1stHeadlinesBreaking News Headlines

Des Moines IA

Text size100%

Iowa’s seniors deserve better than what happened in Lawton

Shawn Olorundami is a teacher and candidate for the Iowa House of Representatives in District 1. When families make the difficult decision to move a loved one into an assisted-living facility, they place an extraordinary amount of trust in the people responsible for their care. They trust that their parents and…

Iowa wildflower Wednesday: Seedbox and its treasure chest

Diane Porter of Fairfield first published this post in late August on My Gaia, an email newsletter “about getting to know nature” and “giving her a helping hand in our own backyards.” Diane also maintains the Birdwatching Dot Com website and bird blog. On a September morning, I rediscovered a plant that I was looking…

Trump v. United States — That says it all

Herb Strentz was dean of the Drake School of Journalism from 1975 to 1988 and professor there until retirement in 2004. He was executive secretary of the Iowa Freedom of Information Council from its founding in 1976 to 2000. Try as one might, I defy you to find a better concise description of what’s at

How Brenna Bird has left Iowa’s environment defenseless

Ric Zarwell, John A. Lundell, and Kevin W. Techau co-authored this column. Zarwell is a lifelong Allamakee County conservationist, birder, and former president of the Allamakee County Protectors, known for advocating for the land and water of the Driftless Area. Lundell is a former mayor of Coralville (2013 – 2021)…

The Iowa Democratic Party’s 2026 platform: Democracy in Action

Brian McLain is a co-chair of the Iowa Democratic Party’s Platform Committee and former chair of the party’s Progressive Caucus. Every two years, hundreds of Iowa Democratic Party members come together to determine the direction they want the Party to go. It is a long process requiring hours of meetings, debate, and…