Guilty X 34
...a unanimous verdict, plus lots of other good stuff from our collaborative writers
This week, a jury selected by both the defense and the prosecution team concluded after weeks of hearing testimony and reviewing documents, they unanimously pronounced Donald J. Trump guilty on ALL 34 counts, in a relatively short time. He is a felon.
How do Iowans respond?
Let’s see what our columnists have to say.
Iowa's top Republicans missed the most important point in their reaction to the guilty verdict against Donald Trump.
at Along the Mississippi writes their omission is clear proof of how far our state's political leadership has fallen.asks, So Now What, after Trump was found guilty on all counts? He also posts a video interview he did for Inside Iowa Politics of the right flank primary challenger to First District Republican Mariannette Miller-Meeks.
on Media says but for the porn star hush money scheme, Donald Trump might not have been president.
writes from Washington, DC that Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA) provided an example this past week of the crater Republicans are digging for themselves by normalizing Trump’s one-man crime wave; and that she also provided evidence that she’ll be no help to Republicans or America in recovering from Trump’s havoc.
has a different twist on the jury trial. Read her reflection.
Iowa Politics
has an exclusive interview with Senator Joni Ernst.
flags four primary election races she is watching.
Rape Victim Advocacy Program Demise
After 51 years of service, the Rape Victim Advocacy Program at the University of Iowa is Being Shut Down.
at Deep Midwest: Politics and Culture, thinks he knows why.Farm Bill
House Republicans are putting up a farm bill that guts nutrition programs and favors larger farms, which has no chance of getting past Senate Democrats. Art Cullen says it illustrates how unserious they are about governing and our basic enterprise: food.
Freedom to Flourish?
noticed that all of Iowa’s highway welcome signs are going to be replaced with Gov. Kim Reynolds’ “Freedom to Flourish” slogan, but what kind of freedom is it?
Avery Gregurich, The Five and Dime explores diet and identity through the passing of a new Iowa law banning the "misbranding" of lab-grown and plant-based meat.
columnist Cheryl Tevis looks at why a new Iowa law ramps up the risks for teen drivers in “The 100 Deadly Days of Summer”
Entertainment, Travel, Reading, and Dining
has a story retelling about playing a show in New York during the time another President was in the hot seat for attempting to tilt an election in his favor. ...and Herbie Hancock was part of the experience.
loves to travel. And hates to travel, too. He's listed five great U.S. cities that stir mixed feelings within him: NYC, Chicago, New Orleans, Atlanta and Las Vegas.
, in Reading with Rachelle, shares why James, by Percival Everett may be your favorite book this year.
Wini Moranville's newsletter featured guest contributor Seeta Mangra-Stubbs, who told us about some great food—including a new Korean spot—in a very inauspicious place.
Author wannabe? Finding Golden Rules in Life, Publishing, and Writing by
Sports
At The Crossover, stops in to visit the newest location in an emerging trend of bars for fans who want to watch women's sports, A Bar of Their Own in Minneapolis.
wonders if some WNBA players have heard enough about the "Caitlin Clark Effect" — and yes, it has to do with race. ‘Caitlyn Clark effect.’
Around Iowa
Arnold’s Park
The story of a tragedy that begot a signature amusement attraction. How the Spirit Lake Massacre put the ownership of a prime chunk of lakeshore land on West Okoboji in the hands of a dreamer who created Arnold’s Park. Check out and his column, Second Thoughts.
Alison McGaughey, The Inquisitive Quad Citizen found herself facing a 'personal attack' and a poignant emotional milestone all at once.
In Brecht's Beat this week, contemplates what makes a "weird neighbor" weird - and whether he might be one.
filed two short reports, both from Provence, France, after guesting (from France) on Julie's Monday potluck get-together. Marianne is luring quilt enthusiasts (and the quilt-curious) to Winterset on Saturday, June 8, for the Airing of the Quilts.
From her basement bunker, faces down a tornado with a poem and a banjo tune.
Carter Lake is a well-known quirk in Iowa’s borders, but do you know about the Sullivan Line marker? has more on both.
In this week’s “Showing Up” column, Kurt Meyer reflects on Memorial Day and two boyhood figures — a doctor and a soldier -- who were “just doing a job” in Vietnam.
has a confession to make...a guilty pleasure we all might have.
Iowa Boy invited a couple of his Des Moines pals, well-known business & philanthropic leaders Larry and Kathi Zimpleman, to the jewel of a ballpark in little Rippey (pop. 217) Friday night in Greene County. The attraction was a high school baseball game between the Zimplemans’ alma mater Williamsburg High’s Raiders and the Creston Panthers. “I think this is how baseball is supposed to be,” said Kathi. And Larry used a line he’d heard elsewhere: “Is this heaven?” Creston won a great game, 7-5. In Chuck’s 18 photos, you’ll see why teams at many levels are finding opponents and scheduling games in Rippey.
The Waterloo West High Class of 1965 paid a high price in the Vietnam War.
pays his respects in a new “View from the Cedar Valley” column. A tale of war, death, and love -- dedicated to a brother (substack.com)Humor
From A Lifestyle change for the health of it.
Poetry
offers a news response poem called "That's a Good Girl." Written some time ago and accepted by Text Power Telling Magazine, a publication for survivors or allies of survivors of sexual violence, it is relevant to news this week.
reflects on themes of displacement and how communities, families, and dreams are impacted. Powerful.
What is the Iowa Writers’ Collaborative?
There are now over 50 members of the Iowa Writers’ Collaborative from around the state, and one is reporting from Washington, D.C. Each is an independent columnist who shares two things in common: they have made a living as writers, and they are interested in the state of Iowa. We also have a Letters From Iowans section to highlight commentary by others.
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