Acts of kindness can bring a smile like nothing else. Here are nine of our favorite everyday stories in 2025, from rescuing animals to ending local hunger.
Get in the holiday spirit at one of these tree farms in Iowa where you can chop down your very own Christmas tree.
The Meskwaki Nation worked with the University of Northern Iowa to return cultural artifacts to the tribe. The items will now be housed at The Meskwaki Cultural Center and Museum.
Officials at the Iowa Department of Administrative Services have denied the Satanic Temple from hosting an event in the state capitol. After being denied the event last year, the ACLU sued the state on the basis of discrimination.
What do you think?
Giving out free fruit for snack time. Stocking on-site pantry shelves. Coordinating after-school meals with local non-profits.
School districts across Iowa scrambled to make sure students were able to eat when there were SNAP delays due to the government shutdown and the Trump administration’s challenges to court rulings. Now, there’s a looming threat of big, long-term SNAP cuts from the Republicans signature tax and spending law—the “Big Beautiful Bill Act.” It’s poised to kick millions of people off SNAP, which is the nation’s largest anti-hunger program.
While schools are scrambling to fortify existing food programs and connect families with community resources, their work may not be enough to compensate for the potential loss of SNAP benefits, which would lead to hungry bellies in just about every classroom in Iowa.
✏️: Salina Heller
Iowa only trails Arkansas in the number of farm bankruptcies filed so far this year, a stat attributed to plummeting international soybean sales thanks to Trump’s trade wars and tariffs.
The hemp industry faces an uncertain future, thanks to President Trump's shutdown deal.
Read more here: https://iowastartingline.com/2025/11/14/shutdown-deal-means-hemp-industry-could-go-up-in-flames/
We've got a special election coming up and the candidates have...very different track records.
Election day is on Dec. 30.
Find your voting options here: http://iowastartingline.com/ballot-ready
Learn how to stretch your grocery budget amid rising prices with these seven tips from a Registered Dietitian. Including meal planning, strategic coupon clipping, unit pricing, and more.
ICE almost deported an Indigenous Des Moines woman, and the Polk County Jail that was holding her for them said it was "human error" and "silly."
