What’s Eating Iowa?
...Peter Hedges Joins the Iowa Writers’ Collaborative as Reynolds Steps Down and the Fish Float Up
Welcome, Peter Hedges
We welcome a special person to the Iowa Writers’ Collaborative today.
Peter Hedges grew up in West Des Moines, raised by his father, an Episcopal priest, after his mother left when he was young. It was at Valley High School—through theater, improv, and even mime—that he first found his voice. That voice would go on to shape some of the most poignant stories in modern film and literature.
He’s best known for his breakout novel What’s Eating Gilbert Grape, which he adapted for the screen, launching a career that blends heart, humor, and humanity. He was nominated for an Oscar for About a Boy and wrote and directed indie favorites like Pieces of April and Dan in Real Life. Later films like The Odd Life of Timothy Green and Ben Is Back (starring his son, Lucas Hedges) continued his knack for capturing complicated family dynamics with grace and grit.
Also a playwright and novelist (An Ocean in Iowa and The Heights), Hedges brings soul to every story he tells—whether set in Iowa or not. His newest creative chapter? A 2024 musical adaptation of Gilbert Grape for the stage.
He has 12 posts in his relatively new Substack venture. His essays about this family are profoundly personal and instructive.
This award-winning writer connects with readers in his unfiltered writings on Substack and will become a meaningful, purposeful part of our community. Like many of us, he finds solace in writing and making connections during these turbulent political times.
And here we are—intersecting, on what promises to be a downright magical, mystical path together.
We recommend that you read each of his posts. But if you have time for just one today, start here:
Peter reminds us that making art isn't a luxury—it’s how we survive. We’re honored he’s chosen to share his voice here, among old friends and new readers, and we can’t wait for you to read what he makes next.
Welcome home, Peter.
Kim Reynolds Stuns, Fish Die-Off Alarms, and Iowa’s Writers Dig In
In a political bombshell, Governor Kim Reynolds announced she won’t seek reelection in 2026—sending shockwaves through Iowa’s political circles and sparking speculation about what’s next. Meanwhile, a troubling fish kill in northeast Iowa raises environmental red flags, as Nina Elkadi reports on the fallout.
Politics hits the water: Canadian sailors redraw race maps to dodge U.S. chaos—and Phoebe Wall Howard has the story.
From these headline stories to poetry, protest, and putter startups, this week’s Around Iowa roundup captures the complexity of life in the heartland. Don’t miss Rick Jost’s juicy business stories and Avery Gregurich’s reflections on strength, routine, and unexpected community—found, of all places, in a nursing home gym. And he eavesdrops.
Finney and Offenburger bring the funny today.
National Politics
Barry Piatt
Barry Piatt says the Farm Bill is being ignored — even by Iowa’s so-called “Silent Six.”
🔗 Read it here
Cheryl Tevis
Cheryl Tevis takes on conspiracy theories and quack cures that are undermining our public health systems.
🔗 Read it here
Dennis Goldford
Dennis Goldford argues that today’s GOP is less conservative and more reactionary — with dangerous implications.
🔗 Read it here
Douglas Burns
Douglas Burns argues that Josh Turek is the Democrats’ best bet for the U.S. Senate in Iowa.
🔗 Read it here
Ed Tibbetts
Iowa’s congressional delegation quietly backs Trump’s trade war — a risky political strategy, Ed Tibbetts argues.
🔗 Read it here
Phoebe Wall Howard
Canadian sailors are redesigning race routes to avoid U.S. waters, citing “safety and security,” and Americans are weighing in.
🔗 Read it here
Robert Leonard
Bob Leonard calls out Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins on her anti-DEI stance — and dubs her “Cruella de Vil.”
🔗 Read it here
Business
Kyle Munson
On the occasion of this weekend's Record Store Day, Kyle Munson dwells on how younger generations are helping to keep many of our hallowed public cultural sanctuaries alive and well.
🔗 Read it here
Maxwell Schaefer
When Iowa native Jared Doerfler couldn’t find the perfect putter, he quit his job, bought a CNC mill, and started making his own. Now, his company Hanna Golf is shipping custom-milled putters across the country.
🔗 Read it here
Rick Jost
The writer, tired of cheap shots aimed at President Herbert Hoover, pays a visit to Hoover's graveside for a "discussion."
🔗 Read it here
Rick Jost
Bits & Pieces: Bite-sized morsels from the business beat. This week's topics include: John Deere makes a fashion statement; vinyl record sales find their groove; an Iowa (farm) land rush.
🔗 Read it here
Diversity in the Heartland
Pat Kinney
A Black history project at a Waterloo museum has been affected by the federal budget axe but will continue with private funds.
🔗 Read it here
Education
Dan Henderson
Donald Trump’s executive orders are pushing a version of history rooted in Christian Nationalism. Henderson explains why this is more indoctrination than education.
🔗 Read it here
Humor
Daniel P. Finney
What to tell aliens when they invade and which commercial slogans sum up today’s economy — welcome to Finney’s 5.
🔗 Read it here
Iowa at Large (issues that don't fit elsewhere)
Art Cullen
An hour goes by in five minutes when you’re on a live TV talk show, Art Cullen finds.
🔗 Read it here
Iowa Politics
Dave Price
It’s the decision that shocked Iowa politics. The Iowa Down Ballot podcast digs into why Kim Reynolds is stepping aside and what it means for 2026.
🔗 Read it here
Dave Price
Governor Kim Reynolds shocked many by stepping aside — but Dave Price asks, was it a surprise?
🔗 Read it here
Laura Belin
Friday was a great day for Rob Sand, writes Laura Belin.
🔗 Read it here
Laura Belin
KHOI's Capitol Week focused on tariffs, trial balloons, and the Iowa legislature’s second funnel week.
🔗 Read it here
Laura Belin
A quiet bill on human remains reveals much about how the Iowa Senate operates.
🔗 Read it here
Robert Leonard
At the Iowa Revolution and Deep Midwest, Bob Leonard and Spencer Dirks talk with the remarkable Abena Imhotep.
🔗 Read it here
Robert Leonard
Bob Leonard attended a protest against fascism in Des Moines and came away with “HANDS OFF: Iowa Patriots Rally against Fascism.”
🔗 Read it here
Beth Hoffman
Beth Hoffman hosts a new podcast “At the Iowa Farm Table” from the Iowa Food System Coalition. This episode spotlights Iowa’s alternative, local food system.
🔗 Read it here
Agriculture
Nina Elkadi
Nina Elkadi reports on a fish kill that occurred in northeast Iowa.
🔗 Read it here
Around Iowa
Chuck Offenburger
Iowa Boy Chuck Offenburger says he's had many big ideas during his long career. One worked well, and ten bombed.
🔗 Read it here
Julie Gammack
With the heart of a poet, the mind of an anthropologist, and a dog named Violet by his side, Bob Leonard walks the woods of Bussey, Iowa—and emerges with stories illuminating the soul of a changing America. Read it here
Law and Justice
Lynn Hicks
Iowa’s indigent defense crisis will harm everyone. Even prosecutors are worried that justice will be denied if lawmakers don’t act.
🔗 Read it here
Media
Dave Busiek
Journalists aren’t capturing the fury of anti-Trump protests, writes Dave Busiek.
🔗 Read it here
Books, Art
Michael Judge
In honor of The Great Gatsby's 100th anniversary, Michael Judge shares an unexpected letter from the chronicler of the Jazz Age.
🔗 Read it here
Poetry
Suzanna de Baca
Suzanna de Baca shares a news response poem called “A Brief History of Wood Splitting.”
🔗 Read it here
Teresa Zilk
In this new era of rise and fall, love looks like resistance.
🔗 Read it here
Religion
Mary Swander (Buggy Land)
Mary Swander shares a reflection from a Mennonite in Palestine/Israel grappling with anti-imperial faith in a nationalistic world.
🔗 Read it here
Strictly Personal
Avery Gregurich
Avery Gregurich reflects on his gym routine at a local nursing home.
🔗 Read it here
World Affairs
Arnold Garson
As Jews prepare for Passover, Arnold Garson tells the astonishing, little-known story of how Denmark, with courage and conscience, saved nearly all of its Jewish population from the Holocaust—led by a 22-year-old lighthouse worker and a boat called Gerda III.
🔗 Read it here
Meet Our Writers
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Peter Hedges is a bard of our modern ages. He understands pain and confusion, conflict and rejection. Love, peace, and compassion. Peter gets it. He also tries to understand this political dissonance in our modern society. But despite these differences he understands people in a genuine and kind way. We all need to remind ourselves of this truism. Peter is a warm person. How we can all learn from his model and his makings.