A federal judge in Des Moines heard arguments on Monday on the attempt by the Reynolds administration to appropriate the federal government’s power to create and enforce immigration laws. SF 2340 makes it a state crime for a person to be in Iowa if they have previously been denied entry into the U.S., or been […]
Paul Brennan
Des Moines area food banks see a record-breaking surge in people needing assistance as June begins
Food banks always see an increase in the number of people who need help at the beginning of summer, as school vacations begin and kids no longer have easy access to the meals at school. But even with that expected increase, the surge the Des Moines Area Religious Council (DMARC) Food Pantry Network experienced this week […]
Project Rainbow of Iowa has a simple mission with a visible impact
It’s not surprising Project Rainbow of Iowa is getting the attention of local TV news outlets. After all, what the Des Moines-based nonprofit does is literally eye-catching. Project Rainbow delivers Progress Pride flags for people to fly in their yards throughout the month of June, as a statement of support for the LGBTQ community during […]
Rally for ‘honest, inclusive education’ taking place in Iowa City’s College Green Park on Saturday
Art and truth are closely linked for many, so it seems appropriate that as the second day of the Iowa Arts Festival unfolds downtown, there will be an event elsewhere in Iowa City centered on the importance of students receiving an “honest, inclusive education” about American history and society — especially the parts some might […]
Street closures for Iowa Arts Festival start early Friday morning
Streets in downtown Iowa City will be closed to traffic starting at 6 a.m. on Friday morning, as crews begin to set up this year’s Iowa Arts Festival. The three-day long event kicks off at 5 p.m. on Friday and runs through Sunday afternoon. It’s the first weekend-long event of Iowa City’s annual Summer of […]
Tuesday’s primary: Lanon Baccam wins big in IA-03, incumbent supervisors in Polk and Johnson counties defeated
Democrat Lanon Baccam won a landslide victory in Iowa’s 3rd Congressional District, and the Republican incumbents in the 1st and 4th Districts who faced challengers on Tuesday both won. Incumbents typically win primary elections in Iowa, but a Republican supervisor in Polk County and a Democratic supervisor in Johnson County were defeated in their primary […]
Des Moines area residents asked to ‘hold off’ on lawn watering as high nitrate levels threaten drinking water supply in Central Iowa
Residents of Iowa’s largest metro area are being advised they “may need to reduce or hold off on lawn watering altogether,” as Des Moines Water Works (DMWW) and Central Iowa Water Works work to ensure the drinking water they provide to more than 20 percent of the population remains safe. The rains in recent months […]
Where you need to go and what you need to know to vote in Tuesday’s primary
On Tuesday voters will select the candidates who will be on the ballot in the November general election. Because this is a primary for offices elected on a partisan basis, only Democrats and Republicans can vote, and they can only vote for the candidates of their own party. People registered as No Party or Libertarian […]
As jury finds Trump guilty on 34 felony counts, chorus of Iowa Republicans denounce trial as a ‘sham’
“We should all be thankful for the careful attention that this jury paid to the evidence and the law, and their time and commitment over these past several weeks,” Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg said during a news conference on Thursday after former president Donald Trump was convicted on “34 counts of falsifying business records […]
‘Visibility is education’: Pride Corner becomes part of Des Moines’ East Village
Pride Corner was unveiled in Des Moines’ East Village on Tuesday. All four corners of the intersection of East Grand Avenue and East Fifth Street are painted with curving images of the Progress Pride flag to celebrate the history and the presence of the city’s LGBTQ community. “We hope people will enjoy the beautiful art […]
Vigil in Davenport marks one year since the collapse of a downtown apartment building killed three residents
One year after the apartment building at 324 Main St in downtown Davenport partially collapsed, killing three residents and severely injuring a fourth, more than 80 people gathered at the site on Tuesday evening for a memorial vigil. Three small crosses were planted months ago at the edge of the grassy lot where the now-demolished […]
Parking in Iowa City will soon be more expensive as ramp fees double, meters get hungrier and fines go up
Parking in Iowa City will get more expensive as parking ramp fees, the cost of metered parking and parking tickets fines all increase later this year. The city council approved the changes unanimously as part of a broader package of fee increases at its formal meeting on Tuesday, following a public hearing at which no […]

