Kim Reynolds Ducks the Spotlight, Trump Melts Down, and Iowa Burns—Inside the Political Inferno You Won’t See on the 10 O’Clock News”

...a history lesson about US ships, a business story about bitcoin, and musing about 'spiritual blackouts'

From Art Cullen on Trump’s unraveling grip to Rekha Basu on refugee despair, Nicole Baart’s call to action, and Dennis Goldford’s warning about due process, this week’s Iowa Writers’ Collaborative roundup delivers a sweeping dose of politics, purpose, and public reckoning. Dave Price weighs his take on the current Iowa GOP ‘family feud.’ Meteorologists weigh in on the high cost of climate change denial in Chris Gloninger’s post.

Michael Judge has a must-read story: She Was Marked for Death by Russia—Now She’s Exposing the War They Don’t Want You to See. Find it in World Affairs.

Welcome to our new subscribers: The Iowa Writers’ Collaborative Sunday Roundup is a bold experiment in local commentary, bringing together professional writers with a shared interest in Iowa’s politics, people, ideas, innovation—and yes, sometimes poetry. Midweek, we present the Flipside edition focusing on leisure and lifestyle stories.

Today’s edition features 38 columns. Each one is packed with insight, information, and sometimes a welcome smile.

Iowa Writers’ Collaborative readers know things other people don’t. Translation? Your cool factor just went up.

Smile. You’re in. Tell a friend? That’s how we grow.

National politics

• Barry Piatt: Barry Piatt, writing from Washington, DC, says the interminable delay by Congress in passing a new Farm Bill — now 582 days overdue! — is looking more and more like a costly, colossal blunder. Read more

• Dennis Goldford: Due process is the key to what is inalienable about our rights, and we are all in serious political trouble without its continued operation. Read more

• Matt Russell: Team building for Democrats can't wait until the midterms. Protesting Americans are building that team right now. Read more

• Phoebe Wall Howard: The controversial site X (formerly Twitter) has earned a reputation for spreading misinformation. But the new head of X media strategy says the site is the future of journalism. Read more

• Rekha Basu: An abrupt, callous notification by DHS Secretary Kristi Noem to deport Afghan refugees — resettled in Iowa after the U.S. pullout — has families considering the worst possible way out of being subjected to Taliban forces. Read more

• Rick Morain: Cuts from DOGE have begun to affect Greene County, Iowa, organizations. Here are three — there will no doubt be more. Read more

  

  Photo from Matt Russell’s column

---

Iowa politics

• Art Cullen: Trump has done enough deep political damage already to make the inconceivable plausible — such as electing a Democrat governor in Iowa. Read more

• Cheryl Tevis: Cheryl Tevis advocates for Iowa lawmakers to pass legislation to restore the health of Iowa's pharmacies. Read more

• Dave Price: It’s the political version of Family Feud. Dave Price looks at what happens when private disagreements go public. Read more

• Dave Price: Iowa's governor vs. the House speaker. A dozen Senate Republicans challenge their party's leadership. Read more

• Laura Belin: Laura Belin wrote about Ashley Hinson's tight embrace of Donald Trump — which could hurt her with swing voters in 2026 but may be essential for 2028 ambitions. Read more

• Laura Belin: On KHOI’s Capitol Week, Laura and Spencer Dirks covered new lawsuits over executive privilege and a flurry of legislative news. Read more

• Randy Evans: Gov. Kim Reynolds is using “executive privilege” to shield herself from scrutiny she finds embarrassing. Read more

• Robert Leonard: Bob Leonard reacts to an Iowa GOP legislator bullying the Iowa Migrant Movement for Justice. Read more

• Todd Dorman: Iowa’s all-powerful governor wants executive privilege to keep documents secret. Read more

• Zachary Oren Smith: This week on Cornhole Champions: why Gov. Reynolds is blocking public records and the youth mental health crisis in Iowa. Read more

  ---

Agriculture

• Darcy Maulsby: Iowa’s rich soils are one of the state's most valuable assets. Learn the four principles that ensure their vitality and water quality. Read more

• Nina Elkadi: Nina Elkadi reports on her observations of modern desert agriculture. Read more

• Wini Moranville: Wini Moranville shares a lively farm event supporting a local farmer, a musical duo, and a food writer—all in one lovely afternoon. Read more

  

  Iowa Writers’ Collaborative members Kathyn Severing Fox and Chad Elliott appear at an IWC event for paid subscribers

---

Weather and Environment

• Chris Gloninger: Mermaids, megalodons and climate change. Read more

  ---

Around Iowa

• Chuck Offenburger: Chuck Offenburger recaps a unique initiative for population growth & diversity in Greene County, featured on Iowa PBS's Iowa Press. Read more

---

Business

• Rick Jost: Cryptocurrency: Worth the Trouble? It's the flavor of the year for well-heeled traders, and even President Donald Trump is selling it. Read more

  

---

Entertainment & Travel

• Rachelle Chase: In Reading with Rachelle, this week Rachelle Chase discusses Ryan Coogler's blockbuster movie, Sinners—and the perfect timing of its success. Read more

---

Humor

• Daniel P. Finney: Recent tweets by Scooby-Doo and things that will never make sense are not the same column, but they’re both in the latest Finney’s 5. Read more

---

Iowa at Large

• Arnold Garson: The new USS Iowa comes from a proud line of Naval ships named for the state and its people. Read more

• Arnold Garson: The unlikely connection between a New York industrialist of the Gilded Age and one of Iowa's smaller, rural counties. Read more

• Jeff Morrison: Cedar Rapids had a groundbreaking for the Alliant Energy LightLine Bridge. Jeff Morrison looks at what led up to this project. Read more

---

Law and Justice

• Dana James: Trump’s call to export incarceration is a coded threat to Black Americans—and a chilling glimpse into a global future for mass incarceration. Read more

• Lynn Hicks: Is the Iowa Supreme Court paying attention to child victims of abuse? The state stands alone in how it treats minor victims. Read more

---

Media

• Dave Busiek: Corporate owners are trashing trust in 60 Minutes, according to Dave Busiek on Media. Read more

  

---

Public Affairs

• Nicole Baart: As the news continues to churn out shocking stories, Nicole Baart encourages us not to look away—and offers practical ways to make a difference. Read more

---

Spiritual

• Debra Engle: Spiritual blackouts can leave you feeling alone and untethered. Here's some comfort to get you through those challenging times. Read more

---

Strictly Personal

• Julie Gammack: Julie weaves a story of azaleas and heartbreak—why some relationships just can’t survive in the wrong zone. Read more

  

• Lea Donovan: Midwestern actor musings. Read more

---

World Affairs

• Michael Judge: Maria Romanenko fled Ukraine with her partner when she was reportedly placed on a Russian kill list—now, from exile, she’s keeping the memories of murdered colleagues alive and fighting for the future of a free Ukraine. From the gravesite of journalist Maks Levin to the founding of All for Ukraine, her story is a searing reminder that while Russia can kill the truth-tellers, it cannot kill the truth. Read more

• Pat Kinney: Ambassador Kenneth Quinn honored Darwin Judge, a Marine killed during the fall of Saigon, at the Iowa Veterans Home 50 years later. Read more

---

Poetry

• Suzanna de Baca: Suzanna de Baca shares a news poem called The Electric Company in response to headlines this week. Read more

• Teresa Zilk: A reshare of the poem Calling to the Deep and the truth about its creation. Read more

---

Madison County Event for Paid Subscribers

Join the Iowa Writers' Collaborative for a special screening of Storm Lake, the award-winning documentary featuring Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist Art Cullen and his family’s battle to keep local news alive in small-town Iowa.

Saturday, July 26

3 to 5 pm: private screening of "Storm Lake" documentary film at the Iowa Theater, free to IWC writers and all PAID subscribers, followed by Q&A with guest of honor Art Cullen. Free popcorn, paid concessions. (Non-paid subscribers and public members can attend for $20.)

5:30 to 7 pm: Robust appetizers with a cash bar will be served at The Winterset Livery (an event space once a horse livery, just off the square), which is open free to paid subscribers. Non-paid subscribers who paid to attend the movie are also welcome to attend the after-party.

We’ll gather at the beautifully restored Iowa Theater, located right on Winterset’s historic town square. This jewel-box venue—fresh off a $1.2 million renovation—boasts plush seating, a stellar sound system, and the warm, welcoming ambiance of a classic small-town theater.

What’s Showing:
Storm Lake (2021; 1 hour 25 minutes)
The powerful story of a scrappy newsroom, a resilient town, and the enduring importance of local journalism.

Snacks & Sips:
Iowa-grown popcorn with real butter, local beer, wine, hard cider, Coca-Cola products, hot coffee, and a nostalgic spread of classic candies will all be available for purchase at the concession stand.

Post-Screening Conversation:
Stay after the film for a conversation with Art Cullen himself, moderated by Iowa Writers' Collaborative founder and longtime journalist Julie Gammack.

Evening Gathering:
Wrap up the day with appetizers and a cash bar at a charming event space just off the square. It's a perfect chance to connect with fellow IWC members, their subscribers, and celebrate the power of storytelling in person.

Make a Day of It:
Arrive early to stroll the shops on Winterset’s historic square or take a scenic drive to the famed Covered Bridges of Madison County.

Tickets:
Admission is free for all paid subscribers (one ticket per subscription). Want to bring a guest? A plus-one is welcome to join you for both the film and the gathering afterward for just $20.

Please let us know if you can join us by RSVP’ing here: https://forms.gle/Vp7AjdN9mGAF5iiG7

---

Our Roster