Search
A small eight-person police department in western Iowa just won what's believed to be the largest collectively bargained wage increase in Iowa history. The Carter Lake Peace Officers Association, the union covering the eight police officers of the City of Carter Lake,...
Halfway through the Iowa Legislative Session, Iowa Republicans—who hold large majorities in the House and Senate—have introduced more than 30 bills that target Iowa's LGBTQ community with a specific focus on trans children. Some of the students who would be affected...
Sure, you probably know about Iowa's only US President. But did you know his wife was an amazing humanitarian (and cool as hell)? Credited with being the person who started Girl Scout cookie sales nationwide, Iowa native and First Lady Lou Henry Hoover also traveled...
As LGBTQ Iowans and supporters watched from the Iowa House gallery on Wednesday, most Republicans in that chamber signed off on a bill that strips parents of transgender and non-binary kids of the right to make healthcare decisions for their own children. The House...
Iowa doesn't have the tallest buildings in the world (or country, or region), but we do have a few skyscrapers. Most are in Des Moines, Iowa's capital and largest city (but not all). One was even (for a time) the tallest building in the upper Midwest! Here are the top...
Thousands gathered in front of the Iowa Capitol in Des Moines on Sunday afternoon to push back on the discriminatory, homophobic laws moving through the Iowa Legislature. Speakers spoke out against bills like the gender-affirming care ban, bills forcing schools to out...
Are you feeling adventurous? How about Iowa adventurous? Here are some Iowa-made products you should try for an authentic Iowa foodie experience. (Already tried them? Tell us what you think in the comments.) Brown Dogs Farm Located outside of Norwalk and established...
Iowa House Republicans introduced a sweeping abortion ban on Tuesday that only allows the medical procedure to be performed under rare circumstances. The 53-page bill does a number of things, including: Defines life at fertilization, and uses the term "unborn child"...
Ah, bridges: Those important infrastructure pieces that get people across Iowa's many ravines, rivers, and sometimes lakes. While they may need more work (like a lot more), at least you don't have to ford the river in your Subaru. Some Iowa bridges are even worth a...
While speaking at an Iowa Senate subcommittee hearing on a proposed "bathroom bill" on Tuesday, Aime Wichtendahl of Hiawatha took aim at all of the anti-trans and anti-LGBTQ bills Iowa Republicans lawmakers have been honed in on this session. "I've come here to voice...
Iowa Senate Democrats want to prove the saying, “There’s no such thing as a free lunch,” wrong when it comes to public school students. On Wednesday, 13 of the chamber’s 16 Democratic senators introduced SF 303, which would allow all Iowa public school students to...
Whether you are looking to try out a new restaurant near home or visiting the Hawkeye State, you’ll find some great places to enjoy a good meal. Iowa doesn’t get the attention it deserves for its food, but it has some famous restaurants.
Could Iowa finally get on board with the Midwest Interstate Passenger Rail Compact (MIPRC)? A new legislative bill hints at that possibility. An Iowa House Transportation Committee hearing was held on Tuesday for HSB 132, a bill that would allow the Hawkeye State to...
This month, UE Local 896, The Campaign to Organize Graduate Students (COGS)—the labor union representing nearly 2,000 graduate teaching assistants and research assistants at the University of Iowa (UI)—is beginning contract negotiations with the Iowa Board of Regents...
Concerns were raised today about a House Republican bill that would create a system to report educators for teaching banned "divisive concepts" from a new law—which can include forms of racism and sexism—in Iowa public schools and that would also levy fines on school...
Iowa House Republicans would make it a felony to “manufacture, distribute, prescribe, dispense, sell or transfer” abortion drugs in Iowa. According to House File 146, filed Monday, the bill will not include penalties for the women who take or obtain the pills, and it...
Gov. Kim Reynolds’ staff estimates Iowa taxpayers would spend $341 million annually to pay for students’ private school tuition and related expenses once her voucher plan is fully phased in starting with the 2026-27 school year—and over half of that could be doled out...
Adam Zabner only thought it was natural that what he thinks is Iowa’s youngest house district be represented by someone who is close in age to its primary constituents. The 23-year-old is the new representative for Iowa House District 90 in Iowa City, which includes...
As the wise man 50 Cent once said, “Take me to the candy shop.” Fortunately, Iowans do not have to look far to find one in the Hawkeye State. Whether you are a chocolate connoisseur, a hard candy cruncher, a sucker for soft candy, or a gummy groupie, there is an Iowa...
The wife of a Woodbury County Supervisor and a well-known local Republican activist in her own right has been charged with 52 federal indictments related to voter fraud. According to federal court documents that were unsealed on Thursday, Kim Phuong Taylor, 49, of...
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...
Ninoska Campos is a force to be reckoned with. She speaks little English, but is a native Spanish speaker—a language spoken by many immigrant meatpacking and farm workers in many southeastern Iowa manufacturing towns. Over the past year and a half, she has rallied...
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...
Iowa remains one of the states least friendly to labor organizing and worker power. But the cracks are starting to show. Iowa workers filed 14 representation cases with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) in the 2022 fiscal year, an increase of 180% compared to...
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...
