Newsletters


  • He’s one of the workers making the State Fair run

    Inside: News about and for the working class Share with a friend Welcome to Thursday’s Almanac, for and about Iowa’s workers.   If break time’s over, here’s the tl;dr: He helps keep the Iowa State Fair horse shows running—and he loves every minute of it Upcoming Iowa layoffs and worker news I wonder why there’s…


  • Why did this Iowa official cover for a child molester?

    Plus: Reader soundoff Share with a friend Amie here. It’s late summer, but yesterday I walked by my neighbor’s house, which was ALL decked out for fall.   When’s the best time to decorate for fall/Halloween? Reply and tell me.   In this issue: This week’s most talked–about post and reader soundoff. Amie Rivers Newsletter…


  • Iowans are asking Hinson the hard questions

    Tell us: What do you want to know before Election Day? Share with a friend   Special Edition: Reporter’s Notebook A closer look at the people, records, and political histories shaping Iowa’s 2026 races.   Three weeks ago, I published a story that started, like a lot of these things do, with a spreadsheet. I’d…


  • We taste-tested the Iowa State Fair’s best new foods

    Plus: Only in Iowa and your news roundup Share with a friend 🗣️ It’s Friday.  Time for three quick briefs, Only in Iowa, and news you can use. People really do not like Flock cameras (including Iowans). The Smithsonian needed a butter cow. Iowa’s Sarah Pratt got the call. Is there a data center proposed…


  • Been meaning to explore more of Iowa? Start here

    Plus: Reader soundoff and a moose sighting Share with a friend Amie here. I just got back from my first-ever trip to Alaska, where I finally fulfilled my dream of seeing a moose! It’s hard to follow a week of crisp mountain air, hiking, and getting up close to a glacier, but I’m jumping right…


  • 80 days to go. Get closer to our Iowa election coverage

    Tell us: What do you want to know before Election Day? Share with a friend   Special Edition: Reporter’s Notebook A closer look at the people, records, and political histories shaping Iowa’s 2026 races.   Most people have never talked to a local reporter. In fact, just 23% of Americans say they ever have. At…


  • 8 last-minute Iowa day trips to make before school starts

    Plus: Protests and reader soundoff Share with a friend Amie here. News and reader soundoff for you all today! (No more events and protests, but you can still find them here.)   And one more thing: Join Zachary Oren Smith (@zacharyorensmith) and Liz Fleming (@LizfromIowa) at Curate in Des Moines on Wednesday at 7 p.m. for…


  • Coralville pantry feeding kids over summer break

    Plus: Only in Iowa and the photo of the week! Share with a friend 🗣️ It’s Friday.  Time for Only in Iowa, this week’s photo, Positively Iowa, and news you can use. It’s International Beer Day today. Where are you celebrating? Tomorrow is International Cat Day. (Iowa has two cat cafes!) Sunday is National Book Lovers’…


  • ‘I gotta choose between gas and bread for my kids’

    Inside: News about and for the working class Share with a friend Welcome to Thursday’s Almanac, for and about Iowa’s workers.   If break time’s over, here’s the tl;dr: ‘I gotta choose between gas and bread:’ Workers on strike in Cedar Rapids Upcoming Iowa layoffs and worker news briefs Prison labor is profitable for the…


  • Obama gives Josh Turek an assist

    Plus: Events and reader letters Share with a friend Amie here. It’s August and National Black Business Month, a great reminder to spend some money supporting Black entrepreneurs in your community. (If you’re in Waterloo, I’ll shamelessly plug my favorite burger joint, Big Head Burger!) Also check out the inaugural Iowa African Film Festival in…