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The third time was indeed the charm for Gov. Kim Reynolds’ plan to implement a private school voucher program in Iowa. The Iowa House passed her bill 55-45 on Monday—all Democrats voted against it, along with nine Republicans—after a nearly five-hour floor debate that...
Rep. Jeff Shipley connected the murder of a Fairfield teacher to a student charged in her killing being denied a voucher to leave the public school over his family's disagreement over masking policy. During floor remarks, Shipley cited an April 21, 2021, Fairfield...
Perry Community Schools Superintendent Clark Wicks has a few thoughts on Gov. Kim Reynolds’ private school voucher bill, which Iowa lawmakers are set to debate on Monday. Wicks said the legislation, which would divert over $900 million in taxpayer funds over its first...
Gov. Kim Reynolds' private school voucher bill is ready for debate on the Iowa Senate floor after passing through Thursday’s Senate Appropriations Committee meeting on a party-line 12-6 vote. The Iowa House advanced the bill on Wednesday and both chambers are set to...
Gov. Kim Reynolds’ private school voucher bill has passed two more milestones on its way to becoming law. The bill passed through the Senate Education Committee Wednesday morning with an 11-5, party-line vote. It has not been decided when the bill will appear on the...
Iowans got a chance to comment on Gov. Kim Reynolds’ latest bill to fund private school tuition with public tax dollars during a Tuesday public hearing held by the Iowa House Education Reform Committee. House Republicans have fast-tracked the proposal so it skips...
For the third legislative session in a row, Gov. Kim Reynolds has introduced another version of her private school voucher bill, but the latest proposal is her boldest, biggest, and most expensive one to date. Reynolds was successfully reelected to another four-year...
In her Condition of the State address Tuesday evening, Gov. Kim Reynolds called for more taxpayer money to go toward a program aimed at preventing abortions. Passed last year, the More Options for Maternal Support bill (MOMs), directed $500,000 in state funding to...
As a medical doctor, new Iowa Rep. Austin Baeth (D-Des Moines) has met a lot of everyday Iowans and listened to them talk about their issues. Their stories, and those skills, are things he plans to bring to the chambers of the Iowa Legislature this year. “In general,...
Gov. Kim Reynolds used her sixth Condition of the State address on Tuesday to attack her critics, talk about her accomplishments, discuss new ways to restrict abortion rights, and laid out extensive proposals to remake public education. “Together, we have built a...
During opening day speeches on Monday, legislative leaders in the House and Senate offered a preview of their goals for education policy this year, with Republicans making it clear they intend to pass a school voucher bill. Sen. Amy Sinclair (R-Allerton), the new Iowa...
As Iowa lawmakers kick off the 2023 session today, advocates for Iowa's working people worry majority Republicans will continue to pass more legislation that will hurt working families. "I just hope there aren't any more economic attacks," said Felicia Hilton,...
With winter setting in across Iowa, some are counting the days until spring arrives. But there's also plenty of fun things to do in the winter to relieve stress and get out of the house. And, you don’t have to break the bank to do it. Here are some free things you can...
Iowa Starting Line closes out its best year yet as 2022 comes to an end, one in which we saw rapid growth and significant success with our social-first reporting efforts. Our focus in getting Iowa news journalism in front of Iowans where they're already at online—and...
Beyond being a former high school band president and someone who can still play the 1960s “Batman” TV show theme song on piano, my musical contribution to the world is minimal. Fortunately, other Iowans have provided the world with significant music contributions....
While they may not have the same level of name recognition as say The Plaza Hotel in New York or the Watergate Hotel in DC, Iowa is home to some pretty cool and historic hotels. Most of the hotels are over 90 years old and, if you’re like me and a little...
This is Adam Young, founder of a music group with several multiplatinum singles in the 2010s. He's from Ottumwa, Iowa. Which group is he part of? Owl City Black Eyed Peas twenty one pilots Slipknot This is the band fun., famous for songs like "We Are Young" and "Some...
A few days after publicly announcing he won’t seek a second term as chairman of the Iowa Democratic Party, Ross Wilburn is at peace with the decision, although with a few caveats. First of all, contrary to how some outlets reported, he is not stepping down from the...
Iowa has produced its share of singers, songwriters, performers, and famous bands. Not all of them have engaged with holiday music, but a few of the state’s big names have written or performed famous Christmas songs. Enjoy this little walk down Iowa holiday music...
Living in Iowa and the rest of the Upper Midwest comes with enjoying or surviving—depending on your perspective—long winters that come with copious amounts of snow. Yet, some winters come with massive snowstorms that dump several inches of snow and bring high winds...
True or False: "The Day The Music Died" plane crash near Clear Lake, Iowa happened AFTER the publication of Harper Lee's To Kill A Mockingbird. True False Order these Iowa sports events. Nile Kinnick receives the Heisman Award. Iowan Bob Feller became the only pitcher...
Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks registered to vote at state Sen. Chris Cournoyer's house in LeClaire on the last day for pre-registration this year, then voted in Scott County the day before the election. The Scott County Auditor's office confirmed in response to an...
Where in Iowa is Ty? <p>If you look close enough, the answer is actually in this photo.</p> Osceola Burlington Boone Mt. Pleasant Where in Iowa is Ty? <p>This one should be easy for the sports fans.</p> Ames Cedar Falls Des Moines Iowa City...
Iowans can still access abortion until the 20th week of pregnancy. On Monday, Polk County District Court Judge Celene Gogerty denied Gov. Kim Reynolds’ motion to lift the permanent injunction on her six-week abortion ban. The law was passed in 2018 but was blocked by...
Six Iowa Republican county parties have voted to censure Sen. Joni Ernst over her "yes" vote on the Respect for Marriage Act, while one of Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks' home Republican county parties is openly recruiting for a primary challenger over her same vote....
The holiday season brings light to many in various ways, regardless of which holidays they celebrate and how they celebrate them. The literal light that comes into the world during the holidays is certainly among the most special parts of celebrations. Whether you...
As 2022 comes to a close, there were more than a few stories the Starting Line team covered that collectively made us and readers go “WTF.” A lot of those stories revolved around attacks on public education, the LGBTQ community, and other marginalized groups. Some of...
Priscilla Cunningham has been living at the Salvation Army's homeless shelter in Waterloo for months, trying to get out. During the day, she calls rental companies around Waterloo, asking them about places to rent, taking down names, phone numbers, and the amount of...
For the first time, the Democratic leadership in the Iowa House will be made up of women. “I’m proud and honored to lead with these extraordinary women in the Iowa House,” said Minority Leader Jennifer Konfrst in a press release. “They are each amazing leaders in...
As the pumpkin spice craving fades with autumn waning and winter on the horizon, beer enthusiasts get ready to enjoy the warmth that comes with winter beers, leaving its summer lagers and session IPAs behind. Big-bodied winter beers typically come with various spices...
