RIP Jay Byers: Plus, The Political Column That’ll Make You Spit Out Your Coffee
...welcome, Rick Morain
Several Iowa Writers’ Collaborative members paid tribute to the late Jay Byers, honoring his remarkable legacy as a bridge-builder, visionary, and tireless advocate for Iowa.
offered a heartfelt remembrance of Byers' transformative leadership at Simpson College and the Greater Des Moines Partnership, highlighting the profound personal and civic loss felt across the state. Followed by a Haiku tribute by .These reflections remind us not only of Byers' accomplishments but of the powerful ripple effect one passionate leader can have on a community.
This Week….
From deep-fried pickles on Mackinac Island to deep dives into Iowa politics, this week’s roundup is a full-spectrum showcase of wit, wisdom, and wickedly good writing from across the state and beyond. Whether you’re here for jazz, justice, poetry, or political takedowns, you’ll find something worth savoring in these 33 standout columns.
But first, introducing Rick Morain: A Trusted Voice in Tumultuous Times
We’re honored to welcome Rick Morain—longtime editor and columnist of the Jefferson Bee—to the Iowa Writers’ Collaborative. Rick has been a steady and principled voice in Iowa journalism for decades, chronicling the state’s triumphs and challenges with clarity, courage, and a deep moral compass. His writing is rooted in rural Iowa and unafraid to call out abuses of power wherever they arise.
You can read his first post here:
📍 “Collective punishment” is bullying
Your Sunday Roundup
🏛️ National Politics
Arnold Garson
It turns out that a guy who is reported to have paid someone to take his college entrance exam does know something about running a major university. Like, how to destroy it.
🔗 Read it here
Barry Piatt
Barry Piatt writes that he gives Senator Chuck Grassley credit for holding a town meeting, but takes issue with Grassley’s claim in Ft. Madison this past week that there is nothing he can do to stop government street abductions and immediate deportations without due process. Read more in “Barry Piatt on Politics: Behind the Curtains.”
🔗 Read it here
Dave Busiek
The worst hundred days of a new administration.
🔗 Read it here
Ed Tibbetts
Donald Trump could bring Kilmar Abrego García home with one phone call. Ed Tibbetts at Along the Mississippi writes that only the corrupt or clueless pretend otherwise.
🔗 Read it here
Kurtis Meyer
Kurt Meyer believes knowing, understanding, and respecting history is essential to our nation’s future. In this week’s column, he notes we’re not currently pointed in that direction.
🔗 Read it here
Dennis Goldford
There's a lot to be learned from the MAGA Constitution.
🔗 Read it here
Letters from Iowans (John Hale)
John Hale was in Arizona and attended a protest against the Trump administration. His takeaway: It’s not good to piss off old folks.
🔗 Read it here
🐖 Iowa Politics
Art Cullen
In rural Iowa, the brand is so damaged that Democrats are afraid to identify as such, Art Cullen notes.
🔗 Read it here
Randy Evans
Randy Evans: Officials in Iowa's Decatur County are the latest to learn they should not use the power of government to try to punish, harass or silence their critics. The lesson is being delivered by attorneys with a national nonprofit law firm, the Institute for Justice, on behalf of a local retiree.
🔗 Read it here
Todd Dorman
Brenna Bird is contemplating a run for governor. Lord help us.
🔗 Read it here
Rekha Basu
Kim Reynolds' tenure as governor has been a nightmare for everyone. Let's get it right next time.
🔗 Read it here
Laura Belin
On "KHOI's Capitol Week," Laura Belin and Spencer Dirks covered fallout from Governor Kim Reynolds' bombshell announcement, Democrats targeting Iowa's second Congressional district, and lots of news from the Iowa legislature.
🔗 Read it here
Laura Belin
Laura Belin interviewed Nathan Sage to learn about his background, why he's running, his case against Ernst, why Democrats should take a chance on him, and more.
🔗 Read it here
Zachary Oren Smith
On this episode of Cornhole Champions, we toss bags and dig into Iowa's 2026 Senate race, featuring interviews with potential Democratic challengers to US Sen. Joni Ernst. State legislators Zach Walls, J.D. Scholten, and Josh Turek, plus newcomer Nathan Sage, discuss their visions for healthcare reform, economic fairness, and representing working-class Iowans in Washington DC.
🔗 Read it here
Ed Tibbetts
Kim Reynolds’ decision not to run for re-election is a gift to Iowa Democrats. Tibbetts says they now have plenty of ammunition to run on against her successor in 2026.
🔗 Read it here
💼 Business
Rick Jost
Five years after the pandemic, downtown Des Moines has regained its footing. But old habits have changed.
🔗 Read it here
🧠 Mental Health
Kali White VanBaale
Kali White VanBaale writes in a new Minding the Gaps column, "Didn't Meet the Standards," about the Pennsylvania governor's residence arson case and the struggle in Iowa to get a psychiatric deterioration law passed.
🔗 Read it here
⚖️ Law and Justice
Lynn Hicks
Want an answer to increased homelessness? It's easy: Just outlaw it! Or, instead of wasting money, we could invest it in what we know actually works.
🔗 Read it here
🌪️ Weather and Environment
Chris Gloninger
Please listen to our tremendous guest, John Norris, on our Three Degrees Podcast: Soil, Storms & Strategy: What Iowa Can Teach the World About Climate Resilience.
🔗 Read it here
David Thoreson
I'm sailing across the Pacific Ocean now but this voyage started in the Northwest Passage where I joined the National Geographic team and the sailboat Polar Sun. My current column connects me with the Pacific with much more to come with climate, oceanography and plastic pollution.
🔗 Read it here
🎵 Music
Dartanyan L. Brown
This Week's entry in Dartanyan's Jazz Appreciation Month series features Interviews and music from local Iowa Jazz history.
🔗 Read it here
📚 Poetry
Teresa Zilk
A call to rising, resilience, and remembrance.
🔗 Read it here
Suzanna de Baca
Suzanna de Baca shares a poem called "Tribute Haiku."
🔗 Read it here
😂 Humor
Daniel P. Finney
Finney’s 5: Odd things found in Easter baskets, real reasons why Kim Reynolds quit, and ruin a movie with a Trump policy.
🔗 Read it here
Vicki Minor
Easter Unwrapped
🔗 Read it here
🚘 Car Culture
Phoebe Wall Howard
An exhausted Serena Williams hides from her kid on Good Friday, seeking a 10-minute break from parenting in a Lincoln Navigator. Her confession triggered a funny response.
🔗 Read it here
🧳 Entertainment & Travel
Phoebe Wall Howard
Deep-fried pickles have reached cult-following status among travelers on Mackinac Island, one of the top vacation destinations in the U.S. and the world.
🔗 Read it here
🗺️ Around Iowa (features about places and things)
Chuck Offenburger
Iowa Boy Chuck Offenburger is going kind of "retro" with his eyeglasses, in tribute to his pal and journalistic icon Rick Morain, who is, by the way, a newcomer to the Iowa Writers’ Collaborative.
🔗 Read it here
Jeff Morrison
The Marion Historical Society added a special element to its old school exhibit: chili and cinnamon roll lunch. Jeff Morrison covered the meal's history, and a local author presented.
🔗 Read it here
Cheryl Tevis
In her column this week, Cheryl Tevis examines how Iowa's history of County Poor Farms offers a learning opportunity and a springboard to a better future for all.
🔗 Read it here
Kyle Munson
Kyle Munson pays tribute to the late Jay Byers, the president of Simpson College and former CEO of the Greater Des Moines Partnership. Byers was one of central Iowa's most influential and beloved leaders over the last twenty years.
🔗 Read it here
Our beloved Racontourist shared more snapshots from the day’s adventure. First stop: the stately Hotel Manning, where history whispers from every corner. Then we were welcomed by Tom O’Donnell and Paula Mohr into their beautifully renovated former schoolhouse—lovingly transformed by the Mohr family—for cocktails, conversation, and hors d'oeuvres that felt anything but elementary.
What am I missing? Rick’s link isn’t opening ……
I would be very interested in subscribing to IWC as a group and then having my subscription divided between writers, giving me access to all. I know that would come to maybe a dollar or two each writer, but it’s more than now. I think this model could increase subscriptions and incomes and readership. As it is, I want to support each writer but there’s no way I could subscribe to each for $25/$50. Does the group discuss this? Is there a model in Substack that exists like this, or could be created?