Amie here. Please don’t begin this email without silently saying the Pledge of Allegiance to yourself.

‘No War with Iran’ emergency rallies were held across Iowa yesterday and Sunday in response to the peace president’s unilateral (aka, not authorized by Congress) declaration of war with the country.

• ICYMI: The Trump administration assassinated a foreign head of state, launched a war on a country that posed no immediate threat to the US (per the Pentagon!), killed more than 100 Iranian school children, and has zero plan for what comes next in a country of 90 million people.

• If you went to a rally in Iowa, send me your photos!

The Paralympic Winter Games kick off Friday: Iowa boasts a few past gold medalists, and you will be able to catch at least one Iowan—Kevin McKee of Davenport—going for gold with Team USA (for a FOURTH time!) in sled hockey.

It’s World Wildlife Day: Learn more about 12 endangered species in Iowa and what you can do to help protect them.

Check out this petition asking US Rep. Ashley Hinson to stop funding ICE, stop her attacks on legal observers and trainings, and meet with clergy.

In this issue: Candidate events and protests, this week’s viral post, and reader soundoff.

Meet a candidate:

US Senate candidate Zach Wahls:

• 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 10, Waukee

Iowa Auditor of State candidate Taylor Wettach:

• 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 10, Waukon

Iowa Secretary of State candidate Ryan Peterman:

• 10 a.m. Friday, Keosauqua
• noon Friday, Bloomfield
• 3 p.m. Friday, Albia
• 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Ottumwa
• noon Saturday, Washington
• 2 p.m. Saturday, Sigourney
• 5 p.m. Saturday, Fairfield

Iowa House District 99 candidate Jennifer Kirkman:

• 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Burlington Public Library

Featured protests and rallies:

There’s no such thing as plastic “recycling,” explains Karin Stein, the Iowa field organizer for Moms Clean Air Force and Eco Madres (both of which are part of the Clean Up MidAm effort here).

Worse: Plastics use—and keep using—petrochemicals that could be contributing to Iowans’ health issues.

Join the discussion on

• YouTube
• Facebook
• Instagram
• TikTok

I’m learning about plastics and petrochemicals as I will be moderating a panel of experts on the topic in Washington, DC, this week. You can watch the summit live on Wednesday here!

Readers are invited to add to the conversation by emailing responses@iowastartingline.com. Please include your first name and last initial. You may also want to include your city, but that’s up to you. I may edit your content for conciseness or to correct typos.

Books you’re reading:

• “I would recommend ‘God’s Problem’ by Bart Ehrman. It is a discussion of how many writers of the Bible attempt to explain why there is so much suffering in the world. It seems there were quite a few different attempts, but none can provide answers to suffering like the Holocaust, genocide, and many natural disasters in which hundreds of thousands or millions are killed.” — Bob H.

• “I just finished reading Heather Fawcett’s ‘Agnes Aubert’s Mystical Cat Shelter.’ Readers may know her from her Emily Wilde trilogy. I’ve been reading more in the cozy genre as a respite from the, well, waves at the world.

  ‘Agnes’ is set in Montreal over 100 years ago, is filled with lovely people, cats with fully developed personalities, and a grump who is so much more than the headline fact about him. It was utterly charming while also reflecting well upon Agnes’ grief at her husband’s passing.” — Jeff S.

Medicaid and COVID vaccine:

• “I found out today the State of Iowa only provides clinics one allotment of COVID vaccine for Medicaid recipients, and when it’s gone, the Medicaid recipients have to find it elsewhere or do without. Even when the clinic has vaccine on hand, if the Medicaid allotment is gone, the Medicaid recipients seeking COVID vaccines are turned away, according to staff at UnityPoint Prairie Parkway Cedar Falls.

  The clinic says pharmacies can do it, pharmacies have varying eligibility requirements for minors, Medicaid recipients can pay out-of-pocket for the vaccine, and the expense is around $145.” — Dixon S.

Deere stock price:

• “Did you know John Deere stock went up over 60 dollars a share [Feb. 19th]?” — David G.

  (NOTE: Looks like Deere’s stock price was $593.27 a share on Feb. 18, and jumped to $662 on Feb. 19 after they released their first-quarter financial results, which showed higher income than predicted.)
  

Fish frys:

• “We just went to our local fish fry at Sts. John & Paul Catholic in Altoona, Iowa. They’ve been doing it for years and we highly recommend it. Their youth group supplies the dessert choices and they are ALWAYS yummy too.” — Clare L.

Reader feedback:

• “I noticed no prices on the fish fries.

   

  No matter how much money you give the schools, it will never be enough—they will always want more. You don’t need money for a good education. What you need is students that will learn and behave in class.” — Paul B. 

7 Brew workers:

• “I know nothing about 7 Brew. What do the workers do that are outside? No business I know that serves coffee has outdoor workers.”
  — Carol D. (NOTE: A worker from Des Moines explains in my article here.)

Effigy Mounds weekly protests hit 1-year anniversary:

• “Sunday, March 1, 2026, marks a full year of sign rally protests at Effigy Mounds National Monument. That’s 52 weeks, every single Sunday (except Easter) and a few special events on Saturdays. On some snowy, subzero, or rainy days there have been as few as three hardy souls. This week there were 15. A few times there were more than 100.

   

  Why Effigy Mounds? For many of us, Effigy Mounds is the closest federally owned land where we can petition our government for redress of grievances. This sacred land is unique and inspiring. A cross-section of America sees us there. We’ve had international travelers and folks walking and biking across the US stop to chat with us. Our National Park system has been gutted and censored by the current regime. The people who work there deserve our support. Resistance Rangers is a good source for more information and news updates on what is happening to our National Parks.

   

  What happens? We gather near the Effigy Mounds sign every Sunday from 10 a.m. to noon. Most folks bring their own signs, but there are always extras there to borrow. We are a cheerful and welcoming congregation of interesting human beings motivated by a variety of causes through support for public lands and federal workers. Clementines, cookies, hand warmers, and water are shared. There is a steady stream of traffic on State Route 76, and though we get the occasional thumbs down or coal roller, for the most part we get supportive honks, waves, and cheers. Spring, summer, fall, winter: We persist.”
  — Scott Boylen

(Courtesy of Scott Boylen)

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