Iowa’s Democracy on the Brink: Human Rights Stripped, Ukraine Betrayed, and the Climate Crisis Ignored
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to the Iowa Writers’ Collaborative. Meet the insider with a journalist’s eye and a public servant’s heart. As the former opinion editor of The Des Moines Register and now chief of staff for the Polk County Attorney’s Office, he’s seen justice from both the press box and the prosecutor’s office. In True Justice, he peels back the curtain on the court system—not for the headlines, but for the humanity behind them.
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This Week’s Major Takeaways from the Iowa Writers' Collaborative
It might be cold outside, but Iowans are hot because of radical changes sweeping the state and nation. From protests at Effigy Mounds to the Capitol Rotunda, Iowans clamored to be heard. But weren’t.
🔥 Iowa’s government is pushing aggressive anti-trans policies and eroding civil rights. The Iowa Legislature fast-tracked a law stripping transgender Iowans of protected class status, making Iowa the first state in the nation to do so. Governor Reynolds signed it in a private ceremony, with no press or cameras present. Writers including Dave Busiek, Dan Henderson, Laura Belin, and Rekha Basu break down how this unprecedented rollback of rights is reshaping Iowa.
🔥 U.S. credibility is unraveling on the world stage as Ukraine fights for survival.
Admiral Michael Franken warns that America is losing trust globally, as the White House ambushed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and NATO allies question U.S. commitment. Michael Judge highlights how Trump’s betrayal of Ukraine at the United Nations has weakened America’s position and emboldened authoritarian regimes.
🔥 The environment, education, and journalism face mounting threats—but stories of resilience persist.
Climate scientists are being silenced as NOAA faces massive staffing cuts (Chris Gloninger).
Iowa’s ethanol industry faces an uncertain future due to shifting federal policies (Ken Chester).
Public education is under attack, as Iowa legislators push misguided reforms (Cheryl Tevis, Jeff Morrison, Rachelle Chase).
Local journalism is fighting back, as Substack’s founder praises the Iowa Writers' Collaborative as a model for the future (Julie Gammack).
🔥 Hope, resistance, and creativity endure.
Protesters are fighting back against civil rights rollbacks (Larry Stone, Douglas Burns, Joan Zwagerman).
Artists and musicians continue to tell important stories, from spoken word to indie music (Phoebe Wall Howard, Maxwell Schaefer).
Political satire and commentary shine a light on the absurdity of the moment (Richard Gilbert, Romen Borsellino).
💡 Why It Matters:
Iowa is at the center of national conversations on democracy, human rights, and political extremism. The fight for civil liberties, press freedom, and a livable planet is far from over. This week’s stories remind us that people are paying attention and speaking out.
📢 Stay informed. Read, share, and support independent journalism.
Iowa Writers’ Collaborative Sunday Roundup by Category
🏛 Iowa Politics
As Iowa Republicans move to strip gender identity from the state’s Civil Rights Act, more than 2,500 protesters filled the Capitol in one of the largest demonstrations in years—a moment so powerful it even gave pause to a Christian school administrator who testified for the bill.
Robert Leonard – With fiery speeches, raw emotion, and a Substack Live broadcast capturing the growing resistance, this column takes you inside the battle for civil rights in Iowa—where the stakes couldn’t be higher.
Read moreRobert Leonard — With firsthand accounts, powerful interviews, and a stark breakdown of the bill’s far-reaching consequences, Leonard exposes the political maneuvering, the science-denying rhetoric, and the real lives at stake.
Douglas Burns – In The Iowa Mercury, guest writer Parker Williamson delivers a brilliant and heartbreaking column on the rollback of civil rights in Iowa.
Read moreLaura Belin – Laura Belin and Spencer Dirks discuss the transgender discrimination bill, other news from the legislature, and the clash between State Auditor Rob Sand and Governor Kim Reynolds over auditing school voucher funds.
Read moreDave Price – Iowa Down Ballot looks at why a major legislative story brought out so many protesters and what the approved bill could mean.
Read moreMary Swander (Buggy Land) – What do balloons, school closings, and demolitions have in common?
Read moreDan Henderson – Cowardly GOP lawmakers have taken away transgender rights. Who will be next?
Read moreCheryl Tevis – Some Iowa legislators need to do their homework before imposing ill-informed higher education reforms.
Read moreDave Busiek – The Iowa statehouse is now a factory spewing hate across our state.
Read moreRichard Gilbert – Sh*t Richard says is back! The Iowa legislature and Governor made a mockery of the Iowa State Seal.
Read more
🇺🇸 National Politics
Barry Piatt – Iowans in Congress have turned into a delegation of “Rip Van Winkles,” seemingly sleeping through one of the most destructive weeks in Washington, DC.
Read moreLarry Stone – Larry Stone joined more than 100 protesters at Effigy Mounds National Monument to decry cuts to federal jobs and natural resources funding.
Read moreEd Tibbetts – In the face of the Trump-Zelensky blowup, Iowa's congressional delegation ducked for cover.
Read moreJoan Zwagerman – The SAVE Act aims to disenfranchise women voters and marginalized citizens. Here’s a satirical take.
Read moreDennis Goldford – American politics is failing because repeated falsehoods are being widely accepted as truth.
Read more🌍 World Affairs
Julie Gammack – Admiral Michael Franken delivers a blistering assessment of U.S. foreign policy, exposing a White House showdown with Zelensky, NATO’s growing distrust, and the creeping threat of authoritarianism at home.
Read moreMichael Judge – TFP is honored to publish this important guest essay by international trade and human-rights attorney Thomas B. Wilner on why President Trump’s betrayal of Ukraine at the U.N. has damaged U.S. credibility and made the world a more dangerous place.
Read more
Local Journalism
Sarah Scull – Sarah Scull has gone rogue! Check out how she’s helping her neighbors keep a finger on the pulse of what’s going on in and around Creston, Iowa, in her newest publication, “The Union Sun.”
Read more
🌈 Diversity in the Heartland
Rekha Basu – What Basu witnessed in 2016 when a transgender male used the women's room—as Iowa's new anti-civil-rights law will require.
Read moreDana James, Black Iowa News – From the gutting of civil rights protections to the erasure of Black history and relentless political power grabs, a panel of Black Iowans gathers for a raw and urgent discussion about the state of democracy, racial justice, and the fight for equity in Iowa.
Julie Gammack — A special showing of a film about Black history in Iowa included a panel discussion featuring filmmaker Steve Berry and Ako Abdul Samad, facilitated by Abena Sankofa Imhotep. Julie recorded it on Substack Live.
🏡 Around Iowa (features about places and things)
Art Cullen
These are lean days in Storm Lake. Lake Avenue was empty as a Sunday last Wednesday . . .
Read more
🌾 Agriculture
Ken Chester – Does Iowa-produced ethanol have a future? With 62% of Iowa's corn going to ethanol, changes in federal policy could shake up the industry.
Read more
📚 Education
Rachelle Chase – In Ep. 10 of Reading with Rachelle, Chase discusses the book, "Living the Legacy of African American Education" with author Dr. Sheryl Croft.
Read moreJeff Morrison – How have Iowa school district enrollments changed since 2000? Waukee’s recent growth is astounding.
Read more
🎶 Music
Phoebe Wall Howard – A 21-year-old shatters his guitar and turns disappointment into a dream career.
Read moreMaxwell Schaefer – On Iowa CoffeeCast, Jason Walsmith of The Nadas shares stories about life on the road and the struggles of independent musicians.
Read more
🌎 Weather and Environment
David Thoreson – The Earth is out of balance. Climate scientists warned us, now they are being silenced. We are in a full-blown climate emergency.
Read moreChris Gloninger – Breaking News: NOAA Cuts 600 Staff. Americans will be less safe as a result.
Read moreChris Gloninger
"Harvesting Tomorrow" explores how agriculture must adapt to a changing climate, balancing innovation and sustainability to feed the future.
Read more🏀 Sports
Daniel P. Finney
When the smiles are worth more than points, Daniel P. Finney takes us courtside at a Unified Sports basketball game.
Read more
📝 Poetry
Suzanna de Baca – "Six Haiku: Embers in the Frost" – a news response poem.
Read more🎭 Human Interest (Interviews)
Vicki Minor
The Journey of a Writer: Jane Nguyen's Unique Perspective
Read more❤️ Health
Art Cullen
Art Cullen was well enough after heart surgery to climb back on his soapbox and tell Trump & Musk: Hands off my health care! Miracles happen in Iowa City because of federal research funding.
Read more
📰 Business
John Naughton – Ever wondered if it's worth sitting through a high-pressure timeshare pitch? Read this first.
Read moreDiana Wright — Check out the Iowa Startup Collective.
Read moreJulie Gammack – Co-founder of Substack Hamish McKenzie praises the Iowa Writers' Collaborative as a unique model for local journalism.
Read more
🎭 Political Comedy
Romen Borsellino – Borsellino cheered against the United States when faced off against Canada in hockey last week. Hear why before labeling him a traitor to our country.
Read more
PODCASTS
Chris Gloninger
Harvesting Tomorrow
Read more
Chris Gloninger
Breaking News: NOAA Cuts 600 Staff
Read more
Dave Price
Iowa Down Ballot: Iowa Statehouse Protest
Read more
Julie Gammack
WSJ’s Tim Higgins on Elon Musk
Read more
Ken Chester
Does Iowa-Produced Ethanol Have a Future?
Read more
Ken Chester
DeepSeek AI Turns American AI Industry Upside Down
Read more
EVENTS
March 6, 2025
📍 Immigration and Business Luncheon
Writer: Rekha Basu
Location: DoubleTree by Hilton, 350 1st Avenue NE, Cedar Rapids
Cost: Not specified
More Info: Event Details
📍 Keynote Speaker, Immigration and Business Awards Luncheon
Writer: Rekha Basu
Location: Hilton Cedar Rapids Convention Complex, 350 1st Avenue NE, Cedar Rapids
Cost: Not specified
More Info: Event Details
March 7, 2025
📍 Mary Swander Reading
Writer: Mary Swander (Buggy Land)
Location: Slater, IA, Public Library
Cost: Free
More Info: No link available
March 10, 2025
📍 Iowa: Portrait of the Land
Writer: Larry Stone
Location: Terrace Hill, Des Moines
Cost: Free, but registration required
More Info: Advance registration required via Eventbrite or call 515-281-7205
📍 Iowa: Portrait of the Land
Writer: Larry Stone
Location: Terrace Hill Drawing Room, Des Moines
Cost: Free, but registration required
More Info: Call 515-281-7205 or register via Eventbrite
March 15, 2025
📍 Wine: Off the Beaten Path Tasting Class
Writer: Beth Hoffman
Location: Whippoorwill Creek Farm, Lovilia, Iowa
Cost: $100
More Info: Introduction to Wine
📍 Wine: Off the Beaten Path
Writer: Beth Hoffman
Location: Whippoorwill Creek Farm, Lovilia, Iowa
Cost: $100
More Info: Introduction to Wine
March 22, 2025
📍 DSM Book Festival: Iowa Writers' Collaborative Panel
Writer: Panel About the Iowa Writers’ Collaborative: Julie Gammack, Dave Busiek, Rachelle Chase, Laura Belin, Robert Leonard, Beth Hoffman, Nicole Baart
Location: Franklin Event Center, 4801 Franklin Avenue, Des Moines
Cost: None
More Info: DSM Book Festival
📍 An Evening with Carol Montag and the Songs of Joni Mitchell
Writer: Carol Montag
Location: The Wilson Performing Arts Center, 300 Commerce Dr., Red Oak, IA
Cost: $30
More Info: Wilson Performing Arts
September 28 - October 1, 2025
📍 The Okoboji Writers' and Songwriters' Retreat
Writer: Julie Gammack
Location: West Lake Okoboji
Cost: $895
More Info: Okoboji Writers' Retreat
SPEAKERS BUREAU
Did you catch the Iowa Writers’ Collaborative Flipside last week?
Welcome to Lynn Hicks! Will be a great addition to the collaborative!
Ukraine will never win the war with Russia. To say so is pure disrespect for the poor people on both sides are fed into the meat grinder of war and the rich men north of Richmond keep filling the industrial war complex coffers, while simultaneously the Rich Ukrainians are hiding out in Western Europe.
Time to stop killing the young men and old poor men of both countries.