It’s Groundhog Day. Again. (But he’s predicting early spring!)

It’s Friday, Feb. 2, 2024.

Hey folks, it’s Amie. Happy Black History Month!

Celebrate by reading some inspiring tales, like:

• the Black man born into enslavement in Missouri who became the richest Black man in Sioux City,
• the Black utopia built in Southeast Iowa,
• the first Black school principal in the state (in Waterloo!).

And y’all really liked those Valentine’s Day cards we came up with last week. So here are some more!

You’re the only one who can soothe my HeartBurnLoveWound.

When the Rapids are-a Rock’n…well, you know.

I’ll drop some more of my favorites next week; in the meantime, why haven’t you sent me your punniest ones?

• Like this one from Mary D.: “Come closer, my love, and sit with me on my Davenport.”

Are you planning to ride RAGBRAI this year? Tell us.

Shipley’s Terrible, Horrible,

No Good, Very Bad Day

Fairfield Republican Rep. Jeff Shipley, the architect behind some of the meanest anti-LGBTQ+ legislation in Iowa since 2020, has a sad today.

That’s because his latest anti-trans bill—which would have removed gender identity as a protected class from discrimination, and added gender dysphoria as a disability—died in subcommittee yesterday.

But it’s also because the kids, fed up with repeatedly being called mentally ill by Shipley, chanted “Fuck you, J-Dog” and gave him deuces after the bill died.

“If you wish to enjoy civil rights, being able to act and behave civilly is a prerequisite,” Shipley whined in a tweet that was immediately ratioed to high heaven for its incredible irony.

“I don’t know if you’ve bothered to read the words written on our flag in the rotunda, ‘Our liberties we prize and our rights we shall maintain,’” said Hiawatha City Councilor Aime Wichtendahl, Iowa’s first transgender female council member.

“By entertaining this legislation, this government is spitting on that flag and making a mockery of our most sincerely held values.”

Keep those protest signs ready: More anti-LGBTQ+ bills are coming, including this one that just dropped yesterday.

A quick 1-question survey to help inform our journalism.

Bartlby is an outgoing kitty who can’t resist feathers or wand toys. He was surrendered with his brother Max almost a year ago because his owners couldn’t take care of the cats anymore. But Bartlby’s a friendly boy and the fastest way to his heart is to wave a feather around. Check him out at the Humane Society of North Iowa.

Todd’s just a happy, cool guy who loves everyone he meets and hanging out with volunteers when they visit. He hasn’t met any kids and he doesn’t get along with cats. But he does get along with some dogs once he’s had the chance to meet them and see if they meet his standards. If you’ve got room in your love for an energetic, lovely guy, check him out at the Humane Society of North Iowa.

Because, obviously, this is the most pressing problem for K-12 education.

(Personally, this is my favorite definition of a woman.)

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