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  • Don’t miss these Iowa Juneteenth events this weekend

    Plus: Only in Iowa and the photo of the week! Share with a friend 🗣️ It’s Friday. Happy Juneteenth! Time for Only in Iowa, this week’s photo, Positively Iowa, and news you can use. Waterloo residents are worried about a potential data center’s water and power issues.  Ames is, too, and Ames vs. Data Centers is…


  • Two Iowa queer orgs fighting the power

    Inside: Upcoming Pride events this weekend Share with a friend Amie here, and welcome to Part 3 of our June miniseries, LGBTQ–IA! Read more about the project here.   If it feels like Iowa’s elected officials don’t give a damn about queer Iowans, and are in fact taking away civil rights—well, you’re right.   But…


  • Shocker: Iowa private schools raising their tuition

    Plus: Protests and reader soundoff Share with a friend Amie here. I’m back from vacation (babysitting my adorable nephew) and trying to catch up on everything—so this’ll be quick!   In this issue: Events and protests, this week’s viral post, and new readers got kinda mad last week! Amie Rivers Newsletter Editor, Iowa Starting Line…


  • Gyms and sports where queer Iowans are welcome

    Inside: Pride Sports League and Pride Fitness Share with a friend Amie here. And welcome to Part 2 of our June miniseries, LGBTQ–IA! Read more about the project here.   Were you a queer kid who felt out of place playing sports or lifting weights? You don’t have to feel like that anymore in Central…


  • Google wants water. Iowans want answers

    Plus: Protests and reader soundoff Share with a friend Amie here. I’m currently on “vacation” (watching my nephew) by the time you get this, so feel free to email me, but know I won’t respond till next week!   In this issue: Events and protests, this week’s viral post, and reader soundoff. Amie Rivers Newsletter…


  • The Iowa nominee with deep Kansas ties

    Special Edition: The political career behind the campaign pitch Share with a friend   Special Edition: Zach’s Political Notebook 📓 A closer look at the people, records, and political histories shaping Iowa’s 2026 races.   Last week, as polls closed and the results started rolling in, it became clear that US Rep. Randy Feenstra—the Republican…


  • Best times to stargaze in Iowa this summer

    Plus: Only in Iowa and the photo of the week! Share with a friend 🗣️ It’s Friday: It’s World Environment Day and National Donut Day. Do with this information what you will. Plus: The FIFA Men’s World Cup starts next Thursday across North America. Will you be following it? Reply and tell me. Time for…


  • We went looking for Iowa’s queer community. Here’s what we found.

    Let’s Make Iowa Gay Again. Share with a friend Amie here, and welcome to our June miniseries, LGBTQ–IA!   Most of what hits the news these days about the queer Iowa community is negative. The Iowa Legislature passes new laws every year, restricting everything from books to bathrooms and doing away with housing and employment rights.…


  • Feenstra has Trump. Does he have Iowa?

    Plus: Protests and reader soundoff Share with a friend Amie here.   ☀️ It’s June; if you’re a meteorological summer girlie, happy summer!   🗳️ It’s Primary Election Day, the day when you get to pick the candidates the political parties run in November. Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. today (Tuesday,…


  • Kids eat free at these 8 Des Moines-area restaurants

    Plus: Only in Iowa and the photo of the week! Share with a friend 🗣️ It’s Friday, the last one in May! Time for Only in Iowa, this week’s photo, Positively Iowa, and news you can use. Amie Rivers Newsletter Editor, Iowa Starting Line Email me   Want your community event promoted for FREE to Iowa…