Amie here. It’s Tuesday, and I’ve got protests/events, a quick
explainer on community organizing, and this week’s viral post.

 

But first: It was so cold Monday. (pauses for “How cold was it?”)

 

It was so cold that THIS happened:

Rep. Miller-Meeks announced the town hall—her first since being re-elected over a year ago—this Sunday morning, and held it in possibly the toughest spot in her district for most folks to get to.

 

BUT HEY, she held one! Please clap.

 

One big headline: She told the audience she “[has] always supported releasing the Epstein files.”

 

Did she actually answer any of your questions? Please email me.

Candidates, protests, rallies, and events this week:

 

US Senate candidate Zach Wahls:

• 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Keokuk
• 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Fairfield

Iowa House District 54 candidate Leila Staton:

• Campaign kickoff and food/hygiene drive, 5-7 p.m. Saturday, 705 F Ave., Grundy Center

Banner Drop: noon Tuesday, West Branch

Vets Say No: Take Action to Say No War on Our Cities This Veteran’s Day: 1 p.m. Tuesday, Dubuque

 

Screens Can’t Save Us: Tooliness in the Ruins of AI: 6:30-8 p.m., 2nd floor meeting room, Cedar Falls Public Library

 

Des Moines Town Hall with Reps. Pramila Jayapal (Washington) and Mark Pocan (Wisconsin): 6 p.m. Wednesday, Des Moines

 

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

 

From DC to Iowa: How Policy Shifts Will Impact the Disability Community: 6 p.m. Thursday, Des Moines

 

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

 

18th Annual National Immigrant Entrepreneurs Summit: 8:30 a.m. Saturday, Ankeny

 

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

 

No Kings, No Hunger, Iowa City Fill-A-Truck Stop Healthcare Heist Rally: 10 a.m. Saturday, Iowa City

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

 

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

 

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

(Fifth in a miniseries explaining authoritarianism, from COURIER Newsroom’s Ryan Pitkin.)

 

Ever wonder what’s keeping this whole thing—you know, America—from just totally falling apart?

 

It’s not the folks yelling on TV or trolling online: It’s the quiet work happening in local communities like ours.

 

The real pillars of democracy aren’t marble buildings or political parties—they’re people. And keeping this country free comes down to simple, everyday acts of community engagement, volunteerism, and organizing.

 

Democracy isn’t just about elections, power, or who’s in charge. It’s all the little ways people work together to make America feel like home.

 

Yes, running for local office or volunteering at the polls are great ways to get involved, but this sort of work doesn’t always involve the ballot box. 

 

Other ways you can do your part include:

• Donating food or supplies to local pantries to support families affected by the federal government shutdown;
• Backing community projects at public parks and libraries that make shared spaces stronger;
• Attending school board or city council meetings to keep local decision-making transparent;
• Having honest conversations with people you might not agree with—and choosing respect over outrage.

These small actions may not make headlines, but together they keep the system steady.

 

Don’t leave it up to the podcasters and talking heads on the news to tell you the state of your own democracy. Look around your community—because that’s where the real work of keeping America together happens. 

A federal judge has dismissed a subscriber’s lawsuit against the Des Moines Register and pollster Ann Selzer for a pre-2024 general election poll that predicted Kamala Harris would win Iowa.

The lawsuit is virtually identical to one filed by President Donald Trump, with both claiming the poll was fraudulent and “fake news.” The court decided in this case that the subscriber’s claims did not have any legal standing, and instead made such claims using “mere buzzwords and speculation.”

The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE), Selzer’s legal representation, is also representing her in the lawsuit brought by Trump. The organization believes that case will reach the same conclusion.

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Iowa Starting Line
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101 Avenue of the Americas
8th and 9th Floors
New York, NY 10013

 

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