Amie here. Lucky me, I caught one of the viruses going around Iowa during break. It’s likely the “super flu” variant going around (not covered by the shot), as flu activity is “very high” across the state right now (and the nation in general).

I’m at about 90% better after a week, but my dad says it took him multiple weeks to get over his respiratory illness.

Have you caught a bug this year? How long did it last? Reply and tell me, I’ll post them Friday.

In this issue: Protests and rallies, news you can use, and this week’s viral post.

🖊️ West Des Moines alternative high school on chopping block: A group of parents, former students, and the community is organizing to prevent Walnut Creek Campus, an alternative high school that serves just under 200 students per year, from being closed in May. On their “Save the Walrus” group, they’re asking supporters to send letters to the school board; get more information here.

🗣️ Iowa’s politicians weigh in on Trump kidnapping the president of Venezuela in Zachary Oren Smith’s story below.

Meet a candidate:

US Senate candidate Josh Turek:

• 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, 6011 Grand Ave., Des Moines

• 7 p.m. Wednesday, 3610 6th Ave., Des Moines 

US House of Representatives 1st District candidate Taylor Wettach: 

• 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Muscatine
• 2 p.m. Saturday, West Branch
• 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Anamosa
• 4:30 p.m. Sunday, Maquoketa

Iowa House District 8 candidate Kris Williams:

• 10 a.m. Saturday, Fort Dodge Public Library

Protests and rallies:

Lunch with Southwest Iowa Indivisible: 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, Red Oak

IA: Blueprint for Clean Water Webinar: 6 p.m. Wednesday, virtual webinar from Iowa City

4 Corners Weekly Peaceful Protest: 4:30 p.m. Thursdays, near the Casey’s/Methodist Church in Panora

Vigil for Immigrant Rights: noon-12:30 p.m. Fridays, Waterloo Post Office

Weekly Jefferson Protest: noon-1 p.m. Fridays, Jefferson Square, Jefferson

FED UP Fridays: 2-4 p.m. Fridays, Des Moines

Community Rally for Democracy: 10 a.m. Saturdays, NE corner of Hickman and Alice’s Road, Waukee

Grieving for Gaza: 11 a.m. Saturdays, Decorah

Weekly Rally in the Wayside Park: noon Saturdays, Decorah

Weekly Perry Protest: noon-1 p.m. Saturdays, First and Willis by the bicycle sculpture, Perry

Weekly Peaceful Protest: 1 p.m. Saturdays, corner of Mamie Eisenhower Avenue and Story Street, Boone

Save Our Parks: 10 a.m. Sundays, Effigy Mounds National Monument, Harper’s Ferry

Henry County First Amendment Rally: noon-1 p.m. Sundays, front of the courthouse, Mount Pleasant

Huddle on the Hill: 1 p.m. Tuesdays starting Jan. 13, Iowa State Capitol

Events are sourced from mobilize.us and emailed submissions; submit an event here.

Renee Hardman earned 71.4% of the vote and ensured that Republicans would not be able to take a supermajority in the state.

Join the discussion on Instagram.

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