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 Americans, the first time it will have ever happened.

That includes 267,000 Iowans who won’t have that food benefit for themselves—40% of whom are children—starting this weekend.

Iowa’s food banks, already strapped this time of year (and because of rising food costs), are sounding the alarm.

“November is always the busiest month in the food bank and food pantry world,” said Kathy Underhill with the Des Moines Area Religious Council. “If SNAP benefits do not go out on time, in November, the capacity of food banks and food pantries will be pushed to their very limits.“

Second: Nov. 1 is also the date when Affordable Care Act open enrollment begins, and because enhanced tax credits have not been extended, premiums are rising by an average of 18%. That could mean tens of thousands of dollars more in annual premiums—leaving more than 24 million Americans, and 150,000 Iowans, with hard decisions to make.

Those health insurance premiums are, in fact, what the shutdown fight is about.

Democrats are withholding their votes to reopen the government unless the enhanced tax credits are extended. Republicans, who have never liked Obamacare yet have no plan to fix it, are so far refusing to do so.

“A dramatic increase in 2026 health care premiums for thousands of rural Iowans will crash individual family budgets and intensify the economic crisis across rural Iowa,” Aaron Lehman and Matt Russell with the Iowa Farmers Union wrote in a recent Des Moines Register op-ed.

Oh, and Iowa’s thousands of federal workers also won’t get their paychecks Nov. 1. But don’t worry: Trump and Congress will still get paid, and Trump’s gilded ballroom construction will continue!

What to do?

Contact Iowa’s two senators and your representative and give them a piece of your mind,
Donate to your local food pantry or a mutual aid group,
Buy groceries for a friend or neighbor who is losing SNAP this month.

Are you affected by SNAP benefits being cut off, or ACA premiums going up? Do you have more ideas on how to help our neighbors? Email me.

Amie Rivers

Newsletter Editor, Iowa Starting Line

Member, COURIER United (WGA East)

Email me

Nunn, Ernst beg Trump for China deal: President Donald Trump is supposed to meet with Chinese leader Xi Jinping today to iron out a trade deal after China has refused to buy US soybeans for months. US Sen. Joni Ernst, who is retiring, and US Rep. Zach Nunn, running for reelection, signed onto a letter this week asking Trump to hurry up. “Right now, bins are full, prices are underwater, and the ongoing government shutdown is adding even more uncertainty to an already tough situation,” Nunn said. “Iowa farmers deserve to compete on fair terms, and I look forward to hearing back from the administration.”
Iowa DOGE is recommending taking away workforce development at community colleges and giving it directly to companies instead.
Local unions fill backpacks for the homeless: IAM District 6 and IAM Local 254 in Des Moines filled backpacks with hygiene items, blankets, gloves, and nonperishable food to support homeless veterans in the metro. “We stand together to support those who’ve served our country, especially those facing homelessness,” said IAM Midwest Territory General Vice President Sam Cicinelli.
We’re almost definitely in a recession now.
Inflation is 3%, but Social Security is only getting a 2.8% increase next year, the Bureau of Labor Statistics announced last week.
Home Depot is letting ICE agents wreak havoc inside their stores now, in addition to their parking lots. There’s now a movement to boycott the big box hardware chain in response.
Trump’s deportations could eliminate 15 million jobs in 10 years. That’s not counting what Iowa is trying to add with its own state laws (one of which was just struck down in court). All those missing jobs, unless immigration reform is enacted, will mean the US economy as a whole will shrink.
Starbucks labor pickets are coming. If you see one, here’s what they’re about.
Shutdown = no union news: The National Labor Relations Board website database has been offline since the shutdown began Oct. 1, so workers cannot file a petition for a union or vote on one.

All information taken from Iowa Workforce Development’s WARN Act website. Read WARN Act and Iowa WARN Act criteria here.

Tri-State Envelope in Wapello closed and laid off 21 workers on Monday. They gave notice to the state the day of, in apparent violation of the WARN Act. Read more here.
Greystone Manufacturing in Bettendorf laid off 85 workers on Wednesday. They gave notice to the state six days prior to the layoff, in apparent violation of the WARN Act. Read more here.
RTX in Cedar Rapids is laying off two workers by Friday.
Dubuque Bank and Trust/UMB in Dubuque is laying off 40 workers by Saturday. Read more here.
John Deere is laying off 40 workers at Des Moines Works in Ankeny by Monday (read more here).
Wells Fargo in West Des Moines is laying off 12 workers by Nov. 14, 23 workers by Nov. 28, and one worker by Dec. 12.
Winnebago Industries is closing and continuing to lay off, including 26 workers in Charles City by Dec. 12. Read more here.
Toyota Financial Services in Cedar Rapids is closing and laying off 54 workers by Dec. 31. Read more here.

Maybe we feel helpless to prevent federal agents from kidnapping people off the streets.

But we’re not helpless. There are things we can do, and one of them is: Mess with their money.

Would you pass this newsletter along to your fellow workers?

Reach 21,000+ Iowans who care about their communities! Sponsor Iowa Starting Line’s Dec. 6 Special Edition, “How to Get Involved and Give Back this Holiday Season.” Book by Nov. 21, 2025, and save 20% off your placement.

Email advertise@couriernewsroom.com for more information.