Rick Jost Joins Iowa Writers' Collaborative, Adding Business Insight
. . . it's been a wild week in national and local politics, of course
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The Iowa Writers' Collaborative is taking a significant step forward in expanding its coverage of Iowa’s economic landscape with the addition of columnist Rick Jost, a veteran business journalist known for his sharp analysis and deep reporting. Rick’s expertise in breaking down complex financial and economic stories will give readers a clearer understanding of the forces shaping Iowa’s industries, workforce, and communities. From corporate accountability to rural business trends, his reporting will go beyond the numbers to uncover the real impact of economic shifts on everyday Iowans.
Rick’s inclusion strengthens the Collaborative’s commitment to delivering insightful, independent journalism that helps readers make sense of the state’s evolving economy. Whether covering workforce shortages, major policy decisions, or the rise of renewable energy in Iowa, his work will add much-needed depth to business and public policy discussions. His ability to connect business trends to broader social and political movements will make his reporting an essential read for anyone invested in Iowa’s future.
, former managing editor of The Des Moines Register and Iowa Writers’ Collaborative columnist, had this to say about Rick joining the group:“Rick Jost was a go-to journalist for whatever was needed at a large newspaper with lots of resources in a bygone era. He served on The Des Moines Register's city desk and business desk — and, as he reminded me in a recent conversation, when we needed a first-rate talent to cover City Hall, probably the most critical reporting job in the room, I turned to him. He has seen it all, and he can do it all. He told me about a few of his columns and ideas for the IWC, and I'm already a subscriber. Please join me. I promise you won't be disappointed.”
Today, Rick introduces his new column, Biz Whispers: Fresh Iowa Business News and Commentary. Rick's debut this morning features four columns: a "howdy" introduction, a fun list of his top business movies, a deep dive into Hy-Vee, and an off-the-wall merger idea. Check out Rick's work as he broadens our subject portfolio with Iowa business coverage!
Adding Jost and Diana Wright, a champion of Iowa’s startup ecosystem and a writer connected to the state’s entrepreneurial community, provides readers with important information. Diana’s expertise in fostering new businesses and innovation will complement Rick’s reporting, giving readers a well-rounded view of established industries and emerging ventures. Together, these writers bring a fresh, much-needed focus to Iowa’s business and economic landscape—an area of coverage that will now be stronger than ever within the Collaborative.
Exploring Iowa’s Stories: Diversity, Politics, and the Unexpected
From the bustling streets of Waterloo to the highest peaks of Africa, from Iowa’s Statehouse debates to the hidden gems of our local food scene, the Iowa Writers' Collaborative delivers a broad and bold mix of perspectives.
Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones returns to her hometown to inspire young readers, while political analysts break down the latest moves in the Iowa Legislature and beyond. Whether you're following the fight for refugee relief, diving into the surprising history of Sioux City’s Jewish community, or craving the best Steak de Burgo deal in town, our writers bring you the stories that matter.
And for those keeping an eye on national politics, we’ve got sharp commentary on Congress, Trump, and the forces shaping America’s future. Buckle up—this week’s coverage is packed with insight, analysis, and maybe even a few surprises.
It’s “funnel week” during the Iowa Legislative session. Check out seasoned political analysts who explain this in the podcast Iowa Down Ballot.
National Politics
Rekha Basu
Republican members of Congress cheered and applauded everything Trump said. What happened to their role as guardrails?
Read moreEd Tibbetts
Donald Trump's on-again, off-again tariffs are hurting the US economy. Ed Tibbetts at Along the Mississippi suggests Democrats need a better message to appeal to voters who still believe these tariffs will help lure manufacturing back to the US.
Read moreCheryl Tevis
In her column this week, Tevis reflects on blizzards, power outages, and how the storms brewing in our nation's Capitol call upon us to speak truth to power.
Read moreLetters from Iowans
President Trump's acts of isolationism, exclusion, and pettiness are not making America great again—they’re making America small again, John Cain writes in Letters From Iowans.
Read moreStacey Walker
In his column this week, Stacey explores how political movements can erode essential ethical and moral boundaries, leading to a dangerous normalization of contradictions and abuses of power. He examines the role of cognitive dissonance in allowing individuals to justify the unjustifiable, warning that when society collectively rationalizes the erosion of democratic norms, tyranny does not arrive with a sudden crash but through a slow, relentless dismantling of limits. Read more
Richard Gilbert
With pandemics, politics, and cod liver oil cocktails on the table, this administration's remedies leave a bitter taste.Beth Hoffman
The Iowa legislature is at it again—this time to improve school lunch or just to sell more pork? Their actions indicate a national trend to end national standards for school lunch.
Dennis Goldford
Republicans used to be the party of urban, industrial America, while Democrats were the party of rural, agricultural America. Since the 1960s, though, that division has reversed.
Joan Zwagerman: Those stolen documents are still out there, at Mar-a-Lago, and they are not HIS. - Read more
Iowa Politics
Dave Price
What is so unique about "funnel week?" What bills will be ones to watch? And what will happen with the Republicans' new property tax idea? The Iowa Down Ballot podcast takes a deep dive inside the Statehouse.
Read moreRobert Leonard
Leonard covers a protest at the Iowa Capitol.
Read moreLeonard interviews Iowans who are fighting for refugee relief.
Read moreLaura Belin
Given the choice, most legislators won't cast a potentially career-ending vote. Laura Belin profiled the six Iowa Republicans who took a public stand against the transgender discrimination bill.
Read more
Belin and Spencer Dirks spent much of "KHOI's Capitol Week" talking about the fast-tracking of a discriminatory bill. They also covered other news from the Iowa legislature and Congress, and the official campaign launch of Mariannette Miller-Meeks' GOP challenger.
Read moreChris Jones
Jones examines the 2010 voting data for the Iowa Water and Land Legacy Act (IWLL) and Republican refusal to follow the will of the voters . . .
Read moreTodd Dorman
The Iowa Natural Resources and Outdoor Recreation Fund, approved by voters in 2010, is empty. And, sadly, it's going to stay that way . . .
Read moreZachary Oren Smith
Funnel Week came in like a freight train. On this episode of Cornhole Champions, Zach and Amie catch up on what bills are still making their way through the session. Toss some bags and talk about legislation with them weekly on Wednesday mornings.
Dave Price
The jab, the job, and the speech. Dave Price was suprised by one, expected another and is still trying to figure out the impact of the third in Dave Price's Perspective this week. Read more
Media
Dave Busiek
Dave Busiek on Media shares some reasons why network news anchors are leaving.
Read here
Business
Rick Jost
Today, Rick Jost introduces his new column, Biz Whispers: Fresh Iowa Business News and Commentary. Rick's debut features four columns: a "howdy" introduction, a fun list of his top business movies, a deep dive into Hy-Vee, and an off-the-wall merger idea.
Read moreSteve Semken
The Invisible Is Just, So, Obvious and Being the Odd Man Out.
Read here
Diversity in the Heartland
Pat Kinney
Waterloo-born Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones of "The 1619 Project" is hosting an "African-American Read-In" event for all young people in her hometown.
Read more
Sports
Tory Brecht
Anywhere you go on Earth, you just might run into a fellow Hawkeye. Even on top of the highest mountain on the continent of Africa.
Read more
Climate and Religion
Chris Gloninger
Communicating climate impacts to people of faith in Iowa.
Read more
Culture
Hannah Breckbill
The legumes people eat are different across the Atlantic! Farmer Hannah celebrates food culture in Palestine and the Americas.
Read more
Iowa at Large
Arnold Garson
Sioux City became one of the largest Jewish communities in the Upper Midwest in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Among the Jewish families from Belarus and Russia that settled there were the ancestors of two Nobel Prize winners and a Russian spy, all of whom virtually changed the American landscape.
Read moreIn a second column this week, Garson writes about the rise and fall of the majority Jewish community in the Midwest. Read more
Around Iowa
Julie Gammack
Step inside the legendary Three Sons Clothing Store in Milford, Iowa, for a rare and lively conversation with Herman and Matt Richter, the heart behind this iconic shop and early champions of the University of Okoboji—watch now for a dose of history, humor, and hometown charm!
Read moreChuck Offenburger
Iowa Boy Chuck Offenburger and his wife Mary Riche have been AWOL, with a funeral in the family, multiple surgeries, infusions to boost Chuck’s immune system, and a case of Influenza A. But the column now returns.
Read more
Public Affairs
Dartanyan L. Brown
Dartanyan offers two posts this week. 1. A post featuring an artifact of the 1968 Goldwater/Johnson campaign. 2. A podcast featuring the soundtrack to Elon Musk's trip to Mars . . . permanently.
Read more
World Affairs
Michael Judge
Nearly two years after she was killed by a Russian missile strike, Victoria Amelina's unflinching 320-page book of nonfiction, "Looking at Women Looking at War: A War and Justice Diary," is published.
Read morePoetry
Suzanna de Baca
Suzanna de Baca shares a news response poem, "The State of the Union at Our House."
Read moreThe Iowa Writers’ Collaborative
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