Iowa Starting Line
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We need more cancer research. What’s the holdup?
The Hot Spot: Investigating Cancer in Iowa Share with a friend Amie here. I’ve mailed out nitrate test strips to Iowans in 61 different cities; here’s a map of those cities. Glad to see folks from all around the state contributing! If a QR code isn’t your jam, here’s that response form. Now, for…
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🥘 The best things to eat at the State Fair
Your emails and Positively Iowa Share with a friend 🗣️ It’s Friday; time for reader replies! My take: I see Northern Dewatering, the Minnesota company that illegally drilled around 40 wells on the site of an under-construction Cedar Rapids data center, is being fined $20,000 by Linn County. They’re a private company, so…
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The link between pesticides and cancer
The Hot Spot: Investigating Cancer in Iowa Share with a friend Amie here. I’m putting your nitrate test strips in the mail this week, so expect that. (If you get an envelope with your address handwritten on a label and no return address, that’s from me!) Inside, you’ll find: a test strip; instructions on…
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🧈 Heading to the Iowa State Fair? Here’s what to know
Your emails and Positively Iowa Share with a friend It’s Friday, Aug. 1, 2025. 🗣️ It’s Friday; time for reader replies! My take: I hate keeping the windows closed when it’s these fall-like temperatures. But it’s only nice out because Canadian wildfire smoke is keeping the heat at bay—and bringing us that lovely fine…
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The link between Iowa’s worsening water quality and rising cancer rate
The Hot Spot: Investigating Cancer in Iowa Share with a friend It’s Tuesday, July 29, 2025. Amie here. This week’s story is on Iowa’s water quality, how it may be contributing to our high cancer rates, and what we can do about it. (Scroll down to find out how to get a free nitrate test…
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🍿 Iowa’s drive-in movie theaters and what they’re showing this summer
Your emails and Positively Iowa Share with a friend It’s Friday, July 25, 2025. 🗣️ It’s Friday! My take: Iowa Starting Line intern Victor Robbins did a phenomenal job on this story of LGBTQ+ Iowans who have fled the state they grew up in. Folks shared their stories of discrimination, dirty looks, and even…
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Investigating Iowa’s growing cancer rate
First edition of our new series, The Hot Spot Share with a friend It’s Tuesday, June 22, 2025. Amie here. You’re reading the first edition of The Hot Spot: Investigating Cancer in Iowa, Iowa Starting Line’s new weekly newsletter tackling the cancer crisis in Iowa. Why is our cancer rate so high, and growing? Who’s…
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🥞 8 classic Iowa diners worth the drive
Your emails and Positively Iowa Share with a friend It’s Friday, July 18, 2025. 🗣️ It’s Friday: A cool and less-humid end to the week—thank you! My take: I have mixed feelings on pastors now being allowed to endorse political candidates from the pulpit (story from IPR, please donate to them now that they’ve…
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🗞️ How can this newsletter better serve your community?
Take our 90-second survey to share your thoughts. Hey there, We’re taking a moment to check in. How is this newsletter working for you—and is it helping you feel more informed and connected in Iowa? Take this quick 90-second survey to tell us: What you want more of What’s not working How we can support…
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My Minnesota friends worry about Iowa. I worry about them
Plus: Protests, rallies and more Share with a friend It’s Tuesday, July 15, 2025. Amie here. I had a refreshing week off visiting friends in Minnesota, some of whom are Iowa transplants. They tell me their first-world problems (oh no, they haven’t figured out how to get dispensaries up and running yet!). They ask me…
