Amie here. Happy National Taco Day, go get those discounts!

Not into tacos? How about voting? It’s National Voter Education Week, and I’ll be popping in some helpful information to get you ready for Election Day in each edition.

In this issue:

News bites, including two Iowa teachers who won big
This week’s most talked-about post: When should the pumpkins come out?
Readers share opinions on daylight saving time, the steel mill, and more

Amie Rivers

Newsletter Editor, Iowa Starting Line

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It’s Banned Books Week! Tell me which one you’re reading.
The steel plant company got its money from us—but not without pushback.
Fatou Traore‘s family and supporters will push for her immediate release and deportation to Sierra Leone on Wednesday morning; learn more here.
ICE is not publicly sharing the locations of people in detention centers, making it harder for their families and lawyers to find them.
Trump wants only white “refugees” from South Africa coming to America.
The power of prayer works? (If you were praying for her to live.)
Google’s made everyone on Earth mad, so they’re now going to try to put data centers in space.
Looking for a unique way to spend an afternoon? These three cat cafés in Iowa let you relax and spend time with adoptable cats.
Bald eagles return to the Mississippi River each winter. Here are some of the best places to spot them around Dubuque this eagle-watching season.
We’ve gathered nine of the best places to visit for happy hour in Iowa City to help alleviate some of the strain on your wallet.
CLARIFICATION: There were TWO Iowa teachers who won $75,000 for their schools in the Harbor Freight contest—congrats also to Grant Engel, a construction teacher at Central Lyon Community School District in Rock Rapids!
Sunday is National Coming Out Day, so here’s your regular reminder: I’m gay, I proudly support my LGBTQ+ brethren, and you’ll continue to see that reflected in this newsletter. I love all y’all, out or closeted!

“I Voted” stickers rest on a vote tabulator on Election Day. (Cody Scanlan/The Register via Reuters Connect)

It’s National Voter Education Week, so consider this your Iowa voting check-in!

Here’s how you can make sure you’re registered to vote.

Here’s when all the voting deadlines are (early voting, registering in advance, etc.).

Not sure who’s all on your ballot? Learn about Iowa’s key races for House, Senate, the governor, and more!

Already know it all? Pass along this first-timer’s guide to voting in Iowa.

Your free voter hub →

You’re election-ready. 🙌 Now help a friend get there, too—forward this email before Nov. 3.

When does Halloween season start?

It’s October now, but I have been noticing decorations in Waterloo yards since last month. (I’m pretty sure one of my neighbors had her fall stuff up in August!)

That made me wonder: Do folks have strong feelings about when to decorate?

Apparently so!

Join the discussion on ⬆️ Instagram or ⬇️ Facebook.

News about and for Iowa’s working class

Work touches nearly every part of life in Iowa—yet news about job cuts, pay, workplace safety, and labor laws is often scattered or hard to follow.

This free newsletter brings it together in one place.

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Readers are invited to join the conversation. Please include your first name and last initial; your city is optional. Responses may be lightly edited for length, clarity, or typos.

✏️ Send me your takes

“This, to me, is a mirage Trump is using for the midterms, expecting Iowans to pay for it in taxes gifted to the wealthy oligarchs. I’m really more interested in how much Trump makes on the grift. Iowa will be the loser here.” — Karen B.

“I would LOVE to stay on standard time/sun time/God’s time all year long. Research has proven it is so much better for our bodies…and I need the sun to get up in the morning!” — Mary A.

👀 Read more of your letters here →