Snapshot From Iowa: A Nation On the Brink
...poetic gravity, Fathers Day, human stories of the McCarthy Era, AND vintage tractors
This week’s writers shine a light on power—in the streets, in the workplace, in their legacy, and on the page.
The “No Kings” rallies around the state sparked sharp reflections and powerful eyewitness reporting.
What does it take to play a king—and who decides who gets the crown? In this poignant and personal essay, Peter Hedges has an answer seeded in his Iowa youth, that packs a punch.
Richard Gilbert took us to the Capitol lawn, dog in tow, to document the tension and the humor of a protest fueled by democracy fatigue. Douglas Burns offered urgent, on-the-ground coverage of the immigrant rights movement, while Dave Price and Matt Russell examined the stakes of protest and civic action. And if you're wondering how it all connects to structural change, look no further than Rekha Basu's eye-opening report on the Des Moines Police Department and a new law that threatens the progress of women in law enforcement.
In the realm of business and culture, Rick Jost brings decades of quirky newsroom tales, while Suzanna de Baca reminds us that leadership can—and should—be rooted in humanity, sharing a poem that dares to redefine the bottom line. And speaking of poetry, this week’s entries from Teresa Zilk, Michael Judge, and de Baca (again!) offer verses that stir the soul, reckon with global conflict, and honor the tender act of being a parent. Taken together, this collection reads like a map of where we are now—messy, meaningful, and determined not to look away.
National Politics
Peter Hedges
A teacher’s words from Valley High still echo in Peter’s mind—especially now, as he confronts the state of our unraveling democracy. In this thought-provoking piece, he shares a powerful lesson from the past—and a simple, bold idea for our future.. Read here
Abena Sankofa Imhotep
This open letter on the present global unrest and each one's responsibility in this moment is written to Abena's supporters and co-conspirators, but it's a must-read AND a must-share for all.
Read here
Matt Russell
Russell shares how millions protesting will save lives and our democracy.
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Ed Tibbetts
Learn who the real victims will be from Medicaid work requirements. Ed Tibbetts at Along the Mississippi writes about a new study that Republicans desperately don’t want people to know about.
Read here
Daniel P. Finney
In the 53 years since Watergate, presidential dishonesty was something to expose. Today, it’s something millions celebrate, writes Daniel P. Finney.
Read here
Arnold Garson
The untold story of an author's struggle for the freedom to write in America. It happened 80 years ago and it's happening again today.
Read here
Cheryl Tevis
Cheryl Tevis reflects on June celebrations, and holds our country accountable to its democratic ideals of inclusion and diversity.
Read here
Dave Busiek
Beware a Trump’s Reichstag moment. Dave Busiek has a lesson from history about bringing down the hammer in reaction to small protests.
Read here
Robert Leonard
When ICE raids hit immigrant day laborers at Home Depots in LA, Bob Leonard unearthed an old story that he never published about his experience as a day laborer in Albuquerque in 1996.
Read here
Letters from Iowans (David Russell)
In Letters From Iowans, David Russell says there would not be a Social Security "crisis" if Congress lifted the limit on the income people pay Social Security taxes on.
Read here
Richard Gilbert
A peaceful, passionate day on the Capitol lawn—with Dudley the dog, thousands of fed-up Iowans, and one very pointed poop—this firsthand account of the “No Kings” rally captures a growing red state rumble: save democracy, and please, no more Trump parades.
Read here
Iowa Politics
Rekha Basu
A new law signed by Iowa's first female governor will ban the Des Moines Police Department from deliberately recruiting or promoting women. This in an agency where they are outnumbered and have been discriminated and harassed.
Read here
Laura Belin
Laura Belin shared some hard truths about the difficult math facing Iowa Democrats in 2026.
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Laura Belin
Laura Belin and Spencer Dirks covered lots of news about the 2026 races for governor and Senate, a bad sign for Democrats hoping for the return of the Iowa caucuses, the DOGE task force floating the idea of county consolidation, and a couple of important new bill signings on "KHOI's Capitol Week."
Read here
Laura Belin
Laura Belin shared her first take on the Iowa Democratic primary race for governor between Rob Sand and Julie Stauch.
Read here
Dave Price
When is violence acceptable? Dave Price looks at a powder keg of a political assassination, "No Kings" protests, immigration raids, and the use of the military.
Read here
Rick Morain
Iowa DOGE is considering consolidation of counties. If it's to be pursued, any action should be voluntary, not ordered by the Legislature.
Read here
Robert Leonard
Bob Leonard and Spencer Dirks discuss the political issues of the day in the 99th episode of The Iowa Revolution.
Read here
Around Iowa
Chuck Offenburger
Iowa Boy Chuck Offenburger writes that the lives of Robert Larsen and Dale Jansen are examples of what can happen when kids get an early exposure to the arts.
Read here
Pat Kinney
A Cedar Rapids man's tribute to his dad's service during Vietnam has grown into a full-blown documentary with veterans from around the state. It will be shown in numerous locations over the coming month, including Riverside, Osage, Waterloo, Altoona and Emmetsburg.
Read here
Robert Leonard
The fifth annual Okoboji Writers and Songwriters will be here soon, and Bob Leonard encourages anyone interested in reading, writing, or songwriting to attend. Read his story. It's been a life-changing experience for him, and can be for you as well.
Read here
Steve Semken
High and Deep: Baseball and Writing
Read here
Weather and Environment
Chris Gloninger
I just returned from the UN Ocean Summit in Nice, where I joined global leaders, scientists, and coastal advocates to explore how we protect communities from rising seas. In this post, I share highlights from the summit, including bold climate strategies, powerful voices from island nations facing managed retreat, and how science is driving solutions.
Read here
Business
Rick Jost
"Oddities of a 50-Year Odyssey
A half-century of journalism can fill a memory bank with tales of weird business trips, curious encounters with celebrities, and goofy happenings at historic events. The writer shares some here."
Read here
Suzanna de Baca
In her new business column, "Leadership Outside the Box," Suzanna de Baca shares a poem called "For a Leader," by Irish poet, philosopher, and theologian John O'Donohue that is sure to help anyone in leadership think about the bottom line differently.
Read here
Diversity in the Heartland
Pat Kinney
A Bosnian-born former state lawmaker from Waterloo tells her story for the first time ever as a young girl in her homeland's civil war -- in a children's book.
Read here
Robert Leonard
Measles is on the rise, and Bob Leonard interviewed experts about what they believe the immigrant community needs to know about getting measles vaccinations.
Read here
Douglas Burns
Read in-depth, on-the-ground reporting from Douglas Burns of The Iowa Mercury: Immigrant rights urgent, protesters say, as raft of outrages animate 'No Kings' rally of thousands at Iowa State Capitol.
Read here
Randy Evans
There was a refreshing, and civil, discussion of a Pride Month proclamation at the Ottumwa City Council meeting. The discourse offers hope during these increasingly divisive times.
Read here
Media
Dave Busiek
A journalist’s social media meltdown gives himself and all journalists a black eye, according to Dave Busiek on Media.
Read here
Daniel P. Finney
The Phonecian Scheme is a film noir filmed by a madman, writes Daniel P. Finney.
Read here
Podcast
Dave Price
Governor Reynolds' veto may have lasting impact. Our Iowa Down Ballot Podcast contributors explain what it could mean and also look at two long shot candidates for governor.
Read here
Poetry
Teresa Zilk
A poem for the ones we call prophets.
Read here
Michael Judge
Dear Son: A Poem for Father's Day
Read here
Suzanna de Baca
Suzanna de Baca shares a poem called "Five Haikus for the Falling," in response to the Israeli/Iranian conflict.
Read here
The Iowa Angle
Kyle Munson
Kyle Munson marks Father's Day with advice handed down from his dad and passed along to his son: Always clean your shovel.
Read here
Nicole Baart
This week, Nicole Baart shares a story about living shoulder-to-shoulder with her immigrant neighbors, and wonders if hate is just a matter of proximity. Move closer. Everything will change.
Read here
Agriculture
Darcy Maulsby
Take a virtual tour to Crawford County, Iowa, where the Kahl family is preserving an array of vintage tractors--including "The Twins."
Read here
Ken Chester
The company is called Savor, and they make what they call cow-free butter – using carbon dioxide from industrial emissions and hydrogen from water to create edible fats – in other words turning air and water into butter. This effort has some serious ramifications for the food industry. The company’s first product is an animal-free plant-free butter that mimics the same taste, texture, melting point, and mouthfeel of dairy fat. The start-up is relying on an ancient, natural process to make this happen.
Read here
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Would you like to help grow the Iowa Writers’ Collaborative ?
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Party, Meet Our Community of Writers
We are throwing a shindig in Winterset on July 26, and our paid subscribers are invited. For details, click on this RSVP form:
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, moderated by Julie Gammack. 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.
Come! We have a terrific community and want you all to meet one another!
What a great line up of articles. I'm especially captivated by Laura Belin's take on the numbers and challenges for Democrats in the 20206 Iowa races. The value of these articles for understanding not only Iowa but our nation and the world cannot be overstated.