Bitcoin explained, Iowa & Drake entanglements, national and local politics, will Grassley be consistent, stories around Iowa,
...a big welcome to our newest member, Zachary Oren Smith
We are pleased to welcome
to the roster of outstanding Iowa writers and will include his new Cornhole Champions podcast in our weekly Iowa Writers’ Collaborative Roundup. To be the first to hear it each week, subscribe to his column.
The recount is on in Iowa's 1st Congressional District race. Cornhole Champions host Zachary Oren Smith spoke to an elections expert with first-hand experience about the realities of a recount. On this inaugural episode, join Zach and Iowa Starting Line’s community editor Amie Rivers to wade through it all.
More Iowa Politics
There’s an important lesson for Iowa school boards in the Iowa FOI Council’s recent lawsuit victory against the Centerville Board of Education: The public deserves more information — and less secrecy.
has the story. explained why mid-sized cities are now Iowa Democrats' biggest problem in state and federal elections.How red was it?
and Spencer Dirks dug deep into Iowa's 2024 elections for president, Congress, and the state legislature on "KHOI's Capitol Week." moderated Iowa Press and presented the Evolution of the Iowa GOP. It’s worth watching.Iowa is a one-party state, writes
National Politics
says: Calls for Democrats to deprioritize “identity politics” are misguided and hurt constituencies that most need protection and advocacy going forward. They must build coalitions between affected groups.The week after the presidential election, a sleep-deprived
at Along the Mississippi offered five thoughts.A non-partisan political expert offered Iowans some perspective on how to understand the election results.
on Media has the story.Senators without the courage to carry out their constitutional responsibilities don’t deserve to be in office. And their advice-and-consent role is a fundamental responsibility, writes
. writes from Washington about the “Method to Trump’s Cabinet Nominations Madness.”Chuck Grassley opposed recess appointments when Barack Obama was President and accused Democrats at the time of siding with their party over the Constitution. Now, with Donald Trump as President,
at Along the Mississippi asks: What choice will Grassley make? had a post-election “open show” during her podcast recording on Monday. One of the folks on the call voted for Trump, to the dismay of the other 49 present. It didn’t go well. How do we get along in these divisive times.Around Iowa
In her column this week,
takes a closer look at the growth of cryptocurrency mining as a rural economic development issue. She warns, Beware the Trojan Horse. extolls uptown small town life in Quiltropolis.
In a column published on Veterans Day - which is Remembrance Day in Canada --
tells the stories of some Northeast Iowans who flew for the Royal Canadian Air Force and lost their lives in World War II.All the luck I needed I found in that old house and other nearly-truths, writes
, Steve Semken.Iowa Boy
says in his new column that after 54 years of public speaking, Iowans have heard enough from him. He says his last speech, delivered Thursday night in Des Moines at the "Celebrate" banquet of Above + Beyond Cancer, seemed a perfect ending. In it, he shared a favorite story about the life & career of ABC founder Dr. Richard Deming. So, two columns from Offenburger today! writes about why Veteran’s Day matters.
On its tenth birthday, the book "The Only Little Prayer You Need" may be needed now more than ever, writes
World Affairs
From
: The war Germany tried hardest to win: No, it was not World War II. It was a separate war within that war: The war against the Jews. For the anniversary of Kristallnacht this past week and written as a review to a new film -- Resistance: They Fought Back.Weather and Environment
reports on a small win in the continuing battle to protect northeast Iowa waters from an industrial cattle operation: It’s the wrong place for a 10,000 head feed lot! also gives his take on the feed lot pollution issue, and takes to task the powers to be, but also reports a small glimmer of hope. From
: We examine the environmental impact of Lee Zeldin as head of EPA. This analysis highlights the stakes for the planet and the importance of leadership in addressing the climate crisis.Food and Dining
reviewed the new, ultra-high-end Prime & Providence restaurant. She also offered a helpful roundup of Thanksgiving take-out options, from appetizers and sides to pies galore.Entertainment and Travel
visits the Children's Graveyard on Inishbofin Island, Ireland, and tries to comprehend the cultural customs surrounding the loss of a child. has two rambles this week. One is reading over his shoulder, reactions to cheerleading’s earliest days (Rah-Rah Reactions); the second is about “riding the rails” (Aboard the Borealis).Nik Heftman, The Seven Times, has updates on the documentary film he created about Caleb Rainey, The Negro Artist.
Books and Art
From
: We gathered to watch Alfred Hitchcock's classic "Psycho" on a "Way Back Wednesday" last month at the quaint and wonderful Iowa Theater in Winterset. It seemed appropriate as Halloween and a contentious election loomed.In this edition of The Five and Dime,
writes about how Randy Newman's 1974 concept album, Good Old Boys, resonates with America today.
In This Stays Here,
wonders if hope is really all we have.Listen to Reading with Rachelle, where
and guest Erick Nganyange discuss the book, "For Labor, Race, and Liberty: George Edwin Taylor, His Historic Run for the White House, and the Making of Independent Black Politics.” Taylor, a Black man, ran for president in 1904 while living in Iowa.Car Culture
A man Iowa loves shares his story of economic struggle and resilience and how sometimes a car that carries us through life might keep us from giving up. Read
’s story about and his life-saving Lincoln.
Sports
From
: Northern Iowa football coach Mark Farley's association with the Panthers dates back to 1982 when he was a freshman. After 24 years as the school's most successful football coach, he has announced his retirement. says the Drake and Iowa women’s basketball teams are so interconnected that they’re not so much in-state rivals but more like relatives. Former Bulldog Jan Jensen coaches the Hawkeyes, but that’s just one of the ways – some of them kind of goofy - these teams are intertwined.
Humor
In honor of his first anniversary,
wrote about how he met his wife — on Twitter, of all places — and publicly shared his wedding vows for the first time since the Las Vegas nuptials.I won a million dollars for life! So says,
’s Vicki Minor/Poetry
shared his poem Slave Tools. shares a Haiku for November 15. Hint: It's about the full moon.
Iowa Writers’ Collaborative
On December 13, from 5-8 p.m., members of the Iowa Writers’ Collaborative will hold our annual holiday party for paid subscribers and donors to Iowa Capital Dispatch. (Their guests can attend for a donation to be given at the event). Come mix and mingle with our writers, and readers.
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