These days in Iowa, all politics are local
These days in Iowa, all politics are local
...plus profiles, sports, and stories you won't find elsewhere
The Iowa Writers’ Collaborative roundup features posts by professional commentators spread throughout the state. To get a sense of what folks on the ground in Iowa are thinking, turn off the television pundits for a bit, and read what’s on the minds of those who live here. This week we have epiphanies, fish stories, sports stuff, dining out news, profiles, local and national political stories you won’t find elsewhere.
This roundup of columns is brought to you as a service to link writers to readers who have an interest in Iowa. If you appreciate this content, please share it with others.
All Stirred Up
The Stir, by Steph Copley, is compelling commentary from a woman who describers herself as once a 'hands raised in the air Christian’ who left it all behind when the church as she thought she knew it took a hard right turn away from what she believes.
National Politics
The expectation in Iowa that Donald Trump will win the GOP caucus vote could be his undoing, opines veteran political observer Ed Tibbetts.
Dave Price says the refrain ‘save our country’ is tired without candidates offering solutions.
Art Cullen wraps up the state of the race into the final stretch of the race.
Trump threatening MSNBC is not something to be taken lightly writes veteran broadcaster Dave Busiek.
On Capitol Hill, Barry Piatt addresses the expulsion of U.S. House member George Santos.
All Politics is Local
Iowa Politics with Laura Belin has a piece about how LGBTQ plaintiffs make a strong case against Iowa education law. Plus Belin posts her conversation with radio co-host Dennis Hart of KHOI radio. In the column where the podcast link is placed, Belin summarizes a number of Iowa issues. It’s a must read for those who want to be in-the-know.
What in the world is going on with the Davenport City Council? What is that stench? Check out Ed Tibbetts.
Cheryl Tevis warns about the hidden cost of convenience during this holiday time of shopping and shipping.
Kali White VanBaale shares part of the backstory of how the Mental Health hotline was established. Her mother and sister were volunteers taking calls in the 1980s.
Around Iowa
Over 300 gathered for what was called the first Iowa Nature Summit, and where else would Larry Stone be but there? There are a number of organizations dedicated to preserving nature, but when have they all been together in one place?
Hola Iowa’s Christina Fernández-Morrow introduces readers to a local television news anchor.
Arnold Garson describes postcards of yesterday were akin to today’s social media, and in his column this week gives readers a sense of how influential the pictures of an area such as Okoboji were used to boost tourism.
Hey, chuck it. Douglas Burns writes about a couple from Denison who shed their worldy possessions to go sailing. Ahhhh. He has another column about local journalism projects he cares about.
Spilling Over, is a piece by Nicole Baart, who writes about life from her vantage point in Sioux Center. This prolific novelist is a remarkable storyteller, and brings readers into her world in a relatable way.
What’s in a name, writes Fran Kupfer, who is a writing partner in the columnist duo of Fern and Joe. Women who do not assume the name of the man to whom they are currently married find this can be a challenge at times.
Simple acts of kindness can be impactful and create a ripple effect in the world. Storyteller Robert Leonard found inspiration in an Oskaloosa laundromat.
An old church in Waterloo is being transformed, writes Pat Kinney from the Cedar Valley.
Julie Gammack uploaded a podcast of her interview with investigative reporter, Lee Rood, who recenlty published a blockbuster report on allegations of abuse at Boys Town.
A new publishing company in Iowa is the subject of a piece by Macey Shofroth this week.
Mary Swander runs Ag Arts, where she pairs farmers with artists in an unusual program worth supporting.
Sports
Jeff Morrison pulls a sort of ‘swiftie’ on readers in the column A Swift assessment of ISU's past relationships.
Rob Gray had a busy week as crossover season hit a fever pitch (Iowa State football, men's basketball, women's basketball and wrestling).
Coming soon we will be including a columnist who regularly writes about the Iowa Hawkeyes.
Dining
Wini Moranville brings readers news-you-can-use in her outstanding column about local dining options. This week, she tells readers about a new farm-to-table concept that could be a real game-changer for central Iowa.
Where’s John Naughton this week? Minneapolis, pondering whether Des Moines could support something like a salad bar buffet he discovered there.
Poetry
Glass often cracks before it shatters, writes Suzanna de Baca, in her tribute to Judge Sandra Day O’Conner:
Your Invitation
The Holiday Season is upon us, and members of the Iowa Writers’ Collaborative want to thank paid subscribers by hosting a party to be held this Thursday, December 7., 5-6:30 p.m. We will close RSVPs by 6 p.m. Monday, so if you want to come, there is still a bit of a window to let us know you will be joining us. If you aren’t currently a paid subscriber, pick someone from the roster below and make their day a tad merrier by knowing you support their work. It means a lot.
Come meet many of our members:
Laura Belin, Doug Burns, Dave Busiek, Chris Jones, Suzanna de Baca, Julie Gammack, Jody Gifford, Richard Gilbert, Beth Hoffman, Pat Kinney, Robert Leonard, Wini Moranville, Jeff Morrison, Kyle Munson, Jane Nguyen, John Naughton, Chuck Offenburger (the Richeburgers), Dave Price, Cheryl Tevis, Ed Tibbetts, and Kali White VanBaale.
You’ll be greeted by a glass of champagne or sparking cider, a smorgasbord of appetizers brought by our members, and the man who took over ownership and stewardship of the historic mansion, John Beard. One of our collaborative members will be stationed in each room to introduce themselves and welcome you.
Read Kyle Munson’s column about the Witmer House:
IOWA WRITERS’ COLLABORATIVE
You can also be a big supporter by sharing this column with others interested in Iowa and the commentary covered here.
Columnists
Nicole Baart: This Stays Here, Sioux Center
Ray Young Bear: From Red Earth Drive, Meskwaki Settlement
Laura Belin: Iowa Politics with Laura Belin, Windsor Heights
Doug Burns: The Iowa Mercury, Carroll
Dave Busiek: Dave Busiek on Media, Des Moines
Iowa Writers’ Collaborative, Roundup
Steph Copley: It Was Never a Dress, Johnston
Art Cullen: Art Cullen’s Notebook, Storm Lake
Suzanna de Baca: Dispatches from the Heartland, Huxley
Debra Engle: A Whole New World, Madison County
Arnold Garson: Second Thoughts, Okoboji and Sioux Falls
Julie Gammack: Julie Gammack’s Iowa Potluck, Des Moines and Okoboji
Joe Geha: Fern and Joe, Ames
Jody Gifford: Benign Inspiration, West Des Moines
Rob Gray: Rob Gray’s Area, Ankeny
Nik Heftman: The Seven Times, Los Angeles and Iowa
Beth Hoffman: In the Dirt, Lovilia
Chris Jones, Chris’s Substack, Des Moines
Pat Kinney: View from Cedar Valley, Waterloo
Fern Kupfer: Fern and Joe, Ames
Robert Leonard: Deep Midwest: Politics and Culture, Bussey
Letters from Iowans, Iowa
Darcy Maulsby: Keepin’ It Rural, Calhoun County
Tar Macias: Hola Iowa, Iowa
Alison McGaughey, The Inquisitive Quad Citizen, Quad Cities
Kurt Meyer: Showing Up, St. Ansgar
Wini Moranville: Wini’s Food Stories, Des Moines
Jeff Morrison: Between Two Rivers, Cedar Rapids
Kyle Munson: Kyle Munson’s Main Street, Des Moines
Jane Nguyen: The Asian Iowan, West Des Moines
John Naughton: My Life, in Color, Des Moines
Chuck Offenburger: Iowa Boy Chuck Offenburger, Jefferson and Des Moines
Barry Piatt: Piatt on Politics Behind the Curtain, Washington, D.C.
Dave Price: Dave Price’s Perspective, Des Moines
Macey Shofroth: The Midwest Creative, Norwalk
Larry Stone: Listening to the Land, Elkader
Mary Swander: Mary Swander’s Buggy Land, Kalona
Mary Swander: Mary Swander’s Emerging Voices, Kalona
Cheryl Tevis: Unfinished Business, Boone County
Ed Tibbetts: Along the Mississippi, Davenport
Kali White VanBaale, 988: Mental Healthcare in Iowa, Bondurant
Teresa Zilk: Talking Good, Des Moines
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