans in need here.

Authors of young adult books being banned in Iowa sue state over law 

Publisher Penguin Random House, joined by Iowans and four authors, filed a lawsuit against Iowa Republicans’ law banning books, arguing the vague language violates the First and Fourteenth Amendments.

Watch bestselling author of novels like “Speak” and “Shout,” Laurie Halse Anderson, explain why she joined the fight.

She’s not the only one: “Last Night at the Telegraph Club” author Malinda Lo says her family escaped China because there’s no freedom of speech there, and doesn’t want to see the same thing happen to the US.

We’re wrapping up our end-of-the-year fundraiser drive and looking to raise $2,346 by next Tuesday, Dec. 12.

Why donate? I thought I’d share one reason: Starting Line spotlights stories, like this one, that others don’t—and tells them in ways that others won’t!

We can only keep doing that kind of work with your help. (If you need our address to send a check instead, email me!)

Do you want a calm, gentle giant whom the shelter describes as perfect? Then check out Jasper, a sweet kitty who loves to hang out with his people and to play. He’d love cat friends, but he’d prefer any dogs leave him alone if they’re around. If you’ve got a mature home without young kids, Jasper may be the perfect guy for you. Check him out here.

Lenny is the perfect mixture of active and chill. He loves to be outside and move but he also loves snuggling up with his people. This guy would be happiest in a mature home without cats, and he might be a little awkward at first with other dogs so he’d need to be introduced first. But if you’ve got a need for a sweet snuggle bug, check him out here.

All of those conspiracy theorists who thought there was/is massive voter fraud happening (there is not) have got to be happy that Iowa is actually catching people who fraudulently voted—right? Right? (Bueller?)

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