Todd Dorman, of the CR Gazette, joins the Iowa Writers' Collaborative & Dave Price leads Iowa Down Ballot
From Capitol scandals to grassroots upheavals, discover the bold voices redefining national and Iowa politics in explosive, unfiltered commentary
Introducing this week's standout new member: veteran political columnist Todd Dorman from the Cedar Rapids Gazette. Todd is launching his current Gazette column additionally on his new Substack platform, offering readers across the state a fresh perspective on the issues that matter. Below, you'll find his latest work featured in the Iowa Politics category, along with this brief introduction.
Television political analyst Dave Price is leading the Iowa Down Ballot podcast during this legislative session. This week's panel features Kathie Obradovich from Iowa Capital Dispatch, along with IWC columnists Laura Belin and Ty Rushing. The podcast is presented in a video format
In National Politics, Barry Piatt unleashes a searing critique of Senator Grassley’s “pitiful waving of the white flag” in the face of Trump’s vandalism, while Rekha Basu exposes how Trump’s shifting promises are fueling dangerous alliances. Cheryl Tevis embarks on a cosmic quest for signs of intelligent life, and Art Cullen calls out Iowans for swallowing empty promises about lower food costs. Joining the fray, Beth Hoffman, Joan Zwagerman, Dennis Goldford, Kurtis Meyer, and Julie Gammack deliver explosive takes that will leave you questioning everything you thought you knew.
Over in Iowa Politics, Dave Price reveals the raw power plays at the Statehouse, and Robert Leonard—back with multiple scorching columns—unmasks the state’s political underbelly, from forgotten voices to economic mismanagement. Laura Belin and Spencer Dirks dive into controversies from discriminatory legislation to high-stakes gubernatorial showdowns, while Ed Tibbetts exposes hidden tax hikes and shifting burdens. Todd Dorman dissects how Republican maneuvers are undermining “School Choice,” and Randy Evans, David Thoreson, and Zachary Oren Smith fire off provocative challenges to the status quo.
Rev up your engines in Car Culture as Phoebe Wall Howard dares you to find an electric vehicle critic who’s actually driven one. Then, journey around Iowa with Robert Leonard’s raw encounters from the Capitol, and explore the harsh realities of education funding with Jeff Morrison’s eye-opening analysis. Dave Busiek tackles media spin in the Gulf of Mexico controversy, while Chris Jones dishes out a double dose of political drama and manure mayhem from the Great Lakes Basin.
For tech buffs, Ken Chester reveals how DeepSeek AI is shaking up the American innovation scene. Dan Henderson unmasks the dangerous blend of religious zeal and political power, and in the realm of arts, Steve Semken offers a mesmerizing slow-motion writing lesson while Maxwell Schaefer dives into mystery author Joseph LeValley’s transformative journey from crime journalism to fiction.
Finally, Michael Judge brings you an intimate conversation with Pulitzer Prize-winner Art Cullen, and poets Teresa Zilk and Suzanna de Baca capture the spirit of our times in verses that resonate long after you’ve read them.
Ready to challenge the mainstream narrative? Click through now:
Your Sunday Roundup
National politics:
Barry Piatt
Barry Piatt spotlights Senator Grassley’s “pitiful waving of the white flag” in the face of Donald Trump’s presidential vandalism. The Iowa senior Senator’s willingness to look the other way may be the most disappointing, but he is far from the only Iowan in Congress failing this crucial test – read more in “Barry Piatt on Politics: Behind the Curtains.”
Learn More: Learn More
Rekha Basu
Trump promised peace in Ukraine and the Middle East. Now he's making claims on Gaza's land and Ukraine's minerals in deference to his alliances with dictators and his greed.
Learn More: Learn More
Cheryl Tevis
In her column this week Cheryl Tevis is searching for signs of intelligent life. She's willing to travel to the ends of the universe to find it.
Learn More: Learn More
Art Cullen
Trump pledged repeatedly that he would lower food costs on Day One. Iowans swallowed it whole, stooges for a bamboozler, Art Cullen says.
Learn More: Learn More
Beth Hoffman
What is the impact of frozen government funds on Iowa's farms? A look at the challenges the Practical Farmers of Iowa are experiencing shows us just how deep the impacts are.
Learn More: Learn More
Joan Zwagerman
Joan Zwagerman notes yet more ways to resist the madness.
Learn More: Learn More
Dennis Goldford
Trump voters, be careful what you wish for; you just might get it.
Learn More: Learn More
Kurtis Meyer
Do race-related events in Houston, Texas a century ago apply to our world today? Kurt Meyer ponders this question... and invites you to do so, too.
Learn More: Learn More
Julie Gammack
WSJ’s Tim Higgins drops revelations about Elon Musk’s and has views about the movies he's making in Washington – plus, catch exclusive live video interviews with insider voices from the Iowa Writers’ Collaborative.
Learn More: Learn More
Iowa politics:
Dave Price
They have the power and they are using it. Dave Price looks at what he witnessed at the Iowa Statehouse this week and talks with Iowans dismissed by DOGE.
Learn More: Learn More
Robert Leonard
Bob Leonard and Spencer Dirks offer their latest Iowa Revolution podcast: Episode 83: Democrats Need to Stick Together. The Premiere of Our New Segment A.Iowa. Top 5 Old Timey Insults. Also, the viral Iowa park ranger that got let go is a mensch, Tom Brady = Elon Musk, and JD Vance is a fish.
Learn More: Learn More
Robert Leonard
Bob Leonard published a guest column by farmer Seth Watkins titled “Forget about all that Macho Shit and Learn to Play the Guitar.”
Learn More: Learn More
Robert Leonard
Bob Leonard wrote “Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig is MIA while Trump hammers Iowa's economy…”
Learn More: Learn More
Laura Belin
Laura Belin covered the cruel (and unconstitutional) effort to codify discrimination against transgender Iowans—and how you can help those trying to stop it.
Learn More: Learn More
Laura Belin
Laura Belin and Spencer Dirks discussed Brad Sherman's campaign for governor and prospects against Kim Reynolds in a GOP primary, lots of news from the Iowa legislature, and the state joining a lawsuit that seeks to undo protections for Americans with disabilities.
Learn More: Learn More
Ed Tibbetts
Republicans at the Iowa Capitol aren’t telling you the truth about how they’re managing your money. Ed Tibbetts at Along the Mississippi has the facts about hidden tax hikes and shifting burdens to local governments.
Learn More: Learn More
Todd Dorman
Todd Dorman explains how Republican actions at the Statehouse are undermining so-called “School Choice.”
Learn More: Learn More
Randy Evans
Randy Evans: A county attorney’s threat of a defamation lawsuit against a citizen who criticized the chronic absenteeism of a county supervisor is a blatant attempt to intimidate the citizen for exercising her freedom of speech rights.
Learn More: Learn More
David Thoreson
The Iowa GOP ignores the will of the People. We want clean water, outdoor recreation, healthy Iowans, but the GOP says, Hell no, not in our state.
Learn More: Learn More
Zachary Oren Smith
On this episode of Cornhole Champions, host Zachary Oren Smith speaks to rural organizer Jess Piper about why progressives need to contest rural races. Then Amie Rivers joins to talk anti-drag legislation, private school voucher transparency issues, and early Republican primary positioning.
Learn More: Learn More
Car Culture:
Phoebe Wall Howard
Try and find a critic of electric vehicles who has actually driven one. Tough assignment. Saving time and money while charging at home is a no brainer. Hear from real people who live in freezing temps.
Learn More: Learn More
Around Iowa (features):
Robert Leonard
Bob Leonard went to the Capitol, and encountered some protestors. He wrote “Justice for the Family of Phil Morgan and Workers Everywhere, on the streets of Des Moines and in the courtroom of the Iowa Supreme Court…”
Learn More: Learn More
Education:
Jeff Morrison
Where do the students using education savings accounts live, and what financial impact could the ESA money have had in public school aid? Jeff Morrison compiles state data to answer those questions and show how funding has fallen short of inflation.
Learn More: Learn More
Media:
Dave Busiek
Media boycotts won’t solve the Gulf of Mexico controversy at the White House, according to Dave Busiek on Media.
Learn More: Learn More
Agriculture:
Chris Jones
Chris Jones shared two posts in the past week, “Stray Dogma”, which covers recent events in Iowa politics, and “A Picture is Worth a Thousand Turds”, an analysis of manure generated in the Great Lakes Basin.
Learn More: Learn More
Technology:
Ken Chester
DeepSeek AI Turns American AI Industry Upside Down.
Learn More: Learn More
Religion:
Dan Henderson
The Charismatic Christian Nationalists who extol the military, elevate the arrogant, seek political power, demonize their opponents, and praise an unrepentant President have adopted the devil’s conception of power. Power for them is gained to further promote the powerful, not raise up the powerless and marginalized. Power is a tool to keep the marginalized poor and elites wealthy and well-fed and first in line.
Learn More: Learn More
Books, Art:
Steve Semken
Slow, Ever So, Slowly. A slow-motion writing lesson.
Learn More: Learn More
Maxwell Schaefer
Award-winning mystery author Joseph LeValley joined Maxwell’s Iowa CoffeeCast to share his journey from crime journalism to fiction writing. He discussed how his real-life experiences covering murder trials shaped his novels, the challenges of transitioning to fiction, and his unexpected success in publishing. With insights on the evolving book industry, AI’s impact, and the future of storytelling, Joe’s conversation is a must-listen for readers and aspiring writers alike.
Learn More: Learn More
Iowa at Large:
Michael Judge
“Doctor, My Eyes
A conversation with Art Cullen, the Pulitzer Prize winning Iowa journalist who has done all that he could to see the evil and the good.”
Learn More: Learn More
Poetry:
Teresa Zilk
A poem that suits the moment of time we now inhabit.
Learn More: Learn More
Suzanna de Baca
Suzanna de Baca shares a news response poem called “The Museum of Prohibited Art.”
Learn More: Learn More
Podcasts
Here’s a list of podcasts by members of the Iowa Writers’ Collaborative for you to keep in mind when you’re heading out to walk the dog, starting a road trip, or hitting the treadmill:
Robert Leonard
Bob Leonard and Spencer Dirks offer their latest Iowa Revolution: Episode 83: Democrats Need to Stick Together. The Premiere of Our New Segment A.Iowa. Top 5 Old Timey Insults. Also, the viral Iowa park ranger that got let go is a mensch, Tom Brady = Elon Musk, and JD Vance is a fish.
Iowa Revolution: Episode 83: Democrats Need to Stick Together
Audio
Learn More: Learn More
Laura Belin
Laura Belin and Spencer Dirks discussed Brad Sherman's campaign for governor and prospects against Kim Reynolds in a GOP primary, lots of news from the Iowa legislature, and the state joining a lawsuit that seeks to undo protections for Americans with disabilities.
Sherman for Governor Legislative
Audio
Learn More: Learn More
Ken Chester
DeepSeek AI Turns American AI Industry Upside Down.
DeepSeek AI Turns American AI Industry Upside Down
Audio
Learn More: Learn More
Ken Chester
With Cruise Automation closing up shop, General Motors has thrown in the towel on the self-driving robotaxi concept (for real this time!). The automaker estimates the move will save over $1 billion per year. Despite the challenges that remain with a self-driving vehicle navigating busy city streets, several players are still actively involved.
General Motors and the End of the Self‑Driving Robotaxi?
Audio
Learn More: Learn More
Zachary Oren Smith
On this episode of Cornhole Champions, host Zachary Oren Smith speaks to rural organizer Jess Piper about why progressives need to contest rural races. Then Amie Rivers joins to talk anti-drag legislation, private school voucher transparency issues, and early Republican primary positioning.
Cornhole Champions
Audio
Learn More: Learn More
Julie Gammack
WSJ’s Tim Higgins drops revelations about Elon Musk’s and has views about the movies he's making in Washington – plus, catch exclusive live video interviews with insider voices from the Iowa Writers’ Collaborative.
DSM Book Festival: Iowa Writers Collaborative Pane (March 22, 1:15 p.m., Franklin Event Center, 4801 Franklin Avenue, Des Moines)
Substack Live Video
Learn More: Learn More
Mary Swander (Buggy Land)
This week Mary Swander treats her audience to a Buggy Land showcasing a transcribed interview with Liese Greensfelder and her new memoir Accidental Shepherd: How a California Girl Rescued an Ancient Mountain Farm in Norway. Local old-time musicians Bettie Swarts and Dan Pease underscore the theme with a Scandinavian schottische, and Mary Swander tells the tale of an Amish barn floating down Highway 22.
Buggy Land
Audio (Yes, for a fee)
Learn More: Learn More
The Iowa Writers’ Collaborative Roster
As a thank-you to our paid subscribers, we host a monthly Zoom call over the noon hour featuring many of our Iowa Writers’ Collaborative members. This recurring event, called The Office Lounge, takes place on the last Friday of each month and is hosted by Robert Leonard.
This gives our writers and readers a chance to interact. You only need to be a paid subscriber to one member to join (though supporting multiple members is always appreciated!).
Here’s the February 28th Zoom link for paid subscribers:
Wow, what an IWC Roundup for this week! Hard-hitting reporting and speaking truth to power. It looks like the Resistance is right here within the Iowa Writers Collaborative.
I followed Todd on Twitter before it fell into disrepute. Looking forward to reading him here.