Amie here. It’s definitely winter in Iowa now!

This weekend, I learned there was a limit to my smallish, battery-operated snowblower, and that limit is 14 inches of snow. (Fort Dodge, sorry to hear you got the worst of it.)

Now that we’re all (mostly) plowed out, however, I’ve got protests/events, news, and a viral post to start your week!

Anybody out there know someone named Brex? Apparently it’s Iowa’s most unique name.

Vote today: If you live in Waterloo or Cedar Falls, there’s a runoff election to decide the Waterloo mayor, and a city councilor in both Waterloo and Cedar Falls (if you’re in their wards). More info here.

Are you an Iowa farmer or ag worker worried about cancer? Take this new survey from the University of Iowa to tell them what you know.

Democrats are investing in rural states again: About frickin’ time.

Know your status: In the 1980s, AIDS was a misunderstood, deadly disease. Today, scientific advancement has made it so survivors can enjoy long, fulfilling lives—if they’re treated in time. In honor of World AIDS Day yesterday, stop the spread by getting screened for HIV. Find your closest screening here.

Punishable by death? After Sen. Mark Kelly and other members of Congress released a video encouraging military members to uphold the law and refuse illegal orders, President Donald Trump (who is issuing such orders) called their remarks “punishable by death” on social media, and the Pentagon is now investigating Kelly.

That prompted at least one Iowan running for office—former Navy officer and pilot Ryan Peterman, who is running for Secretary of State—to call Trump’s response “dangerous.”

“As military officers, we’re taught repeatedly during our careers: you follow lawful orders, and you refuse unlawful ones. That’s not controversial,” Peterman said in a release. “We swore that oath not to any one man or administration, but to the Constitution of the United States.

Amie Rivers

Newsletter Editor, Iowa Starting Line

Email me

Candidates, rallies, and events this week:

US Senate candidate Zach Wahls:

1 p.m. today, Glenwood
2:15 p.m. today, Sidney
5 p.m. Sunday, Waterloo

US House District 2 candidate Lindsay James:

3:30 p.m. Saturday, Waukon

US House District 3 candidate Jennifer Konfrst:

2 p.m. Saturday, Hotel Ottumwa, Ottumwa
2 p.m. Sunday, Winterset Public Library, Winterset

Iowa Attorney General candidate Nate Willems:

6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 9 (via Zoom), Waukon

Protective Accompaniment at Cedar Rapids ICE office: 8 a.m. Wednesday, Cedar Rapids

Decorah Community for Immigrant Rights meeting: 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Decorah

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

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

First Friday Free Gaza Protest: 3:30 p.m. Friday, Des Moines

WinterFest: 4-8 p.m. Friday, Waukee

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

Indivisible Iowa Black Hawk County meeting: 11 a.m. Saturday, Waterloo

FIGHT—Don’t Starve! rally: noon Saturday, Des Moines

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

Indivisible 515 Holiday Gathering: 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Des Moines

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

The landscape for local news is shifting fast. At Iowa Starting Line, our commitment to you—and to Iowa—hasn’t changed.

Our end-of-year fundraising drive runs through Dec. 16, and your support keeps this work strong.

Your contribution helps us shine a light on the decisions, debates, and leaders shaping Iowa’s future. We can’t do this work without you.

Donate here

Officials at the Iowa Department of Administrative Services have denied the Satanic Temple from hosting an event in the State Capitol.

After the same thing happened last year, the ACLU filed a civil rights complaint. That litigation is still pending.

What do you think? Should the state only allow some holiday events and displays, at its discretion? Or should we allow all holiday expressions at the people’s Capitol? Email me and I’ll print your replies Friday.

How to stretch your paycheck when grocery prices are high, according to an expert

Learn how to stretch your grocery budget amid rising prices with these seven tips from a Registered Dietitian. Including meal planning, strategic coupon clipping, unit pricing, and more.

Iowa grandma worries about feeding her grandkids as cuts to SNAP loom

President Donald Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act will serve up more barriers for families to enroll in school meal programs, like SNAP. Iowa school officials are bracing themselves—hoping they can help make sure their students will have full stomachs so they can learn.