When do you start decorating for Halloween?
“I don’t.” — Darla K.
“October 1.” — Carol J.
“We never take it down.” — J. Swartslander
Skepticism about steel plant:
“Trump likes to make big money promises to states just before big elections that don’t materialize, and he really doesn’t care after the election is over.” — Karla O.
Why no test scores yet?
“State will not release student ISASP (Iowa Statewide Assessment of Student Progress) testing results. Usually they are released in the summer. My theory is that private schools tested poorly and they want to keep this under wraps until after the election. Has there been any information at Iowa Starting Line?” — Sarah P. [NOTE: Maybe, but it’s just as likely bureaucratic delays: The state has recently changed their Iowa State Summative Assessment in line with their “updated” academic standards.]
Open Letter to Rob Sand on bullying:
“Dear Mr. Sand, I am hopeful you will win the governor’s election. I will welcome the changes you can bring into that office. You often speak of inclusion for ‘all the people’ and it is on that platform that I write this open letter.
I want to bring to your attention the importance of transgender rights and what has been taken away. Our current governor has gone after transgender rights at the state level and more recently at the municipality level.
I am a 62-year transgender man, ironically snow plowing city streets of Des Moines and frequently Terrace Hill for a decade—if only she knew? I retired this summer from the city of Des Moines in the public works department; I was a truck driver. I was trying to last till age 65, but felt the weight of harassment and bullying from the director and administrators was too much, and so I came to my tipping point and left.
What makes my story a little different is that I was a public servant for the city of Des Moines, and so are my superiors. I will not have to face any more harassment and feel it is important that I give voice to the larger transgender community in Iowa, that bullying does exist for this vulnerable population.
Mr. Sand, please don’t waver on this subject.” — Jude C.
Feedback:
“Thank you so much for your work you put into getting Iowastartingline out and sharing with so many folks your information. I learn so much from your articles.
“I have a request. As we near the end of 2026, could it be possible to show all the layoffs that took place here in Iowa? I think it would be a great review as to what went on here in Iowa. It seems that there are those that are trying to paint a different picture.” — Tammy M. [NOTE: Good idea!]
“Thank you for your information about the Ruby Bridges lecture at Iowa City. It’s the largest attended lecture to date. She took us from being a six-year-old excited to make friends at a new school to being a mother of four sons. However, that is the shiny version of her life. She soon realized the new school was very different from her all-Black kindergarten. US Marshals drove her to and from school which was only two blocks away. She was in a classroom with just her teacher. When she ate in the cafeteria, it was just her and her teacher—no other children or adults. In her adult life, her oldest son and her brother were murdered by Black people. Through crying eyes, she told us that our current problems are way bigger than race. It’s about good and evil. Not the color of your skin.
“Thanks again for letting me know about the lecture. It was so great to see and hear from a civil rights icon.” — Cathy P.
“Hello, thank you for providing truly independent journalism in Iowa! I’m writing as a parent with a child in the Iowa City school district. I am seeking to raise awareness of a developing situation in Iowa City schools.
“You likely have heard about the financial problems our district is facing due to poor record keeping/budgeting. What hasn’t been emphasized in media outlets thus far is what the district school board is saying needs to be done to fix the budget. That is—closing K-5 schools. …
“The school board is currently pushing the need to close schools starting next school year to address long term financial pressures 1) enrollment drops and 2) reduced statewide funding for public education. However, what Iowa City is facing right now is directly related [to] administrative mistakes (and I wouldn’t be surprised if this is actually more of a case of misconduct by leadership in our school district). Long term planning should respond to long term trends – not a crisis caused by either incompetence and/or quite alarming financial choices made by our school district’s leadership.” — Mark A.
“Can we get Starting Line to post on their social media about all the events happening in Iowa to encourage early voting as part of the No Kings:Vote Early campaign we are running across the state?
“Many events are scheduled across the state for Oct 17, with additional activities planned even before that date. The goal is to create a mass movement for early voting and ensure our elections in Iowa are secure. www.nokings.org has a map showing all the event locations across the state; we would appreciate it if you shared that information with your followers statewide.” — Melissa D., Local Crow Indivisible
“Ohio State fan since playing NCAA back in 2005, and been a Democrat since I started voting, and the way things are now I’m 100% positive that’s not going change anytime soon. Trump is failing this country and it gets harder to [say] I’m proud to be an American. There’s only been a few Republicans that I actually seen care about the people and not the corporations.” — Zac M.
“I am really disappointed in this site. When I signed up, I thought I’d be receiving events and things happening around Iowa. I thought it was unbiased and not to favor a political side, which would be so refreshing. It is very biased and politically pushing opinions so I’m unsubscribing. We need information in Iowa with just the facts and let people make up their own minds.” — Julie O.
“You are not a reporter. You are a socialist influencer. You will ruin America. Socialism has never worked and never will.” — Jared P.
“Stop sending me these lies and garbage! You are totally fake news!!” — tflmeyer
“Monday is Columbus Day, get your info right before you send things out!!!” — Kurt H.
“Thank for that information. I am now informed.” — Hugh M.
“Just wanted you to know that I’ve enjoyed your newsletter. However, I’m leaving Des Moines for California in a few days, so please unsubscribe me from your mailing list! Thank you.” — Jan M. [NOTE: Might I suggest Courier California?]
