This Week in Iowa: Christie Vilsack’s Return to Writing, the Cherry Sisters’ Infamous Free Speech Case, and a Bank Teller’s NASCAR Dream

. . . plus, national and local political stories to make your blood pressure rise, and the president of Drake taking a stand for DEI

Mar 23, 2025

Christie Vilsack Joins the Iowa Writers' Collaborative

Christie Vilsack’s journey as a storyteller has taken her from the rich farmland of Canaan Township in Iowa to the corridors of international diplomacy, always carrying with her the deep-rooted values instilled by her father: be proud of where you’re from, and never take a backseat to anyone. Her passion for writing began as a young girl, tapping away at her father’s typewriters, and flourished through her work as a journalist, teacher, and advocate for literacy. Whether reflecting on Iowa’s landscape from afar or riding RAGBRAI as First Lady, Vilsack has always been drawn to the stories of people and place. Now, she brings that lifelong commitment to storytelling to the Iowa Writers' Collaborative, joining fellow writers in a new chapter of sharing, reflecting, and connecting.

What brought her back to writing? A Christmas gift from her daughter-in-law—a Storyworth project—reignited her love for capturing life in words, prompting her to document experiences, reflections, and the people she meets along the way. She is setting out to introduce readers to Iowans who shape their communities, explore the power of books and libraries, celebrate the land and those who depend on it, and delve into the fabric of Iowa’s culture. Vilsack doesn’t plan to wade into partisan debates here—that’s for the coffee shop. Instead, she’s creating a space for curiosity, history, and connection. With a commitment to finding common ground, she invites readers to join her on this journey of rediscovery—one story at a time.

Christie Vilsack

Welcome to Common Ground

The first time I left Iowa I was headed to Kirkland College in rural upstate New York. When I flew out a my interview the fall of my senior year, my dad said, “When you get there you look those people in the eye and you tell them the land in Cannan Township north of Mt. Pleasant, Iowa is the richest farmland in the world.” To myself I thought, “I’m not …

3 months ago · 20 likes · 4 comments · Christie Vilsack

Editor's Note: One of the most challenging parts about compiling the roundup of columns twice weekly is wanting to put a big headline on most of them. Arnold Garson’s column—a riveting, riotous piece of history about the Cherry sisters—is a must-read. So is the delightful piece by Phoebe Wall Howard about a bank teller who is a NASCAR driver. We could review each of these posts and make a case for putting it at the top.

Two of our most recent additions to the Iowa Writers’ Collaborative are bringing essential stories. Rick Jost writes fascinating stories about business topics, and Lynn Hicks shows us aspects of the judicial system you won’t find anywhere else.

They are all must-read columns offered by some of our time's best, brightest, and most seasoned writers.

Around Iowa

Chuck Offenburger – Iowa Boy Chuck Offenburger writes about the friendship of nearly 50 years that led him to urge Christie Vilsack to start writing columns again—and write them now for the Iowa Writers' Collaborative.
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Pat Kinney – A Marine from Waterloo who served at the Battle of Iwo Jima in World War II turned 100 this month. He's dedicated his life to promoting peace and understanding—as his late grandson did promoting inclusion for people with disabilities.
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Robert Leonard – Iowa Writers' Collaborative members were at the DSM Book Festival. Bob Leonard went Substack Live.
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Business

Rick Jost – Chocolate Shock—Sharply higher food prices may mean fewer tasty treats in some Easter baskets this year. Eggs hog the headlines, but spiking cocoa costs are sour news for Iowa’s chocolatiers.
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Art Cullen – Pro-business folks acknowledge the obvious: Iowa can’t do without immigrants. Welcome to Art Cullen’s hometown.
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Agriculture
- Darcy Maulsby – It's time we stop treating soil like dirt—and if we get erosion under control, this can solve a lot of environmental challenges here in Iowa.
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Human Interest (Interviews)

Vicki Minor – Multi-talented Musician Lil Rev.
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Iowa at Large

Arnold Garson – The story of five Iowa sisters who inadvertently created a network of protection for free speech and press 130 years ago is more relevant than ever today.
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Iowa Politics

Laura Belin – A Rookie Mistake
Laura Belin wrote about an Iowa House Republican's "rookie mistake," after that legislator authorized the distribution of a right-wing Christian pamphlet to all of his colleagues.
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Ed Tibbetts – Iowa's 99 counties are misleading people about property taxes. But don't blame the folks at your county courthouse. Ed Tibbetts at Along the Mississippi explains it's the state Legislature that's forcing them to do it.
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Julie Gammack—Drake University President Marty Martin is unwavering in his commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. He makes it clear that these values are not up for debate—they are foundational to the institution’s mission.
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Laura Belin – Laura Belin and Spencer Dirks discussed Democrats who may run for Congress, the Tim Walz town hall in Des Moines, and more on "KHOI's Capitol Week."
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Robert Leonard – Spencer Dirks and Bob Leonard brought their podcast "Iowa Revolution" to Deep Midwest in a Substack Live event that was well attended.
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Zachary Oren Smith – The Iowa Down Ballot podcast covers bipartisan support for the governor’s cell phone ban in schools, a possible moratorium on economic development, and the latest on the pipeline and eminent domain.
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Zachary Oren Smith – On this week's Cornhole Champions, host Zachary Oren Smith tackles term limits with Cornell College political scientist Megan Goldberg and town hall absences prompting big (and loud) events across Iowa.
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Law and Justice

Lynn Hicks – The Sticky Problem of Sticky Fingers: The rise in shoplifting cases affects us all. Why the increase? We know what defendants tell us, and some say why they stop stealing.
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Weather and Environment
Chris Jones – Seeing Red
A look at the Red River of Minnesota and North Dakota and the looming threat of livestock expansion to Canadian waters.
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Chris Gloninger – Three Degrees Podcast
A discussion on climate disasters, insurance, and solutions with Hawaii State Senator Chris Lee.
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Kurtis Meyer – Making a Difference in the World
Highlighting an environmental steward nominated for a national award.
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Media

Dave Busiek – "It's a huge concern for the world," reports Dave Busiek on Media as Trump guts the Voice of America.
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Mental Health

Daniel P. Finney – The fog of ADHD is messing up Daniel Finney's life, both at work and home, and he is struggling to find a positive path forward.
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National Politics

Barry Piatt – Barry Piatt writes that Senator Chuck Grassley got more than an “earful” from angry Iowans during his recent Town Hall meetings.
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Cheryl Tevis – In her column this week, Cheryl Tevis celebrates Women's History Month, and says that women today are up to the challenges.
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Dennis Goldford – There are significant numbers of politicians and ordinary Americans who, whether out of malice or lack of understanding, are willing to undermine the Constitution in the name of what they think is the Constitution.
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Robert Leonard – Bob Leonard attended a protest in Des Moines and Tim Walz's rally, covering "Veterans Hold Anti-Trump Protest in Des Moines."
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Tory Brecht – Lessons from the LBJ Library
A visit to the Lyndon B. Johnson Presidential Library is a stark reminder of what’s at stake in our democracy.
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Dan Henderson – Lose Our Democracy, Create an Opportunity
Don’t look now, but we have already lost our democracy. But Henderson’s not sure he wants to save the old one—he’s interested in creating a new one that works for everyone.
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Rekha Basu – Dissent, Deportations, and Undoing
Trump's closure of the education department aligns with his mission to discourage critical thinking and protest.
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Political Comedy

Romen Borsellino – A Thank You Letter to Chuck Schumer
Senator Schumer, I personally think it takes courage to do something that's 100% certain to tank any remaining shred of respect that we may have once had for you.
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Poetry

Michael Judge – A new poem for TFP readers about the power of poetry in dark times draws inspiration from French Resistance leader René Char.
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Suzanna de Baca – Suzanna de Baca shares a news response poem called "March Madness," inspired more by the fickle weather of the month than by basketball.
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Writing

Steve Semken – The Full Range of Silence
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Public Affairs

Kali White VanBaale – Kali White VanBaale writes about a revolutionary smartphone app to assist blind and visually impaired people in "Seeing the World Together."
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Sports

Phoebe Wall Howard – Josh Berry, a bank teller turned NASCAR driver, urges people to take chances in this crazy life.
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Letters from Iowans – A Plea to Our Senators
In Letters From Iowans, Josiah Wearin asks Iowa's U.S. senators and his representative how they can remain silent in the face of all that the Trump administration is doing.
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The Iowa Writers’ Collaborative Roster

This Sunday Roundup includes posts by members of the Iowa Writers’ Collaborative. Each writer is independent, and any revenues directed to them are through paid subscriptions to their column.

Most revenues from paid subscriptions to this Roundup column fund real-time gatherings, professional development for members, and group marketing efforts.

Thank you.