Readers sound off on Iowa issues: June 23, 2026
Private school tuition increases:
“I saw Ty Rushing’s piece on tuition increases in private schools. I spent some time looking at the (sketchy) minutes of our local Catholic school in Decorah … Here’s the link to the St. Benedict’s board of education website. … The minutes indicate one of the effects of the dropping the income cap for ESA accounts was to dramatically increase the tuition to attend St. Benedict’s school.
Here is the tuition as set by the school board over the period of time of the published minutes:
For 2025-26: $8,400 (January 2025)
For 2024-25: $3,050 + 400 in fees (January 2024)
For 2023-24: $2,950 (Feb 2023)
At the ‘instruction’ of the diocese, ESAs have allowed St. Ben’s church to reduce its financial commitment for the school and shifted the school finances to rely on public money … with a goal of less than 1/3 coming from the church. …
The school appears to be taking in nearly $1.1M in state funding (137 x 7,988) going to 78 families, which represents an average of a little more than $14,000 in state money per family. There is evidence in subsequent minutes that additional ESA funds were received, so the final figure would be higher. Unfortunately, the school does not need to share its financial documents.
I still have several questions that I couldn’t answer: How widespread is the diocese ‘instruction’ to reduce church funding to their own schools? What is the extent, if any, of reduction in funding from the church? With the removal of income caps, did other private schools raise next year’s tuition as dramatically? Are tuition increases larger for rural schools or urban schools? How many students ended up receiving ESA funding? How many families does that represent? Did other non-Catholic schools shift their funding from private sources (prior to ESA) onto public sources (post ESA?)” — Steve P., Decorah
Three strikes law:
“As I imagine you saw, Gov. [Kim] Reynolds signed the bill, which I know was somewhat expected. Nonetheless, as you may have seen, her comments when asked about the monster fiscal note released after it passed left the impression that she thought the cost to implement it was problematic and that perhaps lawmakers should revisit this next session.
Of course, I realize she is outgoing, but perhaps her comments help pave the way for discussions about fixes like limiting triggering offenses to violent offenses, some type of earned time provision, and a cooling-off provision that would avoid the scenario where someone with two low-level felonies at age 18 who then is in the system the next time for another such felony at 60 does not face the 7-year mandatory minimum.” — Marc L.
Licensure correct?
“Just a FYI—Prism is not licensed in the state of Iowa to provide [substance use disorder] services. Per Iowa code, a program (not an individual) must be licensed to provide SUD services. They may want to remove that from their services before the state follows up with them. Source: I used to work in SUD licensure at HHS. They can find info about licensure here.” — Amanda M.
[NOTE: I followed up with Prism owner Hilary Johnson, who wrote this statement: “The state has already contacted us and I edited our website. We don’t provide SUD treatment. We only provide mental health therapy and one of those therapists happen to have her [Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor]. We don’t provide any inpatient, outpatient, or detox treatment, nor have we said we do. Callir provides mental health therapy for co-occuring mental health and substance use disorders.”]
Free workouts for teens this summer:
“I enjoy reading Iowa Starting Line and wanted to share some info about an ongoing program that your readers might be interested in. Planet Fitness in Des Moines is participating in the free High School Summer Pass program, which invites high school teens ages 14-19 to work out for free at over 2,900 Planet Fitness locations in the US and Canada through Aug. 31. Teens simply need to visit PlanetFitness.com/SummerPass to register for the program and start working out!
For six years, the High School Summer Pass program has helped millions of teens establish healthy fitness habits during the summer months. It gives them the opportunity to prioritize their mental and physical wellness goals during a critical time when school is out and important academic and extracurricular programs—such as sports, gym class, and after-school activities—are in recess.” — Hollie B.
No more Hy-Vee discount:
“I read that Hy-Vee Grocery stores offer a 5% discount every Thursday for ages 55 and above. … I believe I called the Hy-Vee at 4100 University Avenue in Des Moines. I was told they had no such discount. Did I misunderstand what I read?” — Barb K. [NOTE: The article is from last year, and it appears some Hy-Vee stores have changed or dropped the weekly discount.]
Donating:
“Do you have a mailing address? I would rather send by check and not Act Blue.” —Ann B. [NOTE: Yes; you may send to our COURIER headquarters here: Iowa Staring Line / COURIER Newsroom, 3229 Greenpoint Ave., PMB 532, Long Island City, New York 11101.]
“Is my contribution to Iowa Starting Line tax deductible? I know the $5 top to Act Blue is NOT tax deductible. Thanks for letting me know.” — Debra G., Cedar Rapids [NOTE: No, it is not.]
“Firewalls definitely do not engender my desire to contribute! Count me out, shameful decision on your part, precluding people from even reading what you, supposedly, have to offer. Unbelievable.” — Elizabeth S. [NOTE: You possibly mean paywall; while we do not have one of those, we do have what’s known as a hardgate, where you may need to give an email address to read some articles.]
New, confused readers, welcome:
“Who are you? I did not sign up for you. This better not charge me any fee!” — brownsm [NOTE: It’s all free.]
“Why should any of us in Iowa give a damn about a writer’s views from Long Island City, NY? The absurdity of you writing ‘inside’ stories is shocking and rather disgusting that you pretend to represent an Iowa voice. You are biased, dishonest and deceptive, imo. You are certainly no journalist!” — Sandra M., Solon
[NOTE: You may be referring to the mailing address at the bottom of our emails; that’s for the company that owns Starting Line, called COURIER, which is headquartered in New York. But us news folks all live in Iowa; I live in Waterloo, Zachary lives in Iowa City, and Avery lives in Des Moines.]
“Please put more categories on your survey for political views. At the very least, put a category for ‘other.’ Other political groups exist and deserve representation in your demographics. And it would help you with your decision making to have a wider knowledge of your viewership. It certainly discourages me from taking your political articles as seriously when I question if your organization is indifferent, merely unaware, an unintentional oversight or intentionally obtuse.” — Jennifer C.
[NOTE: Here is our About Us page, if it helps. We are a values-driven organization, not one pretending to be “unbiased,” and we welcome feedback from readers and viewers of all political persuasions.]
“I am not sure how I got singed up for this news letter but I’m a conservative and absolutely support our President.” — Lelahni P.
“Where did you get my email address. I never subscribed. I’m NOT impressed with the sample of what you are sending. Seems like one bitch session after another. Protest Here! Protest There! Whine and complain. … Wake up and smell the roses and quit your bitching! And protesting because you have no real case for much of anything.” — M. Mandeville
“Stop sending me any of your emails. I am not interested.” — Tim H.
General feedback:
“Thought I’d just check in and say: Thank you Lord Jesus for this young woman and for what she’s doing, and if she has staff members, may you keep them all safe in the palm of your hand… and I wish success, Father God, for this newsletter! amen.” — Jack C.
“When are you going to protest in the memory of Molly Tibbits, you know, the University of Iowa student who was out jogging in Brooklyn, Iowa, and raped and murdered by an [undocumented] immigrant!! Maybe you need a little education before you go protest!!” — Scott S. [NOTE: The family of Mollie Tibbetts has said repeatedly they do not want her name used to protest or attack immigrants.]
LGBTQ-IA June series feedback:
“Thanks for covering queer Iowa.” — Kate H.
“It’s amazing how many who consider themselves ‘good with God’ can harbor and write such vile stuff. Sending some purifying air and thoughts your way. For what it’s worth, this old, straight dude admires you!” — Greg C.
[NOTE: After two decades in journalism, I’ve gotten a thick skin around angry letters, so don’t worry about me. Just know that queer Iowans, including children, hear these kind of comments a lot. I post them so we all know who’s saying what out here.]
“Not interested.” — Marsha C.
“Don’t send me this crap again!!” — Julie M.
“Don’t send me these emails on people that belong in a nut ward. Please take me off your emails. I don’t believe in this stuff. My kids use my phone and I don’t want them to be introduced to this.” — Brian F.
“I am not interested in joining you or your cause. I am a registered republican voter in full support of President Trump, JD Vance, ICE, DOJ, Republican Congress Men and Women (real men and women), I back the blue, I love Turning Point and supported and mourned Charlie Kirk. I am not interested in any kind of groups of people whom clearly need mental health treatments, those who wish to assassinate our president or anyone who disagrees with ‘your people’ and disobey the laws of our country, or protests you have to offer that encourage violence and hate. I do not need any ‘education’ on topics that are clearly rantings of the mentally challenged. So, kindly remove me from any future emails, calls, texts, or door knockers as I will see this as harassment and take it to our boys in blue to end this.” — Noel S.
“I don’t know who signed me up for this b******* but I don’t give a s*** about queers in Iowa.” — Jon M. [NOTE: Asterisks are original; readers are free to generally cuss openly here.]
“STOP sending me lgbalphabet and […] rag flag bull shit!” — Jon M. [NOTE: But I will censor slurs.]
“Why don’t they stop telling everyone they are queer and then nobody would know and not discriminate against them.” — Paul B.
“Are these emails just about gay people? I don’t care about gay people. What about straight people. What do we get.” — Margaret Z.
“OMG girl, no. Not sure why I received this email, but I’m very glad there is push back against this mess. It’s okay if you want to be gay, we straight people don’t need to hear about, or see it displayed. There is only 2 sex, male, female. Not difficult to understand that. There is help out there is you aren’t happy being one of those, but sorry, you can’t change into the other. So stop this nonsense.” — Paul N.
“Please don’t push this garbage.” — Corey E.
