Readers sound off on Iowa issues: May 19, 2026
On Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate turning over confidential voter rolls to Trump:
“I has horrified when I read about Pate turning over confidential voting information to the DOJ. My understanding is that that action is illegal and I don’t care how many states did turn over that information; I know that 30 states have not!” — Christine W.
On Meskwaki cultural items being returned after 150 years:
“Thank you for bringing this information on the Meskwaki tribal historical/cultural items being returned to their proper owners. All tribal items should be returned to their proper place. I am amazed that it took so long to have the items returned.” — Coleen G.
Is college still worth it?
“I did want to take issue with one bit of framing in today’s newsletter. Here is what the newsletter stated: ‘Maybe rethink college? With unemployment rising and the labor market weakening in the US, particularly for young college graduates, college degrees are losing their wage premium.’
In an era in which many on ‘the Right’ are POUNDING on colleges and universities and suggesting that students should not go (even as their children, of course, do), I would urge you to reconsider the phrasing and framing here. In particular, the idea that college degrees ‘are losing’ their lifelong earning advantage is misleading. As the link shows, the premium has come down since 2015, but it is still ‘plus 55.2%,’ the same level it was at in the late 1990’s, and higher than it had been. In the 1980’s (I’m a 1990 grad), it was actually lower than it is right now. In other words, while there is ‘more to college’ than just what one earns, there is still a very sound economic argument that college pays off very well.
I am a firm supporter of the trades, and one certainly does not have to go to college to have a good (and lucrative) life. However, given what the right wing, including here in Iowa, is doing and saying about the important work our colleges do, I would request that we not help them by reinforcing the idea that ‘college isn’t worth it.’” — Derek B.
Iowa Neighbor Network:
“I just got a text from a group called the Iowa Neighbor Network inviting me to earn ‘$250+ by talking to friends and family about what our elected officials are up to these days.’ I took a screenshot before deleting it and marking it as spam, so I can send that to you if you’re curious. It made me scratch my head a bit after your reporting on the ethanol lobbyists paying people to attend the Vance rally, is all.” — Sadye S.
(NOTE: I don’t know anything about this group, but they explain on their website that they’re paying people to talk to their neighbors about voting questions in general, and the payment is because “not everyone has the privilege to be able to volunteer.” It doesn’t appear to be connected to any candidate or party. If you know anything differently, email us!)
Iowa is failing veterans:
“For the past seven years, Iowa has ranked [as] one of the worst states in the country for veterans to live and military retires to move to. As a former Director of Veterans Affairs in Iowa, I have reached out to [US Sens.] Grassley, Ernst, [and US Reps.] Nunn and Hinson, with no return calls. From 2015-2019, all of them contacted me to help veterans around Iowa.
The Iowa Legislature failed to pass a bill recently that would have helped. I’m a registered Republican, but they all have failed us as veterans.” — Kevin D.
Feedback:
“Check your ‘Opt-in’ and ‘Opt-out’ choices for cookies. They read the
same, except where you check your choice. Can be seen as misleading. For the record, I tried to opt-out of you selling my data.” — Beth D. (NOTE: I’ve gotten a few emails that the “opt-out” feature doesn’t work for some reason, and our tech person Jimmie is working on this! Thanks to you all for letting me know.)
“I am looking forward to your articles!!” — Curtis O., Shenandoah
People who didn’t know we have an unsubscribe button:
“I think this email shows how stupid you are. Take me off your email list.” — D. Harvey
“Don’t send me this.” — Paul N.
“I didn’t subscribe to this!!!” — Tricia E.
“Please take me off your list—I have a life and it doesn’t include getting paid to go to rallies.” — Terry
Marijuana is already here:
“Iowa has reached a point where pretending cannabis ‘isn’t our issue’ is no longer honest, helpful, or safe. Adults across the state already use cannabis—quietly, cautiously, and without the protections that regulated markets provide. Meanwhile, nearly every state around us has moved forward. Iowa is the one holding still. And holding still is not the same as keeping people safe.
Adults are already consuming cannabis for pain, sleep, anxiety, or simple personal choice. The difference is that, in Iowa, they’re forced into an unregulated environment where there’s no testing, no labeling, and no consumer protections. That’s not safety. That’s neglect.
States with regulated markets have shown that testing and labeling dramatically reduce risks. Adults deserve to know what they’re putting in their bodies— potency, ingredients, contaminants—the same way they do with alcohol or over‑the‑counter medicine.
Iowa’s current approach doesn’t prevent use. It just punishes it. And the people being punished aren’t criminals—they’re workers, parents, veterans, and patients who would rather buy a clearly labeled product than guess what’s in something they got from a friend of a friend.
Criminal penalties don’t make cannabis safer. Education and regulation do. …
People are openly asking for clarity, safety, and honesty. They’re not asking for chaos. They’re asking for responsible adult use, the same standard applied to alcohol.
Iowa doesn’t need to reinvent the wheel. Other states have already shown how to reduce arrests, improve safety, and generate economic benefits through regulated markets. What Iowa needs is the courage to stop pretending.
Supporting safe adult cannabis use isn’t about encouraging everyone to consume. It’s about acknowledging reality, reducing harm, and giving adults the respect and information they deserve.
Iowa can keep ignoring the issue—or it can finally start protecting its people.” — Shawn G., Atlantic
Just passing along:
“Hope [you’ll] maybe cover our Indianola farmer’s market. I’m retired and have a Heritage Farm in Prole, where I grow all my vegetables for the market, [and] also make decorative flower pots for the market.” — Theresa V.
