Newsletters
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Here’s why Nov. 1 is so important
News about and for the working class Share with a friend Saturday is Nov. 1, and Nov. 1 is when the monthlong federal government shutdown—assuming it hasn’t been lifted—will become very personal and very real. There are two big reasons for that. First: Nov. 1 is when SNAP benefits will end for 42 million…
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Iowa’s trees are at full color
Plus: Protests, rallies, and more Share with a friend Amie here. It’s Tuesday, so I’ve got protests/events, a quick authoritarianism explainer, and this week’s must-see video. But first: It’s *finally* peak fall color season up in Northeast Iowa, two or three weeks late! My backyard maple and mulberry trees. (Amie River/Iowa Starting Line) If you…
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Why it took nearly a century to bring Halloween to Des Moines
Plus: Your emails and Positively Iowa Share with a friend 🗣️ It’s Friday; time for Only in Iowa, Positively Iowa, this week’s pet photo, and of course reader replies! Amie Rivers Newsletter Editor, Iowa Starting Line Email me Why it took nearly a century to bring Halloween to Des Moines Two kids celebrating on…
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Shutdown means no pay for 10K Iowa workers
News about and for the working class Share with a friend A correction from last week: Meghan Holloran graduated from Drake University with a degree in multimedia journalism, not environmental journalism. Amie here. The ongoing federal government shutdown is resulting in lots of Iowans not being paid—and it’s not just federal workers. …
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The inflatable Antifa army at No Kings Des Moines
Plus: Protests, rallies, and more Share with a friend Amie here. Thanks again for your support of our series on Cancer in Iowa, which had previously taken over Tuesdays in your inbox. Now, we’re back with your week ahead: protests/events, a quick authoritarianism explainer, this week’s must-see video, and 3 things to know. …
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Final request, we want to hear your opinion
We need your help Dear Iowa Starting Line reader, Iowa Starting Line is committed to delivering the news and information that matters most to you and your community. We truly value your readership. As a show of our commitment, we are turning to you to ensure we’re on the right track: We’re inviting you to…
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All the No Kings protests happening this weekend in Iowa
Plus: Your emails and Positively Iowa It’s Friday, October 17, 2025. 🗣️ It’s Friday; time for reader replies! My take: We’ll be headed to No Kings protests tomorrow in Des Moines (Avery) and Waterloo (me); if you spot us, say hi! Now that our Cancer in Iowa series has wrapped, I’ll be…
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AI has wiped out a third of entry-level jobs
News about and for the working class Share with a friend Amie here. Another young college graduate from Iowa can’t find any sort of entry-level job, she told me last week. And AI may be to blame. Meghan Holloran just graduated from Drake University this May with an environmental journalism degree. She did…
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We set out to understand Iowa’s cancer crisis. Here’s what we learned
The Hot Spot: Investigating Cancer in Iowa Share with a friend Amie here. When my colleague Zachary Oren Smith and I started writing The Hot Spot: Investigating Cancer in Iowa in July, our goal was simple: We wanted to explore why Iowa has the second-highest cancer rate in the nation—and the fastest-growing one, even…
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Please, we want to hear your opinion
Take our 90-second survey to share your thoughts. Dear Iowa Starting Line reader, We want to hear from you! Our quick, 2-minute survey is your chance to tell us what matters most to you—and how we can make Iowa Starting Line even more useful. Here’s a sneak peek at some questions: Which issues are keeping…
