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This Is Going to Age Well
Maria Torres
READ

What I Learned From Dolly Parton
Dave Price
READ

We Need Some Empathy Cheeseburgers: Republicans Know What They’re Doing as They Work to Keep Empathy Off the Menu
Matt Russell
READ

Give Josh a Shot
Chip Albright
READ

Back-to-School Special Edition: What a Christian Nationalist History Class Looks Like
Daniel Henderson
READ

Common Ground: USS Iowa SSN-797
Christie Vilsack
READ

Former KCCI Meteorologist Chris Gloninger Ties Climate to Nepal Disaster
Julie Gammack
READ

A Back-to-School Potluck of District Changes
Jeff Morrison
READ

Opinion: The Problem With Black Women
Shade Burgs
READ

A Disturbing Ad That Made It Online Is Just Par for the Course
Kitty Sheehan
READ

Edith Halpert, a Strand in the Web Around Museum Matrons
Tilly Strauss
READ

Agenda Announced for the Annual Okoboji Writers’ and Songwriters’ Retreat
Julie Gammack
READ

College Football Really Starts for Real This Week, With a Really Lousy Schedule
Mike Hlas
READ

Podcast: How Simpson College’s Student Newspaper Led Coverage of a Deaf Football Player Who Fought to Regain His Interpreter
Savannah Richardson and Lyle Muller
READ

Torbstradamus Has Seen the Future. It’s 9–3
Tory Brecht
READ

Volleyball 101: As the Sport Grows, New Fans Come Along for the Ride
Jane Burns
READ

Ever Wonder What It’s Like to Be Assessed for Neurodivergence?
Christina Fernandez-Morrow
READ

A Warning to Students From a Teaching Professor of Creative Writing About Using AI
Arnold Garson
READ

Insects in Need of Saving
Hannah Breckbill
READ

Peeling Back the Years, Looking for Friends
Larry Lehmer
READ

In the Midst of Their Dying—Death Reminds Us That Life Is Precious
Joan Zwagerman
READ

Farewell, My L.T.L. Friend
Kurtis Meyer
READ

Dead Chicken on a Dot Matrix
Patresa Hartman
READ

Amazing August: I Attended Five Midwest State Fairs
John Naughton
READ

Altitude Sickness
Clare Culver
READ

When Story Feels Impenetrable
Macey Shofroth
READ

A Tough Week for Kathryn Severing Fox—and Yet, a Song Emerges
Kathryn Severing Fox
READ/LISTEN

A Pirate-Flag-Bearing Tractor in an Age of Autonomous Farm Machines
Tej Dhawan
READ

Not My Circus, but Quite a Show
Vicki Minor
READ

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Our Politics Needs a Manure Digester Pronto
Art Cullen — READ

The Iowa Mercury Talks with Iowans for Decency Leader About Video Spotlighting Hinson Wealth
Douglas Burns — READ

The Iowa Mercury Reports That Iowa U.S. Senate Candidate Thomas Laehn Would Serve Just One Six-Year Term if Elected
Douglas Burns — READ

More Iowa State Fair Politics, New Campaign Ads: August 24 Edition of “KHOI’s Capitol Week”
Laura Belin — READ

Republicans Seem Increasingly Worried About Iowa’s U.S. Senate Race
Laura Belin — READ

We Are Flocked
Joan Zwagerman — READ

What Did the Iowa Down Ballot Podcast Crew Learn from a New Statewide Poll? And Hear from a New Voice on This Week’s Show
Dave Price — READ

Follow the Money!—Joe Maxwell with the Farm Action Fund on Collusion, Corruption, the Iran War, Tariffs, Corporate Power, Imported Beef, Iowa Candidate Endorsements and More
Robert Leonard — READ

Chuck Grassley Complains About ‘Socialists’ and the U.S. Debt. But He’s the One Who’s Sat in Congress for Five Decades While Our Fiscal Challenges Have Festered
Ed Tibbetts — READ

Four Years, 200 Columns. And Still So Much to Say.
Dave Busiek — READ

On the “Center for Intellectual Freedom”
Gordie Felger — READ

With All That Money, Are They Really Addressing Voters’ Concerns?
Dennis Goldford — READ

Meteorologist Chris Gloninger and Julie Gammack talk about Disaster in Nepal — READ

As Another Football Season Begins, Watch the Sidelines & Stands, Too!
Chuck Offenburger — READ

Dolly Parton Is America’s Auntie
Abena Sankofa Imhotep — READ

Swander’s Coop Drama: Upcoming Performances and Video
Mary Swander — READ

Corn Moon: A Hometown Poem (and an Invitation to My Art Show Sept. 3)
Suzanna de Baca — READ

Songwriter Kathryn Severing Fox — READ (and listen)

The Okoboji Writers’ and Songwriters’ Retreat Agenda, Julie Gammack — READ

The Painting of Rural America that Became the Talk of the World Arnold Garson — READ

Deaf Simpson College Football Star Wins Fight to Keep Access to Longtime Interpreter
Savannah Richardson, Emerging Journalist Corps — READ

When We Can’t See the Forest for the Trees… How the Redwoods Remind Us of Our Connectedness
Cheryl Tevis — READ

TV Ad Has It Wrong on Imitating Parents
Rick Morain — READ

Guest Post by Ukrainian Writer Sergey Maidukov: Habits of War
Michael Judge — READ

Dead Ball: What Deflated Des Moines’ Soccer Plans?
Rick Jost — READ

Built to Perform—or Built to Fail?
Ken Chester — READ

Cattlemen Horsewhip Trump’s Beef Plan
Rick Jost — READ

The Leaders in the Middle: Why AI Transformation Depends on Them
Suzanna de Baca — READ

What is Leadership? Julie Gammack — READ

A Sheep Shot at Sleep
Vicki Minor — READ

Do SOMETHING, right?

The summer malaise is coming to an end. Labor Day traditionally marks the moment when voters begin paying closer attention.

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Iowa Boy Chuck Offenburger

Another Friday noon in the “Office Lounge”

JEFFERSON, Iowa — How about a good lunch-time chat today…

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7 days ago · 1 like · Chuck Offenburger

This is a monthly gathering for paid members of any Iowa Writers’ Collaborative members. Read the details in Chuck Offenburger’s column above.

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Herb Strentz is a longtime Iowa journalism educator, writer and prominent advocate for open government. He included this note with his paid subscription to the Iowa Writers’ Collaborative. Thank you, Herb!

Would you like to be like Herb? If you tell us why you support this effort, we’ll share your comment, too.

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Here is today’s Flipside edition.

Our Independent Streak Is Showing in Our Politics
Kyle Munson — READ

I Need Help Understanding Iowa
Maria Torres — READ

The Trump Administration Legacy Will Be Corruption—Corruption and More Corruption: 90 Instances of Scandal and Corruption (In 18 Months)
Daniel Henderson — READ

Autumn Has Arrived: Flowers, Fungi, an Artifact, and Much, Much More …
Robert Leonard — READ

COMMON GROUND: FIGHT IOWA!
Christie Vilsack — READ

Cresco, Howard County ‘Rock It’ for Vets
Pat Kinney — READ

A Homecoming for an Iowa Musical Legend
John Naughton — READ

Happy Birthday, Plymouth Place Jam!
Chip Albright — READ

“Grab Your Board …”
Larry Lehmer — READ

Hawkeyes Have Booze and Beer as Their Partners, Apparently Part of Being a Functioning College Athletics Program in 2026
Mike Hlas — READ

You Keep the Professor. I’ll Take the Big Groundhog.
Tory Brecht — READ

Iowa State Football Waits for No One as Fall Camp Winds Down
Rob Gray — READ

Words and Concepts Worth Knowing, at Least Knowing About …
Kurtis Meyer — READ

Marathon Training Diaries: Week 3 (Optimal Dose)
Clare Culver — READ

I Lost the Biggest Soccer Fan I Ever Knew. So, I Brought Him With Me to World Cup 2026 in Ways I Didn’t Expect.
Christina Fernandez-Morrow — READ

The Positive Side of ‘What If’: What If It All Goes Right?
Kelsey Bigelow — READ

An Unexpected Birthday Surprise
Julie Gammack — READ

From Memories to Hopes & Dreams
Tej Dhawan — READ

The Iowa Writers’ Collaborative

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The Iowa Writers’ Collaborative links professional writers and readers who share an interest in the state.

When a Softer Touch Means Electric Shocks: Causing Immigrants Trauma Is Bogusly Framed as Protecting Others’ Safety
Rekha Basu — READ

Iowa’s Much-Ballyhooed Property Tax Cut Is Already Failing to Live Up to Expectations
Ed Tibbetts — READ

Parts of the Western United States Are at Risk of Running Out of Water and Electricity
Christopher Gloninger — READ

How Welcoming to Immigrants Were the U.S.—and Specifically New York City—in 1936? This Issue of The New Yorker Answers That.
Kitty Sheehan — READ

2028 Independent Presidential Candidate Diane Sare Has a Message for Black Voters: Look Beyond Democrats and Republicans
Dana James — READ

What Does a New Poll Signal for November’s Elections? And Why Did So Many Trump Officials Come to Iowa? Our Iowa Down Ballot Podcast Contributors Have Some Thoughts.
Dave Price — READ

New Day Iowa and the Iowa Creator Corps: How the Iowa Creator Corps Is Using Social Media, Storytelling and Trusted Voices to Reach a Generation Legacy Media Often Misses
Robert Leonard — READ

Des Moines School Officials Met the Requirements of Iowa Law When They Published Employee Salaries—but They Certainly Missed the Point of That Requirement
Randy Evans — READ

Commies in the Cornfields? Henry Wallace Was Our Most Prominent Socialist and Capitalist
Art Cullen — READ

“America First”—America’s Most Enduring Political Sideshow: MAGA Is Using a Century-Long Rorschach Test
Daniel Henderson — READ

Politics at the Iowa State Fair: August 17 Edition of “KHOI’s Capitol Week”
Laura Belin — READ

Reynolds’ Legacy Harms Iowa
Letters From Iowans — Gordie Felger — READ

Anniversary Rekindles Thoughts of Tammy Zywicki’s Unsolved Murder
Lyle Muller — READ

Even an Informal Religious Test for Office Violates the Principles of Our Constitution
Dennis Goldford — READ

Dave’s Not Famous—Yet! It’s Time to Make Sure He Needs No Introduction.
Cheryl Tevis — READ

The Weight of August
Kali White VanBaale — READ

Did You Know? Council Bluffs Is Union Pacific’s Mile 0
Maria Torres — READ

A “Cinnamon Roll Hall of Fame”? This year’s State Fair grand champion, Anita Van Gundy, should be in one, says “celebrity judge” Tom Vilsack.
Chuck Offenburger — READ

The Man Who Saved the Lives of 1 Billion People, and Two Other Short Stories
Arnold Garson — READ

Iowans Who Made America and the World a Better Place
Arnold Garson — READ

Proposed Constitution Amendment Is Un-Iowan
Rick Morain — READ

How Opportunities in Small Communities Guided Oelwein’s Class of 1966—and So Many Others
Chuck Offenburger — READ

PODCAST: Behind the Scenes of the Lansing, Iowa, Bridge Story
Alex Burdzy and Lyle Muller — READ

Death of a Salesman (Birth of a Believer)
Chip Albright — READ

The History of American Bandstand in Eight Paragraphs
Larry Lehmer — READ

Embodied Creativity: Reclaiming Our Humanity
Nicole Baart — READ

Tic-Tac-Toe in the Park: A Hometown Poem
Suzanna de Baca — READ

Coop Drama Tours Midwest and Ireland
Mary Swander — READ

How One Idea Sparked The Last Candlemaker
Vicki Minor — READ

Why Is the “Nuclear Option” the First Move in Dialogue?
Daniel Finney — READ

The Stick Shift Is Nearly Dead—and I’m Not Ready to Let Go
Ken Chester — READ

Welcome to the Alphabet Soup Diaries, a New Series for High-Achieving Women Who Learned to Earn Their Worth Through Perfectionism, and Neurodivergent or Highly Sensitive Adults Who Were Missed, Mislabeled, or Praised for Coping
Christina Fernandez-Morrow — READ

An Unexpected Birthday Gift
Julie Gammack — READ

Pentagon Audit List Names Drake. Plus: Deere Gains From Data Centers
Rick Jost — READ

One Mile at a Time: Endurance, Confidence, and the Long Game
Suzanna de Baca — READ

Fired GM Engineer Alleges Job Review Method Is Illegal, Sues
Phoebe Wall Howard — READ

Iowa Writers’ Collaborative

If you value independent, local news and commentary, please consider becoming a paid subscriber to any of our members. It makes a difference.

Did you see the roundup from our midweek edition?

This post is a compilation of columns by members of the Iowa Writers’ Collaborative, published every Sunday and Wednesday.

Our midweek edition leans toward feature stories and the arts. On Sundays, look for a big dose of stories in the Public Affairs category.

More than 60 writers are part of this loosely organized group of professional journalists and authors who share an interest in Iowa.

We’re glad you’re here.

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Rusty Martin Leaves Us Talking, as Always
Lynn Hicks — READ

The 1996 4-H Ribbon Experiment and a Connection Spanning Generations
Jeff Morrison — READ

Going the Distance of Time at Field of Dreams
Pat Kinney — READ

Hoth Put All His Chips on the Table for Waterloo
Pat Kinney — READ

Creative Arts & Entertainment

Minnesota Children’s Author Keenan Jones to Appear at Des Moines Willkie House
Abena Sankofa Imhotep — READ

Carroll Man Subject of Documentary to Premiere in Okoboji
Julie Gammack — READ

Sometimes the Years Line Up. The Sesquicentennial of Our Centennial Makes It 2026!
Kurtis Meyer — READ

The Ohio State Fair: A Fun Time for Food and Festivities
John Naughton — READ

A Billionaire from Cedar Rapids Named Mark Walter Seems to Be in a Bit of a Jam, and I’m Not Too Sympathetic
Mike Hlas — READ

Like Your Smartphone? You Know It’s Not Making You Smarter, Right?
Larry Lehmer — READ

Common Ground: Ocean City ABC’s
Christie Vilsack — READ

Regular Grief and the Work of Mourning
Abena Sankofa Imhotep — READ

Concrete Proof I Have a Sweet Tooth
Vicki Minor — READ

Not a Lot of Physical, or Education, Was Involved in Gen X P.E. Classes
Julie Stone — READ

Thank you for telling your friends and acquaintances about the Iowa Writers’ Collaborative. Together, we are growing this community and connecting Iowans across the state—and around the nation.

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Did you see the Iowa Writers’ Collaborative collection published Sunday?

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Welcome to our new subscribers! You are now part of a bold, independent roundup of news and commentary created for those who share an interest in Iowa.

“Behind the Curtains” Report on Zach Nunn’s Meaningless Bipartisanship Ranking
Barry Piatt — READ

A Judge and the Iowa Court of Appeals Have Ruled in His Favor, but a Guttenberg Man Continues to Wait—3+ Years After Asking for a Map of the Traffic-Camera Surveillance Locations
Randy Evans — READ

A New Challenge for White Christian Nationalism: When Democrats Start Talking About Jesus
Daniel Henderson — READ

A Proposed Constitutional Amendment That Will Lead to Higher Sales Taxes in Iowa Can Be Defeated. Missouri Shows Us How to Do It.
Ed Tibbetts — READ

Data Center Derecho
Cheryl Tevis — READ

Emerson Poll, New Ads, Data Centers and Health Care: August 10 Edition of “KHOI’s Capitol Week”
Laura Belin — READ

Family Values Are Not a Spigot
Joan Zwagerman — READ

Hey Democrats! In Politics as in Sports, You Can’t Beat Somethin’ with Nothin’
Dennis Goldford — READ

Iowa Down Ballot: A Limited Media Visit and a New Ballot Twist
Dave Price — READ

Just Identifying the Problem Is Only Halfway There
Rick Morain — READ

Medicare for All Is a Winner
Art Cullen — READ

Nunn’s Media Blitz Needs More Scrutiny
Dave Busiek — READ

One Last Personal Crusade for Rusty Martin
Lyle Muller — READ

Poll Shows Chris Jones “Within Striking Distance” of Mike Naig
Laura Belin — READ

Senate Fails on Farm Bill Again
Art Cullen — READ

The Supreme Court: A History of Bad Decisions and Poor Choices
Shade Burgs — READ

Why Don’t More Candidates Take an RV Campaign Road Trip?
Dave Price — READ

Bridge demolition means long detours, downtown challenges for Lansing, Iowa
Alex Burdzy, Emerging Journalist Corps — READ

Creating the kind of community we want to live in: Gatherings are about more than just the food
Beth Hoffman — READ

Multicultural Flavors Come Together at the Fair
Jane Nguyen — READ

What Tom Vilsack is getting into now—cinnamon roll judging!
Chuck Offenburger — READ

August 16th Is Really a Forgotten Holiday!
Lea Donovan — READ

Live at the Iowa State Fair’s Pioneer Hall 2026
Chip Albright — READ

Portraits of Iowa Creatives: Jennifer Leatherby’s Story
Jason Walsmith — READ

Portraits of Iowa Creatives: Jen Leatherby’s Story—Telling Stories from the Margins
Robert Leonard — READ

Sirens: A Hometown Poem (and an Invitation to My Art Show Sept. 3)
Suzanna de Baca — READ

Sky Water Thawing: Language Loud and Long
Steve Semken — READ

Summer: It Ain’t Over ’Til It’s Over!
Larry Stone — READ

Hawkeye Great Luka Garza Finds the Quiet
Daniel Finney — READ

A Meditation, a Class, a Sale, and—Wait for It—a Tree Frog
Debra Engle — READ

The Okoboji Writers’ and Songwriters’ Retreat Agenda Is Live—Impressive!
Julie Gammack — READ

1996–2026: From Napster to Suno... What’s a Musician to Do?
Dartanyan Brown — READ

Nothing Is Sacred in Big-Time Sports
Rick Jost — READ

SpudCell: Have Scientists Recreated the Spark of Life?
Ken Chester — READ

FINNEY’S 5: Real Reasons Why Rod Stewart Skipped the Iowa State Fair
Daniel Finney — READ

What Is an Irish Sense of Humor? And Why You Need One
Mary Swander — READ

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The Iowa Writers’ Collaborative

Did you catch the Iowa Writers’ Collaborative Wednesday edition?

One TV Weather Team—Two Devastating Diagnoses
Dave Busiek
READ

Domestic Policy “If-Onlys”
Rick Morain
READ

When Motherhood Becomes a Patriotic Obligation: How a Christian Nationalist State Threatens Women’s Freedom
Daniel Henderson
READ

Treatment as Transaction: What the Lindsay Clancy Case Reveals About Modern Psychiatry
Kali White VanBaale
READ

Clayton County Museum Crawl (Part 3)
Jeff Morrison
READ

You Need to Thank Thurgood Marshall
Dana James
READ

Unlocking the Therapeutic Powers of Music: A Podcast Conversation with VA Music Therapist Bailey Skarpness
Chip Albright
READ

Two Pair: The Nun Who Beat John Glenn
Tory Brecht
READ

August Comes With Some Angst
Carol Montag
READ

Lifestyles of the Greek & Famous
Marianne Fons
READ

Laura Belin’s Potato and Carrot Salad
Connie Taylor
READ

Asleep in the House of Perseus (Story & Song)
Patresa Hartman
READ

It Hasn’t Come Easily, but Luka Garza’s Career Trajectory Always Seems to Point Upward
Mike Hlas
READ

History Happens When We Least Notice It
Jane Burns
READ

Roger Craig’s Bittersweet Hall of Fame Enshrinement Reveals Dementia
John Naughton
READ

I’m Proud of Who God Created Me to Be: My Reflection on Pride 2026
Matt Russell
READ

Proving the Myth of the Lonely Runner
Larry Lehmer
READ

Tractor Maintenance: I’m a Farmer, and That Means I Solve Problems
Hannah Breckbill
READ

Common Ground: Wonderfully Made and Wildly Connected
Christie Vilsack
READ

After Hosting a Camp for Grandkids Last Week, Kurt Shares His Takeaways
Kurtis Meyer
READ

Do Consumer Boycotts Work? Plus: Buc-ee's vs. Wally's; Casey's continues Texas waltz; and a contract vote looms for Deere workers
Rick Jost
READ

A Different Kind of Horsepower
Vicki Minor
READ

Gen X Could Take Down the Competition and Share a Snack Cake After
Julie Stone
READ

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Iowa Writers’ Collaborative

Today’s Roundup is a compilation of individual columns from some of our 70-plus members. Through this loosely organized umbrella, we join forces to connect readers with independent writers who share an interest in Iowa.

Local. Independent. Reporting from across the state.

Please tell a friend.

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Did you see Sunday’s Roundup?

Every time the models run, the forecast gets more extreme. This should be leading every newscast. It isn't. Chris Gloninger, El Niño update—looking even more historic

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Letters From Iowans is a part of the Iowa Writers’ Collaborative. We encourage you, our subscribers, to share your perspective in this column. To make your voice heard, use this form to send us your essay:

Letters From Iowans FORM

A new Iowa poll measures two prominent 2026 races. The Iowa Down Ballot Podcast welcomes an additional voice on this week’s show to look beyond the obvious numbers.
Dave Price
READ

Looking beyond the toplines: Emerson’s latest Iowa poll
Laura Belin
READ

El Niño update—looking even more historic
Chris Gloninger
READ

Why Dave Price’s 4,400-mile family road trip made him think about a decision in the November election
Dave Price
READ

Health care shaping up as central issue in IA-01 campaign
Laura Belin
READ

A new study shows the Iowa Supreme Court’s findings in open-government cases have moved away from openness in the past decade
Randy Evans
READ

The Promise We Broke: How fear, funding cuts and ICE are reshaping the lives of Iowa’s immigrant families
Robert Leonard
READ

Election-related court cases, legislative targets, another school book ban challenge: August 3 edition of “KHOI’s Capitol Week”
Laura Belin
READ

Grassley & Ernst Now Charter Members of Swamp With Votes to Confirm Blanche as AG
Barry Piatt
READ

Layers of diversity, equity and inclusion unfold at Iowa’s public universities
Lyle Muller
READ

The Proposed Democratic Primary States Are a Gift to Republicans—the DNC Needs to Reject Them
Robert Leonard
READ

Letter to Democratic candidates on LGBTQ+ rights
Gordie Felger
READ

Reporters: Resist the nothing-burger
Dave Busiek
READ

Crisis & Collapse? Or, Renewal & Transformation? We’ve Been Here Before, and the Choice Is Ours to Make
Daniel Henderson
READ

Why go see the new film “The Odyssey” or even read Greek and Roman classics? Because they’re the software that operates our political worldview
Dennis Goldford
READ

Hunger: Through the eyes of a Ugandan student
Mary Swander
READ

Growing Against the Grain . . . It’s a risky business, but could yield an oatstanding harvest
Cheryl Tevis
READ

Forgiveness amid the confusion of a fatality at Walmart
Art Cullen
READ

Critique & Investment: The Black Iowa Newspaper
Dana James
READ

There’s something in the water—On living in Iowa today
Nicole Baart
READ

Passion for Cooking Turns into Full-time Business
Jane Nguyen
READ

Writing a Better World
Debra Engle
READ

The Geometry of the Plains II (and an invitation to my art show)
Suzanna de Baca
READ

A Rock ’n’ Roll Odyssey . . . (Oelwein Would Never Be the Same Dept.)
Dartanyan Brown
READ

Georgia’s Girlfriends
Tilly Strauss
READ

WNBA referees’ excuses for long replay reviews
Daniel Finney
READ

Honoring my daughter’s final wishes
Larry Lehmer
READ

Is the Internet Still Human?
Ken Chester
READ

FINNEY’S 5: Things teachers say in early August
Daniel Finney
READ

The Nutty Neighbors
Vicki Minor
READ

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Data Centers? Why This Isn’t a Yes or No Question: Is There a Way for Data Centers to Be a Win-Win Proposition for Cities & Towns?
Daniel Henderson
READ

Iowa Democrats found religion, and Republicans don’t like it
Todd Dorman
READ

Mothers in Crisis: And What We Keep Getting Wrong
Kali White VanBaale
READ

The Iowa Mercury reports on an interesting call Cory Booker made into Iowa. Does it mean the senator thinks Iowa should go first?
Douglas Burns
READ

The Iowa Mercury spends time with lieutenant governor candidate Dave Muhlbauer and a former teacher of his
Douglas Burns
READ

The State Department goofed—big time—on a map of Africa. Unthinking use of artificial intelligence can make us our own worst enemy.
Joan Zwagerman
READ

To Suspect Ourselves
Hannah Breckbill
READ

We Will All Feel It Eventually
Maria Torres
READ

Donald Trump has no superpower; he derives his office and power from his supporters.
Dennis Goldford
READ

COMMON GROUND: IS THIS HEAVEN? YES, IT’S LUNCHTIME IN IOWA
Christie Vilsack
READ

There are institutional founders. And there are institutional sustainers... like these women.
Kurtis Meyer
READ

There’s something in the water — On living in Iowa today
Nicole Baart
READ

Think You Know Campbell’s? Yes, They Are About Corndogs, But They Are Really About Heart and Family. Let Me Introduce You...
Connie Taylor
READ

Rudy Jones served Waterloo 40 years
Pat Kinney
READ

Hinterland 2026
Chip Albright
READ

Iowa African Film Festival to debut at Drake University, bringing authentic African stories to Iowa
Dana James
READ

Nik Heftman interviews the filmmaker behind “Meta Take One,” an independent feature film that has taken the festival circuit by storm. The film is now available on Amazon Prime TV and Apple TV.
Nik Heftman
READ

Grandparents and Grief
Kathryn Severing Fox
READ

Who’s Coming to the Okoboji Writers’ and Songwriters’ Retreat?…a Participant List
Julie Gammack
READ

You can legally bet on Rob Sand or Ashley Hinson or the price of a Chick-fil-A sandwich, and it’s not even called gambling
Mike Hlas
READ

How I survived the nation’s largest buffet restaurant
John Naughton
READ

Teamwork isn’t nostalgic, but it is a fundamental part of being Gen X
Julie Stone
READ

How I survived the nation’s largest buffet restaurant
John Naughton
READ

Teamwork isn’t nostalgic, but it is a fundamental part of being Gen X
Julie Stone
READ

Iowa Writers’ Collaborative

Did you see the Sunday Roundup? We added new member .

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Larry spent 35 years in Iowa newsrooms, working at newspapers in Council Bluffs and Burlington before joining the Des Moines Register. He left the Register in 2006 to launch a personal-history business and pursue several ambitious book projects.

His first book, “The Day the Music Died,” chronicled the final tour of Buddy Holly, the Big Bopper and Ritchie Valens. His second, “Bandstandland,” explored how dancing teenagers transformed American culture—and helped Dick Clark take over rock ’n’ roll. Larry is now eight years into a third book examining how the celebrated Midwest Airlines went out of business despite earning years of national industry awards.

In his Substack publication, “Life in the Slow Lane,” Larry writes with wit, candor and perspective about downsizing, family history, popular culture—and the increasingly bewildering world of apps, passwords, portals, QR codes and devices that constantly need recharging.

As Larry puts it, “A person has to scream against the universe sometimes. Don’t be surprised if I veer off course once in a while.”

We look forward to following wherever he takes us. Welcome to the Collaborative, Larry!

Subscribe now

500 in Manning Honor Vietnam Veterans in Wall That Heals Vigil, With Josh Turek Keynoting
Douglas Burns
READ

American Foreign Policy Daydreams
Rick Morain
READ

Ashley Hinson Says She’s in the Same Boat With Struggling Iowans. She Is Not
Todd Dorman
READ

Dancing Around the Issue of Our Time
Art Cullen
READ

Grassley Torches Legacy Yet Again, Chooses Trump’s Corruption Over Good Government
Barry Piatt
READ

ICE Occupation Leaves Lifetime Scars, Twin Cities Preacher Says, While New Data Shows ICE’s Increased Iowa Presence
Lyle Muller
READ

Polk County Ignores the Public-Disclosure Requirements Iowa Lawmakers Enacted 10 Years Ago—and All Voters Should Be Angry
Randy Evans
READ

State and Federal Campaign News, DNC’s Iowa Snub: July 27 Edition of “KHOI’s Capitol Week”
Laura Belin
READ

This Storm Didn’t Have a Name
Chris Gloninger
READ

Trump’s War With Iran: The Accidental Clean-Energy Accelerator—The Strait of Hormuz Stalemate Exposes the Vulnerabilities of Fossil-Fuel Addiction
David Thoreson
READ

Welcome to ‘Data Center Summer’ and the Bipartisan Backyard Backlash
Kyle Munson
READ

What You Don’t Know Can Hurt You! Growing an Appetite for Fixing Food Safety
Cheryl Tevis
READ

Parts of RAGBRAI LIII, in pictures
Jeff Morrison
READ

“Schoolboy Soldiers” on the air. And the “Weary Ramblers” will be saluting them soon!
Chuck Offenburger
READ

The University of Iowa’s Center for Intellectual Freedom Is a Hot Mess: Thoughts About What a REAL Center for Intellectual Freedom Might Look Like
Daniel Henderson
READ

Shocking Ending to an Iconic Musician’s Career

Julie Gammack
READ

A Fish Out of Water: A News Response Poem
Suzanna de Baca
READ

‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’ Finishes Disappointing Summer Blockbuster Season
Daniel Finney
READ

Songwriter Sunday

Kathryn Severing Fox
READ

Book by Omaha Businessman Makes Case for Iowa Hawkeyes Football National Championship
Mike Hlas
READ

“Forever Young”—Rod Stewart, Some Musicians and My Friend Mike Trujillo
Robert Leonard
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I Wanted a Job Change; They Didn’t Agree
Larry Lehmer
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The Story of Killer Hill—a Story for the Next Generation
Jane Nguyen
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When a Trivial Annoyance Forces You to Be Bigger
Rekha Basu
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A Duck, an Emu and a Gecko Walk Into a Bar... Kwik Trip Adds EV Charging Outlets... Musco Brightens Saudi Arabia... and More Quick-Read Business Nuggets
Rick Jost
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How to Tell if Your Business Has Been Hacked by Rogue AI
Daniel Finney
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Should AI Be Creating Your Strategy?
Suzanna de Baca
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Why Gas Prices Don’t Follow the Headlines
Ken Chester
READ

How the Amish Keep Cool
Mary Swander
READ

Other People Congress Should Hold in Contempt Besides Fauci
Daniel Finney
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Late Iowa Sailors Saved Vietnam Refugees in ’54
Pat Kinney — READ

Okoboji Writers’ and Songwriters’ Retreat VI: A Podcast Chat With Founder Julie Gammack
Chip Albright — READ

Focusing on a Hymn That Celebrates a Church’s Sesquicentennial
Kurtis Meyer — READ

Joyce Walker-Joseph Is Much More Than the First Black Model on the Cover of Seventeen Magazine
Kitty Sheehan — READ

The Sound of Summer: Midwestern Amphitheaters Provide Music Under the Stars
John Naughton — READ

The Wolf: Who Will Sing Along?
Jason Walsmith — READ

The Josie Music Awards
Carol Montag — READ

There’s Nothing Like College Football Media Days to Make Me Long for a Long, Slow August
Mike Hlas — READ

Rob Gray Reflects on Nearly Losing His Dad—and the Gratitude He Feels Now That He’s Home
Rob Gray — READ

Common Ground: “What a Long, Strange Trip It’s Been”
Christie Vilsack — READ

“Don’t Forget the Funnels”: A Message From the Divine at Walmart
Patresa Hartman — READ

Sirius-ly Sweltering
Vicki Minor — READ

“Colorblind” Public Policy and the Law of Unintended Consequences
Daniel Henderson — READ

Pete Hegseth Is Campaigning to Drum Women Out of the Military
Joan Zwagerman — READ

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Join us for the monthly Iowa Writers’ Collaborative’s Office Lounge for paid subscribers to any member column. It’s the last Friday of every month except for November and December. Please join members of the Collaborative and other subscribers for conversation. Here is the link.

Iowa Writer Collaborative member Laura Belin was the first journalist to report on Republican lieutenant governor candidate Derek Wulf’s legal and financial troubles—and we want to give credit where credit is due.

Laura began raising questions about Wulf on her June 15 radio program, just three days after Zach Lahn announced him as his running mate. She followed up on June 22 and, on July 13, became the first journalist to report what happened during Wulf’s “debtor’s exam” hearing in Sioux County. Her extensive July 20 investigation examined who was helping Wulf pay his debts.

For days, no other Iowa news organization pursued the story. It finally surfaced elsewhere on July 22, after Wulf was asked at a Westside Conservative Club breakfast how he planned to make his financial situation “consumable and palatable” to voters because, as the questioner put it, “it’s coming up.” It was coming up because of Laura’s reporting. Yet some subsequent coverage failed to acknowledge the journalist who had uncovered and documented the story.

That matters. Laura routinely credits other reporters when their work informs or advances hers. We encourage our readers to support local journalism in all its forms—and as many Iowa journalists and publications as they can. A healthy news ecosystem depends upon original reporting, readers willing to sustain it and journalists giving credit where credit is due. That’s how it should be.

We need to acknowledge and support solid, local, independent news and information.

Thank you, Laura, and all the members of the Collaborative who work so hard to bring these stories to your attention.

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Also, in today’s roundup…

Phoebe Wall Howard delivers a gripping series of reports from a Mackinac sailing race marked by violent winds, broken rigging, seasick crews, dramatic rescues and heartbreaking loss. Through the voices of sailors who endured the “carnage”—including those who refused to abandon the race—she captures both the danger on the water and the powerful emotions that followed. Read the full collection below.

Public Affairs

Who Is Helping Derek Wulf Pay His Debts?
Laura Belin — READ

GOP Candidate Pitches, Derek Wulf Finances, 2Q Fundraising: July 20 Edition of “KHOI’s Capitol Week”
Laura Belin — READ

What a Weekslong Effort to Gain Access to an Iowa Higher-Education Report Uncovered
Dave Price — READ

Can Poetry Address Hunger?
Mary Swander — READ

Consolidation Has Taken a Toll on Iowa’s Environment and Economy
Art Cullen — READ

Donald Trump Is Raising Import Taxes on Americans Again, and Iowa Republicans Just Don’t Care
Ed Tibbetts — READ

Double Trouble for the Boundary Waters
Rick Morain — READ

Good News, Two Good Stories and a Groan
Dave Busiek — READ

Iowa Center for Intellectual Freedom’s Start Plagued With Confusion, Mistrust
Lyle Muller — READ

Iowa Judge Drops Lawsuit Seeking Preferential Treatment for Herself
Randy Evans — READ

Iowa Lawmakers Made Animal Torture a Felony. Why Don’t They Care as Much About People?
Gordie Felger — READ

Iowa’s Congressional Delegation Now “Owns” Most Unpopular War in U.S. History
Barry Piatt — READ

Note to RAGBRAI 2027 Route Planners … First Stop: Iowa DNR
Cheryl Tevis — READ

Pay Close Attention: Someone Wants You to Be Afraid
Dennis Goldford — READ

The Benefits of the Military’s Testosterone Replacement Program the Media Doesn’t Want You to Know
Daniel Finney — READ

The Idolatry of Christian Nationalism: An Excerpt From “Reflections of a Recovered Evangelical: Love Plus Nothing Else”
Daniel Henderson — READ

The Men on the Roof
Robert Leonard — READ

The Microwave Popped Out a Bunch of Refugees
Art Cullen — READ

Things You Could Buy With $37.5 Billion Other Than a Pointless War With Iran
Daniel Finney — READ

Charlie Cook joins Julie Gammack’s Podcast

Julie Gammack — READ

RAGBRAI, Bike Lanes, and the Unassailable Iowa Nice
Abena Sankofa Imhotep — READ

A Podcast Conversation With Pulitzer Prize Winner Art Cullen About the Current State of Iowa, His Latest Book, and Writing Style
Chip Albright — READ

The Chinese Association of Iowa Celebrated America’s 250th Birthday in West Des Moines
Jane Nguyen — READ

Bowing Out of Bicycling & RAGBRAI
Chuck Offenburger — READ

Restaurants Come and Go Like Streetcars. Here’s an Upcoming One I’m Actually Excited About.
Wini Moranville — READ

Solstice Day—Shadows Long and Lean
Steven Semken — READ

Triptych: A Hometown Poem
Suzanna de Baca — READ

Forgetting to Be Anxious
Tilly Strauss — READ

Humor

Brutal Conditions Break Rigging, Sicken Sailors
Phoebe Wall Howard — READ

Mackinac Racers Who Didn’t Drop Out Share Details Laced With Drama
Phoebe Wall Howard — READ

Rescuer Gets Rescued After Going Overboard Amid Violent Winds During Sailboat Race
Phoebe Wall Howard — READ

Sailor Died Hoping for One Last Race
Phoebe Wall Howard — READ

Sailor Works to Hold Back Tears
Phoebe Wall Howard — READ

Year of “Carnage” for Mackinac Racers
Phoebe Wall Howard — READ

Name Suggestions for a Potential Big Ten-SEC Superconference
Daniel Finney — READ

Nancy Armour’s Nasty Caitlin Clark Column Shows What Happens When Engagement Subverts Editorial Judgment
Daniel Finney — READ

Opinion: Who Will Write America’s Next 250 Years?
Wayne Ford — READ

A Blood Test for Alzheimer’s—Years Before Symptoms?
Ken Chester — READ

Howdy From Texas, Where It’s Hot as a Jalapeño: The Dallas Metroplex Continues to Sizzle With Economic Development, Including a New Stock Exchange in an Area Called “Y’all Street”
Rick Jost — READ

Fired Ford Worker Hires Legal Counsel; Aramark Kiosks Under Scrutiny After Cookie Incident
Phoebe Wall Howard — READ

FINNEY’S 5: Finney Excuses for Not Riding RAGBRAI
Daniel Finney — READ

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What’s Cookin’ at the 2026 Iowa State Fair? This year’s top new foods revealed, plus a look at the 2026 Corndog Kickoff
Connie Taylor — READ

The Price of the Style: Toxic chemicals in synthetic braiding hair raise health concerns for Black consumers
Dana James — READ

What happened on the field mattered. What happened in the stands should matter even more.
Maria Torres — READ

Former Waterloo TV news anchor, mom authors book on challenges facing a dementia caregiver
Pat Kinney — READ

Creative Arts & Entertainment

Bookish engagement opportunities across Iowa
Abena Sankofa Imhotep — READ

I’ll Be at Lucky Horse on Sunday. So Will Jason Walsmith and Chip Albright. Join Us for a Great Cause!
Wini Moranville — READ

Podcast interview with Master Gardener and children’s author Theresa Jo Brady about her book, “The Wondering Woodsman”
Chip Albright — READ

Usher and Chris Brown combine for a billion-dollar concert tour
John Naughton — READ

Going Solo at the Jefferson Porch Fest

Kathryn Severing Fox — Read and Listen

COMMON GROUND: RICHARD THE LION-HEARTED
Christie Vilsack — READ

Eulogy for my father
Tory Brecht — READ

Glimmers and a Childlike Superpower: What we can learn from childlike giddiness
Kelsey Bigelow — READ

Readers are invited to “eavesdrop” on a parent-child Q&A
Kurtis Meyer — READ

“Define What You Mean by ‘Biblical Principles?’” The Question Every Christian Nationalist Should Be Asked
Daniel Henderson — READ

While Pope Francis calls people to build tables rather than walls of exclusion, the president loves lots of walls
Joan Zwagerman — READ

Dancing was a fundamental part of growing up Gen X. Why did we stop doing this?
Julie Stone — READ

We can’t all be the Rolling Stones, but we don’t have to gather moss
Mike Hlas — READ

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This week’s public-affairs columns feature several prominent political figures and candidates, including Pete Buttigieg, House Speaker Mike Johnson, Iowa gubernatorial candidate Zach Lahn, U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley and President Donald Trump. Writers also explore whether Iowa may be politically competitive in November, along with recent candidate pitches, election protection, taxes, immigration enforcement and threats of political violence.

Arnold Garson unearths another gem of forgotten history, this time about a mobster from Sioux City. Rekha Basu has a request for Senator Chuck Grassley, and Maria Torres has a personal reflection on how fear changes her.

Much more, of course, including an in-depth look at the RAGBRAI route by Jeff Morrison.

Tell a friend. Spread the word. You are on the Iowa Writers’ Collaborative team.

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Here’s why the number 65 could make Iowa Democrats feel more optimistic about November. Dave Price, Kathie Obradovich, and Laura Belin explain in this week’s Iowa Down Ballot Podcast
Dave Price — READ

The Iowa Mercury reports on Pete Buttigieg making the case for the Iowa Caucuses going first
Douglas Burns — READ

Pete Buttigieg and Mike Johnson came to Iowa, but Dave Price is thinking more about how cancer took our friend
Dave Price — READ

Please Sen. Grassley, be the guardrail we long for
Rekha Basu — READ

Pay Attention when a Candidate’s Family Is Off Limits in His Campaign to Lead the Government That’s Coming After Yours
Matt Russell — READ

A Trip to the Franklin Avenue Library
Chip Albright — READ

Candidate pitches and news from Iowa courts: July 13 edition of “KHOI’s Capitol Week”
Laura Belin — READ

Is Iowa in play? Laura Belin live with Seth Masket
Laura Belin — READ

Driving a Faustian Bargain with Data
Cheryl Tevis — READ

War on Iowa will extend past November
Art Cullen — READ

Heads of state: now apparently fair game for assassination
Rick Morain — READ

“Truly Mental Illness”: Minority Mental Health Pt. 2
Kali White VanBaale — READ

Zach Lahn’s view of Iowa from Kim Reynolds’ shoulders includes mountains of failure, but he still wants to carry on her legacy
Todd Dorman — READ

Whether ICE officials like it or not, our Constitution allows us to criticize our government—even using crude and rude language
Randy Evans — READ

An intelligent guide to Iowa’s solutions, even if the intelligence is artificial
Lyle Muller — READ

Iowa’s future might just look like Missouri’s, where special interests are trying to revamp the state tax code by eliminating the income tax and authorizing a huge increase in sales taxes
Ed Tibbetts — READ

Trump no longer gets the benefit of the doubt
Dave Busiek — READ

Did Lynching End? Or Simply Adapt? The Crimson Record Deserves a Fair Hearing
Daniel Henderson — READ

Mass atrocities can happen anywhere, even in America
Gordie Felger, Letters From Iowans — READ

Don’t Mourn Lindsey Graham, Mourn His Victims
Robert Leonard — READ

With Liberty and Justice FOR ALL! A story from the Iowa Democratic Party Liberty and Justice Celebration
Robert Leonard — READ

Robert Leonard shared: Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement Is Working to Protect Our Elections; a guest column by Julia Rendon, an Iowa CCI member
Robert Leonard — READ

Peru to Iowa? A very special, and important, farm-to-table meal
Beth Hoffman — READ

Here’s another, but deadlier, instance of “Here we go again.”
Dennis Goldford — READ

Advice for Whoever Becomes Iowa’s Next Governor
Richard Gilbert — READ

The BIGGEST MOBSTER SIOUX CITY and PERHAPS IOWA EVER PRODUCED
Arnold Garson — READ

The Iowa Mercury carries this review of a best-selling book: Native Iowans’ new book reveals ugly, criminal underbelly of a not-so-long-ago Des Moines through accounts of a notorious saloonkeeper
Douglas Burns — READ

Now Available: Black Iowa Newspaper – July Edition📰
Dana James — READ

Analysis of 2026 RAGBRAI route
Jeff Morrison — READ

Why Every American Neighborhood Has an Alexander Clark and a Charlie Kirk
Abena Sankofa Imhotep — READ

Notes from the Front Lines of Humanity
Dartanyan Brown — READ

Summer Prairie Landscape
Suzanna de Baca — READ

I Thought Everyone Did This No-Cook Trick
Wini Moranville — READ

Swiftsure mast snaps like a toothpick in 40 knots of wind, 9-foot waves on Day 1 of 102nd Bayview Mackinac Race
Phoebe Howard — READ

‘Dystopian’ wildfire smoke kills visibility for sailors on Lake Huron. Racers report wildfire ash on boat decks.
Phoebe Wall Howard — READ

The great World Cup debate: Watching inside vs. outside
Lynn Hicks — READ

The Part That Scares Me The Most
Maria Torres — READ

Lee Newspapers Tout Local Focus; State Gives Tax Credits to Manufacturers; Hardee’s Owner Seeks Bankruptcy Court Protection
Rick Jost — READ

China Speed Is Rewriting the Auto Industry
Ken Chester — READ

Hot Dog! More Field-tested Leadership Lessons From My Chocolate Labradoodle
Suzanna de Baca — READ

Country Barber
John Busbee — READ

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“Enough With Red & Blue America Already! How The Two-Party System Is A Threat To Democracy”
Daniel Henderson — READ

Cutie Pie Little Lady in the Commercial School Machine
Patresa Hartman — READ

Not content with calling people and ideas “socialist,” the president is now using the “c-word”
Joan Zwagerman — READ

That’s Just How It Is: Reflections on Minority Mental Month
Kali White VanBaale — READ

Knoxville, Iowa soldier served 47 years, three wars
Pat Kinney — READ

The Meskwaki in Iowa: A story of persistence
Jeff Morrison — READ

The Nastiest Saloon in Iowa - now immortalized in print by an ancestor. Julie Gammack — READ

For a taste of summertime in a bowl, treat yourself to this refreshing Watermelon-Cucumber Salad with Feta Cheese
Connie Taylor — READ

Is Iowa ready for a hip-hop music infusion this summer?
John Naughton — READ

Why Aren’t We All Hanging Out in Duluth?
Wini Moranville — READ

Wild West Adventure – Part 2
Carol Montag — READ

Going Yard
Chip Albright — READ

Indigenous Iowa minor leaguer was Yanks star
Pat Kinney — READ

Rob Gray writes that his day job doesn’t stop, even as his dad, Henry, is battling for his life.
Rob Gray — READ

COMMON GROUND: LAND OF HOPE AND DREAMS
Christie Vilsack — READ

I always thought I was “too much.” Turns out, it wasn’t a defect, but a diagnosis that’s opening a whole new chapter of self-discovery.
Christina Fernandez-Morrow — READ

Tell Me What It’s Like
KC McGinnis — READ

West through South Dakota, east through North Dakota. Kurt Meyer takes us along.
Kurtis Meyer — READ

One day at a time — Kathryn Severing Fox — READ

If you’re thinking outside the box or living rent-free in someone’s head, keep it to yourself. And at the end of the day, no more other dopey expressions, please.
Mike Hlas — READ

The Case of the Exploding Pillow
Vicki Minor — READ

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• A reminder to a Supreme Court justice: Freedom of speech must include a freedom to hear, too — Randy Evans — READ

• A shared goal: preservation of the Union — Rick Morain — READ

• Both progressives and MAGA supporters need to remember this: nothing in human affairs, and especially politics, is perfect, but “imperfect” doesn’t mean worthless. — Dennis Goldford — READ

• Conflicting polls, Iowa angles on SCOTUS rulings, new state laws: July 6 edition of “KHOI’s Capitol Week” — Laura Belin — READ

• Iowa’s ruling party creates its own reality and discards an achievement it once called historic. — Ed Tibbetts — READ

• No Cuts to Libraries: Des Moines residents criticize proposed city budget cuts, process — Dana James — READ

• Our outrage could redeem us — Art Cullen — READ

• Relationships more stable than U.S.-Iran ceasefire — Daniel Finney — READ

• Trump’s haste, America’s waste — Dave Busiek — READ

• Trumpist virtuoso Ashley Hinson is disappointed Trump’s order ending birthright citizenship was overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court — Todd Dorman — READ

• What About Chuck? — Barry Piatt — READ

• WHEN SMALLPOX RAN RAMPANT IN AMERICA and WHY IT DOESN’T ANYMORE — Arnold Garson — READ

  

• When Bible Reading Comes to Public School – Be Careful What You Wish For: Texas Teachers Are In A No-Win Situation — Daniel Henderson — READ

• Democrats Blew It by rationalizing Platner’s history — Rekha Basu — READ

• A Conversation about hash browns: during a Visit to a Casey’s Store in Knoxville, Iowa — Robert Leonard — READ

• Forget the summer blahs! — Larry Stone — READ

  

• Growing Pains Amplify Water Woes . . . Boone leaders struggle to meet the watermark moment — Cheryl Tevis — READ

• Jewelweed, an Ebony Jewelwing, a Pair of Boots, and much, much, more... — Robert Leonard — READ

• Like a call to the bullpen. (He’s answering an ad.) — Chuck Offenburger — READ

  

• Five Restaurants That Make Dining Out Fun Again — Wini Moranville — READ

  

• What are Supergirl’s plans after $125-million box office bomb? — Daniel Finney — READ

• World Cup Fever: News Response Haiku — Suzanna de Baca — READ

• Okoboji Writers’ and Songwriters’ News — Julie Gammack — READ

• Firebrands from then and now — Jane Burns — READ

• Republicans justifications for worrying about fouls on Caitlin Clark — Daniel Finney — READ

• 

• Sure, the U.S. came up short yet again in a World Cup. But where does it say we have to be the big boss of our big party? — Mike Hlas — READ

• USMNT excuses for another World Cup flameout — Daniel Finney — READ

• When the soccer led to a correspondence with a British lord — Lea Donovan — READ

• Chance encounter with Scottish space researcher sparks conversation about Iowa — Lyle Muller — READ

  

• Fan immersion means watching England in an English tavern — Lyle Muller — READ

  

• That time a Communist gave me a good scoop — Laura Belin — READ

• Alleged Dorito theft gets Ford worker fired — Phoebe Wall Howard — READ

• Deere Tees Up Surprise for Union: High-stakes negotiations are off to an early start between the agricultural equipment giant and production workers. — Rick Jost — READ

  

• The Space Race May Be Won by a Fuel Tank, Not a Rocket — Ken Chester — READ

The Iowa Writers’ Collaborative

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A First-Person Account of What Life Has Been Like in Dubai for the Last Six Months
Kurtis Meyer — READ

What Is a Patriot?
Dave Price — READ

Patriotism is part of the celebration of America’s birthday. But what is a patriot?

Let’s Get (Cinnamon) Rolling!
Chuck Offenburger — READ

America & Sobriety
Kathryn Severing Fox — READ

The Savannah Bananas Peeled Off a Lot of Fun for a Whole Lot of Fans at Kinnick Stadium
Mike Hlas — READ

What It Means to ‘Create Connection’
Kelsey Bigelow — READ

Hurray, Hurray – It’s Trash Picker Day!
Connie Taylor — READ

Beauty can be found anywhere, and maybe some of that beauty is hiding in a trash picker pile.

COMMON GROUND: I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE
Christie Vilsack — READ

John Naughton’s Red, White and Blue — Celebrating July 4 in Philadelphia
John Naughton — READ

American Individualism Runs Amok
Macey Shofroth — READ

Macey Shofroth makes a case against personal firework shows in honor of 250 years of American individualism.

We Did It Right Back in 1976!
Julie Stone — READ

America Turns 250...or 1,750 in Dog Years
Vicki Minor — READ

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Iowa Capital Dispatch is hosting a benefit concert on July 12, featuring HomeBrewed, a bangin’ Iowa City-based blues-rock band, at Uptown Garage Brewing Co. in Ankeny. Ticket information is here. Bring some friends and enjoy a great show while contributing to the important work of covering Iowa news.

Want to help but can’t make it on July 12? The Iowa Capital Dispatch summer fundraiser is underway. Donate here to help cover the midterm elections, higher education, healthcare, agriculture, the environment, and much more.

Iowa Down Ballot

Julie Gammack and Richard Gilbert will be hosting a reception for the Iowa Down Ballot Crew, Tuesday, July 7, 4-6:00 p.m. We need your RSVP, then the address will be sent:

Down Ballot Reception

Iowa Down Ballot is a feature of the Iowa Writers’ Collaborative. Each week, Dave Price, Laura Belin, and Kathie Obradovich go beyond the soundbites to discuss what’s really happening in Iowa politics — including the stealth maneuvers politicians hope you won’t notice. Come meet the team.

The podcast is just 30 minutes, and it is both fun and deeply informative.

Producing this kind of independent Iowa journalism costs money, and we need more paid subscriptions to keep offerings like this available.

Your support makes it possible:

Iowa Down Ballot

What to the American Slave Is Your Fourth of July?
Abena Sankofa — READ

Portraits of Democracy in Action
Jason Walsmith — READ

No Spoiler Here. The Iowa Mercury Interviews Libertarian U.S. Senate Candidate Thomas Laehn, Who Has Won Local Elections
Douglas Burns — READ

News from the Campaign Trail, Congress, and Courts: June 29 Edition of “KHOI’s Capitol Week”
Laura Belin — READ

America at 250: What Does Patriotism Look Like?
Gordie Felger — READ

Snap! See What a Federal Ruling Means for Iowa’s Restrictions on Certain Foods for Some Families.
The Iowa Down Ballot Podcast looks at what a federal ruling means for new food restrictions in Iowa, plus how DOGE cuts are impacting farmers.
Dave Price — READ

Take the America 250 Challenge! GPS Your Family’s Journey En Route to America’s Biggest Fourth of Julys
Cheryl Tevis — READ

AMERICA 250: Evolution of a Semiquincentennial; Part 3, 1876–1926
Arnold Garson — READ

AMERICA 250: Evolution of a Semiquincentennial; Part 4, 1926–1976
Arnold Garson — READ

AMERICA 250: Evolution of a Semiquincentennial; Part 5, 1976–2026
Arnold Garson — READ

Bob Leonard and Jason Walsmith Continue Their Series “Portraits of Democracy in Action” with Fannette Elliott and Karen Fulford
Robert Leonard — READ

Iowa GOP Leaders Were on the Wrong Side of the Constitution, and Morality, in the Birthright Citizenship Case.
Ed Tibbetts — READ

Bob Leonard and Jason Walsmith Continue Their Photo Essay Series “Portraits of Democracy in Action” with Ryan Peterman, Josh Manske, and Rob Sand.
Robert Leonard — READ

Bob Leonard and Jason Walsmith Continue Their Photo Essay Series “Portraits of Democracy in Action,” with Cynthia Paschen, Democratic Candidate for the Iowa House.
Robert Leonard — READ

Bob Leonard and Jason Walsmith Continue Their Photo Essay Series “Portraits of Democracy in Action,” Interviewing Chris Jones, Democratic Candidate for Iowa Secretary of Agriculture.
Robert Leonard — READ

How Will You Celebrate Your Next Fourth of July?
Maria Torres — READ

I Was Here for America’s Bicentennial. It Was Nothing Like the Mess Trump Made of America’s 250th Birthday Celebration
Barry Piatt — READ

The President Wants to Be Doyen in the Gold City but Everything He Touches Comes Apart at the Seams
Joan Zwagerman — READ

The Constitution Is What We Make of It
Rick Morain — READ

Being an American Is More Than Just a Matter of Family History—It Involves a Commitment to the Principles of the Declaration of Independence.
Dennis Goldford — READ

Supreme Court Keeps the Door Open to Some, Tells Others They Don’t Belong
Rekha Basu — READ

This Is Our Day of Deliverance; We Are Not Summer Soldiers
Art Cullen — READ

NPR Blew It. Its Response Is the Real Story.
Dave Busiek — READ

Walt Whitman: Democratic Vistas on Independence Day
Michael Judge — READ

July 4th Special Issue – True American Exceptionalism: The 250th Anniversary Six-Part Series in Review
Daniel Henderson — READ

Immigrant Legal Support Group Has Focused Recovery Plan to Overcome Service Cuts
Lyle Muller — READ

We Celebrate Lawtons’ Corn Crop & the Deep Roots in Farming That Most of Us Have
Chuck Offenburger — READ

1,776 Flags, Restored Guard WWII Banner Displayed at Waterloo Fourth Observance
Pat Kinney — READ

Citizenship Dream Came True for Waterloo Soldier
Pat Kinney — READ

Creator Corps — A New Effort by Pat Rynard and Liz Fleming

Julie Gammack — READ

Cedar Falls Travel Story: An Easygoing Getaway That Delivers
Christine Riccelli — READ

A Substack Short: Broths, Beauty, and Writing
Steven Semken — READ

A Semiquincentennial Scrapbook
Chip Albright — READ

Still Becoming: A Poem for the USA on Her 250th Birthday
Suzanna de Baca — READ

Hunting the “Swamp Fox” in Marion, Iowa
On occasion this column strays from the subject of business and wanders off to other topics of interest to me, if not to anyone else. This is one of those occasions.
Rick Jost — READ

Why Are You Motivated to Lead? What Inspires People to Step Forward
Sharing my column from the Business Record.
Suzanna de Baca — READ

Too Bee or Not to Bee
Vicki Minor — READ

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A special thank-you to John, Josh, Cindy, and Zach for becoming paid subscribers to the Iowa Down Ballot Substack. Your support helps make the Iowa Down Ballot Podcast possible.

To help sustain this independent journalism, Julie Gammack and Richard Gilbert will host a fundraiser for paid subscribers on Tuesday, July 7, from 4:00 to 6:30 p.m. Guests will include Dave Price, Laura Belin, and Kathie Obradovich, who will share insights and answer questions about Iowa politics and the road ahead.

This event is exclusively for paid subscribers to the Iowa Down Ballot Substack.

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Let’s Talk About That Phone Call from RFK Jr.
Dave Price — READ

Exploding the Myths of Being Transgender – Part Three: Following Sean McConnell’s Transition Journey to Authenticity
Daniel Henderson — READ

Cancer, Prairie Strips and a Man’s Soul
Beth Hoffman — READ

Clayton County Museum Crawl (Part 2 of ?)
Jeff Morrison — READ

Butterflies, Milkweed, a “Mouse” and a “Camel,” and Much, Much More
Robert Leonard — READ

Podcast Launch: ‘Unfiltered: 2 Black Women’ Gets Real on Life in Iowa and Beyond
Dana James — READ

Wild, Wild West Songwriter Adventure
Carol Montag — READ

How Does Your Garden Grow?
Chip Albright — READ

Read My Favorite Quilts
Marianne Fons — READ

Bunny Ears and Beautiful Bouquets Mark John’s Spring Fashion Review
John Naughton — READ

Crap Mountain
Patresa Hartman — READ

Fireless in Song
Kathryn Severing Fox — READ

A U. of Iowa “Mount Rushmore” That’s Three-Fourths from Athletics? I Think Not!
Mike Hlas — READ

Art But Make It Sports Creates Its Own Masterpieces
Jane Burns — READ

OFFSEASON MUSINGS, VOL. 2
Rob Gray — READ

Solo Mackinac Sailor with Broken Ribs Describes ‘Insane’ Night Rescue
Phoebe Wall Howard — READ

Part One: Bicycling America — Okoboji to Maine
David Thoreson — READ

No Matter Where You Stand — Reproductive Care in the U.S. Is Broken
Nicole Baart — READ

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