From Pipelines, to Polls, + Politics, Prose & Unmentionables
...Iowa's Storytellers tackle the week in review
National Politics….Iowa Politics…Around Iowa…Aftermath of Gun Violence…Media…Cars…Food, Entertainment & Travel…Weather and Climate…Sports….Letters from Iowans…Books…Music…Cars…Humor…Poetry
Welcome to this week’s Iowa Writers’ Collaborative Roundup, where we bring you the latest perspectives and stories from our contributors. Covering a smorgasbord of topics—from national and state politics to food, travel, and poetry—this collection showcases the diversity and depth of voices across Iowa and beyond. Whether it’s dissecting the last election, insights on climate change, reflections on holiday traditions, or in-depth looks at the issues shaping our communities, these columns offer something for everyone. Discover the power of independent journalism fueled by your support.
National Politics
Donald Trump's lawsuit against J. Ann Selzer and the Des Moines Register targets the wrong people.
at Along the Mississippi writes there was somebody in Iowa with a lot of influence telling Iowans that Trump couldn't win the election. But it wasn't Selzer and the Register. also has a deep dive into the suit. A remarkable piece about what many consider a frivolous waste of time and money.
It's your turn: whatever your own particular political orientation may be, what I’d like you to do this week is to follow my lead here and think about what bothers you most about American politics today, and then tell
, along with the readers of this column in the comments section.As the incoming Trump administration sparks fear about mass deportations and an America for only Americans, Des Moines' school board vows to protect the schools' undocumented. Read
’s account of the story. likes Charles Dickens' “A Christmas Carol,” but she sees too much of the main character (before conversion) in the incoming administration. This isn't some literary exercise. We should all be concerned.
Iowa Politics
has a few things to say about Governor Reynolds’ pick for Lt. Governor: “The Secret.”A half dozen letters threatening lawsuits have gone out to critics of Summit Carbon Solutions pipeline in an attempt to silence their criticism of the project and its use of eminent domain. The letters have led to calls for the Legislature to step in with a new anti-SLAPP law to restrict such lawsuits.
, in “Stray Thoughts,” writes.
Around Iowa
wonders in his Annual Holiday Letter why he is cranky. The rest of the family seems fine. looks into projects that will be receiving Traffic Safety Improvement Program money from the Iowa Transportation Commission.In her column this week,
invites you to create new holiday traditions with unexpected gifts from the past.John Naughton is so addicted to the holiday season that he's drawn like a fat man to cookies (aka Santa). He's busy looking at lights and dressing in green and red.
Aftermath of Gun Violence
The mother of a young school shooting victim shares the behind-the-scenes reality of what happens years after bullet wounds heal. And she makes one request.
has this powerful story.This week on Piecemaker,
reflects on her son’s tender heart and harrowing fears. At just 11, Fletcher accepted death as inevitable at school. What does this say about a world where children bear the responsibility of fighting gun violence?
Climate, Weather and the Environment
asks, Is the classic White Christmas becoming a thing of the past? While snowfall trends remain steady in some areas, December temperatures are rising, altering the odds of snow on Christmas morning. Discover how climate change is reshaping winter traditions—and why it’s more complicated than “less snow in a warming world.”Sometimes, he screams into his pillow—and that’s just the beginning. In this week’s Potluck podcast,
sits down with Chris, a former KCCI-TV meteorologist and climate advocate, who left the newsroom after refusing to downplay the realities of climate change.
Cars
The all-electric ID. Buzz has arrived and Julie Gammack had a chance to interview the head of PR for VW of North America about the long-awaited unveiling of this nostalgic machine.
Media
“The Negro Artist” is a new documentary by Nik Heftman of The Seven Times that chronicles the life and early success of Iowa City-based spoken word poet Caleb Rainey. For his column this week, Ty Rushing wrote about the filmmaker and his key subject, what their collective work means and how it unapologetically centers the Black perspective while showcasing the importance of the arts.
offers his take.ABC News capitulation on a lawsuit by Trump is bad news for journalists and news consumers alike, as the Des Moines Register found out this week.
in Media has the analysis.Hola America and Hola Iowa were recognized for their excellence in reporting, photography, and events by the National Association of Hispanic Publications (NAHP) during their annual convention, held October 23-25 in Chicago. The prestigious José Martí Media Awards, which recognize excellence in Hispanic journalism, honored both publications with a combined total of 16 awards, showcasing their continued commitment to uplifting Latino voices and providing high-quality journalism.
Sports
, like everyone else on the planet, knows what the biggest women's sports story in Iowa was in 2024. But there were many other amazing moments – from a swimmer who gained a famous rapper as a fan and a basketball player riding an unexpected wave of fame. 
Food and Entertainment
In the sea of shiny and new restaurants opening faster than we can count,
explains the appeal of Cosi Cucina, a long-time spot that's too easy to overlook.
Books & Film
In Ep. 6 of Reading with Rachelle, author Rachelle Chase discusses "The Black Angels: The Untold Story of the Nurses Who Helped Cure Tuberculosis" with author Mario Smilios.
In Ep. 7 of Reading with Rachelle, author Rachelle Chase discusses "Savings and Trust: The Rise and Betrayal of the Freedman's Bank" with the author, Dr. Justene Hill Edwards.
Nik Heftman, The Seven Times, is in Los Angeles to show his documentary film about Caleb Rainey. Catch up with Nik, and learn about some of the other filmmakers he’s meeting along the way.
Music
kicks off an Emerging Voices holiday sale with a clip of local, Buggy Land musicians singing and playing a bluegrass Christmas concert. In this case, you'll hear what the band calls scatgrass. Letters From Iowans
In Letters from Iowans, Gordie Felger writes about fear: "Fear Across Iowa. Fear Across America." Do you have an opinion piece you would like to share? Submit your essay here:
Humor
Christmas Chaos: A Humorous Take on the Twelve Days, from
’s Vicki Minor.Poetry
offers a poem called "Gratitude as a Way of Being," a December reflection.Sportswriter
decided a season-in-review column can wait. He wrote a non-sports poem instead. It's titled, "The Call is Coming From Inside the House."Iowa Writers’ Collaborative
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Iowa Writers Collaborative: Roundup
Art Cullen: Art Cullen’s Notebook, Storm Lake
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Julie Gammack: Julie Gammack’s Iowa Potluck, Des Moines and Okoboji
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Chris Gloninger: Weathering Climate Change, US
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Letters From Iowans
Darcy Maulsby: Keepin’ It Rural, Calhoun County
Hola Iowa: Iowa
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Vicki Minor: Relatively Minor, Winterset
Wini Moranville: Wini’s Food Stories, Des Moines
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Jane Nguyen: The Asian Iowan, West Des Moines
John Naughton: My Life in Color, Des Moines
Chuck Offenburger: Iowa Boy Chuck Offenburger, Jefferson and Des Moines
Barry Piatt: Piatt on Politics Behind the Curtain, Washington, D.C.
Dave Price: Dave Price’s Perspective, Des Moines
Ty Rushing: Ty’s Take, Iowa City
Steve Semken: Ice Cube Press, LLC, North Liberty
Sarah Scull: The Piecemaker, Creston
Macey Shofroth: The Midwest Creative, Norwalk
Zachary Oren Smith: Cornhole Champions, Iowa City
Larry Stone: Listening to the Land, Elkader
Mary Swander: Mary Swander’s Buggy Land, Kalona
Mary Swander's Emerging Voices: Emerging Voices, Kalona
Cheryl Tevis: Unfinished Business, Boone County
Ed Tibbetts: Along the Mississippi, Davenport
Jason Walsmith: The Racontourist, Earlham
Kali White VanBaale: 988: Mental Healthcare in Iowa, Bondurant
Teresa Zilk: Talking Good, Des Moines
Joan Zwagerman, Nuts and Bolts, Storm Lake
Great column! The biggest thing that bothers me about politics is the imminent danger we are in for losing our democratic government and the unimaginable damage that can be done to it over the next four years. I am trying hard to hold onto the faith that there must be enough Republicans in Congress that don’t want this to happen either that they will join the Democrats in fighting against this every step of the way. Saying all this, I plan on going into 2025 thinking positive and still holding onto my faith that there are enough of my fellow Americans who also plan on doing whatever they can to stop us from slipping over the edge to dictatorship.