Stars, Stories & Statehouse Scoops: The Iowa Writers’ Collaborative Sampler
...a new book about Caitlin Clark, Trump comes to Iowa, the Big Ugly Bill, and so much more
Today, we are mixing up the order of the Sunday Roundup by starting with the ‘Around Iowa’ category. That said, if you want to skip to your must-read sections, click on the links:
Business…Diversity in the Heartland…Humor…Iowa Politics…Law and Justice…Media…National Politics…Poetry…Sports…Weather and Environment
Around Iowa
Arnold Garson: The beauty of a silent communion between ducklings and a woman together on a Maui mat off a dock at Okoboji. Learn more
Darcy Maulsby: Orville “Orv” Von Ehwegen, a recent East Sac graduate and World War 2 veteran from Sac City, proves that there's plenty of life at 107! Learn more
Kyle Munson: Kyle Munson wonders if Des Moines could become a live storytelling capital as the Iowa Storytellers Project marks a community revival for a popular series. Learn more
Chuck Offenburger: Iowa Boy Chuck Offenburger's traditional report on the Iowa corn crop on the 4th of July holiday weekend: "It’s as good as I’ve ever seen." But he's more concerned about the health of his best farm sources, Doug and Karen Lawton, of rural Cooper. What a year they've had! Learn more
Business
Suzanna de Baca: In "Principled and bold: How the Fourth of July can sharpen your leadership," Suzanna de Baca reflects on five core leadership principles inspired by the Founders. Whether you're leading in business or your community, this timely piece offers a powerful reminder of how courage, clarity, and values can guide us forward. Learn more
Rick Jost: Foul Winds, Dark Skies: The forecast turned ugly for Iowa's growing wind and solar energy industries after Congress passed President Donald Trump's "big, beautiful bill." Learn more
Diversity in the Heartland
Dana James: The Black Church must refocus after President Donald Trump’s “One, Big Beautiful Bill” passes, says Waterloo pastor. Learn more
Humor
Daniel P. Finney: My mom made the Fourth of July special; two years after her death, I'm still trying to find my new holiday tradition. Learn more
Daniel P. Finney: As we celebrate Independence Day, let's honor those who truly made America great — like the guy who invented iced tea. Four more in Finney's 5. Learn more
Iowa politics
Laura Belin: On the latest "KHOI's Capitol Week," Laura Belin and Spencer Dirks covered that budget reconciliation bill, two new candidates, the end of another campaign, Rob Sand's town halls, and Iowa angles on three major U.S. Supreme Court decisions. Learn more
Robert Leonard: Bob Leonard at Deep Midwest celebrates the 100th episode of his and Spencer Dirks podcast, "Iowa Revolution." Bob says if you like Deep Midwest you will like the Iowa Revolution as well. Their guest for the 100th episode was the remarkable Laura Belin. Learn more
Letters from Iowans: In Letters From Iowans, Gordie Felger wants to remind us that elected officials should remember that not everyone shares THEIR values — or morals — and that those officials don't dictate their values to us. Learn more
Law and Justice
Pat Kinney: Protestors marched through downtown Waterloo in support of immigrants and refugees prior to the July 4 holiday, to remind folks of the aspirations of the Declaration of Independence and constitutional protections regarding due process and against unreasonable search and seizure. Learn more
Rick Morain: The snail's pace of the American court system sometimes effectively denies justice to prevail until it's too late. delays. Learn more
Media
Dave Busiek: Dave Busiek is boycotting CBS News for paying off Donald Trump in his baseless lawsuit against 60 Minutes. And a first look at why Brenna Bird isn’t running for governor. Learn more
Dave Busiek: Dave Busiek on Media thought for a second that Trump had come to his senses about suing the Des Moines Register and its pollster, but it was not to be. Learn more
Daniel P. Finney: Materalists' promises to be different than romantic dramas that have come before, but does it make it? Daniel P. Finney makes his case. Learn more
National politics
Rekha Basu: Guest columnist Elizabeth Barnhill shares her traumatic experience and longtime work in the field to show how new Office of Violence Against Women guidelines would hurt domestic violence and sexual assault prevention and services. An Iowa advocacy organization is among those suing over it. Learn more
Laura Belin: Laura Belin explored how Chuck Grassley is using the Senate Judiciary Committee to settle scores against Donald Trump's political adversaries, instead of focusing on how the Trump administration is weaponizing the DOJ. Learn more
Douglas Burns: In The Iowa Mercury, Douglas Burns has 10 takeaways from Trump's 'America 250' speech in Des Moines on Fourth Of July eve. Learn more
Doug Burns attended the Trump rally in Des Moines. Julie Gammack: Guest Admiral Michael Franken scared the bejeezus out of those on her podcast call last Monday. Learn more
Dennis Goldford: Vice President Vance to the contrary, it's only our commitment to the ideals of the Declaration of Independence that enables us to transcend our various ethnic differences. Learn more
Dan Henderson: Henderson contends that the Big Ugly Bill that is now on its way to be signed by President Trump is more than just a bad bill. It is a declaration of war on humanity. It represents a fundamental severing of the past social contract where we agreed to be our brother's keeper. Learn more
Barry Piatt: America just celebrated the 249th anniversary of the birth of its democracy. Barry Piatt, in his column from Washington, DC “Barry Piatt on Politics: Behind the Curtains,” asks an urgent question: “Will there be a 250th?” Learn more
Matt Russell: Russell argues there's something more than normal politics going on with the speed in which Trump's budget bill passed and the radical policies and funding it includes. Learn more
Cheryl Tevis: What does it mean to Americans to be Livin' the Dream in 2025? Who gets to decide? Learn more
Ed Tibbetts: The Big Ugly Bill got considerably uglier for Iowa after it left the US Senate and was signed into law. Ed Tibbetts at Along the Mississippi writes the poor, rural hospitals and the disabled are all at risk. Learn more
Poetry
Suzanna de Baca: Suzanna de Baca shares her latest poem, Nature’s Fireworks, inspired by Fourth of July fireworks and recent news about the return of fireflies. The poem offers a gentle reminder to notice the quieter wonders of nature and the importance of caring for the world around us. Learn more
Sports
Craig Devrieze: While covering his 41st iteration of the John Deere Classic for pgatour.com, Craig DeVrieze is sharing more local stories from the Classic at Quad Cities Sports Histories on Substack. The tournament will crown a champion on Sunday. See how Craig — whose picture is in the dictionary under Grizzled Sportswriter — rates this year's tournament in relation to 53 before it. Learn more
Columnist Craig Debrieze Julie Gammack: Caitlin Clark is the subject of a new book written by USA TODAY columnist and television commentator Christine Brennan. Join the discussion: On Her Own: Caitlin Clark and the Revolution in Women’s Sports. Beaverdale Books is bringing the author to Des Moines. Learn more
Weather and Environment
Beth Hoffman: Take a listen to Beth’s podcast: This is Why We Can’t Have Clean Water. Learn more
David Thoreson: Could Iowa be a Recreational Superpower? It's not that far off. This month's RAGBRAI adds $1.4 Billion to the state economy and the Iowa Great Lakes has a $300 Million outdoor recreational economy in a rural county of 17,000 residents. It's time to rethink Iowa's polluted ag economy and reboot the system. Learn more
Cycling in Iowa is a very popular outdoor activity in all seasons. The Iowa Great Lakes has numerous trails and local bike shops. RAGBRAI is the main bicycling attraction in the state. David Thoreson Photo
Celebrating Our Paid Subscribers
Join fellow Iowa Writers’ Collaborative members Barry Piatt, Wini Moranville, Laura Belin, Connie Taylor, Marianne Fons, Debra Engle, Julie Gammack, Vicki Minor, Art Cullen, Chuck Offenburger, Jane Nguyen, Robert Leonard, Sarah Scull, Rekha Basu, Cheryl Tevis, Tej Dhawan, Dan Henderson, Joan Zwagerman, Alison McGaughey, and perhaps a surprise few more!
We’re thrilled to welcome Art Cullen, Pulitzer Prize–winning columnist, for a special screening of the documentary about his family’s newspaper in Storm Lake. The film will play in the beautifully restored Iowa theater—popcorn guaranteed—followed by a celebratory reception in The Livery with plenty of snacks, conversation, and community spirit.
Please let us know if you and your guest can attend so we can stock up on popcorn and refreshments. You’ll leave with dozens of new friends, fresh inspiration, and maybe even the next great story idea. We can’t wait to see you there!
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