This week, after Republicans on an Iowa House subcommittee advanced a bill to eliminate the power of local governments to offer broader civil rights protections than the state does, Ames became the latest city in the state to amend its municipal code to protect the rights of transgender and nonbinary residents. HSB 664 was drafted […]
Community/News
Posted inDear Kiki
Dear Kiki: My partner never wants to get married. I do.
My partner doesn’t want to get married (like at all, ever, in general), but I like the idea of it. It’s not a dealbreaker for me, but it does make me a little sad to think of not marrying the love of my life. What should I do for closure? Like, is there a way […]
Posted inDear Kiki
Dear Kiki: Will noticing our nocturnal activities scar the baby?
My partner and I have a 5-month-old who sleeps in a bassinet in the same room as us. We are wondering: When does inadvertently witnessing spontaneous late-night activity potentially scar the kiddo? It’s nothing wild, obvs; we save that for when the baby has naptime in the nursery. —Impromptu Canoodler For a technical answer to […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Bill making it near impossible to designate Iowa waterways as impaired due to fecal bacteria contamination advances
A bill that advanced in a House subcommittee and committee Tuesday would prohibit a water segment from being designated as impaired unless the Iowa Department of Natural Resources identified the percentage of fecal bacteria coming from each animal species that contributed to its impairment. Every two years, the DNR must submit a list to the […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Iowa House Republicans advance bills to eliminate local civil rights protections, allow parents to force LGBTQ kids into ‘conversion therapy’
Republican members of two Iowa House Judiciary subcommittees advanced two bills on Monday that continue the anti-LGBTQ agenda Gov. Kim Reynolds and legislative Republicans have enshrined in state law since 2022. As the hearings were underway, supporters of transgender rights and advocates for LGBTQ Iowans protested in the rotunda and halls of the State Capitol. […]
Posted inDear Kiki
Dear Kiki: When should I tell them I’m asexual?
Dear Kiki, As an asexual person, is there a certain time and place to bring up my sexuality when dating that won’t deter people but will let them know I am someone who takes things very slow in all aspects of the word? —Proceeding with Caution Dear Proceeding with Caution, The slow and steady approach […]
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Protesters sing hymns inside Coralville Target as part of nationwide campaign pressuring the company to change its ICE stance
Emily Patton was standing outside the Target at Coral Ridge Mall a little before 2 p.m. on Sunday, holding an American flag and a sign with a simple, direct message: “ICE OUT!” Patton had driven in from Wilton to participate in a protest aimed at the Target Corporation and its relationship with ICE. “Early on, […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Windschitl ends 4th District campaign after Trump snub, dire fundraising report
Rep. Matt Windschitl, former Iowa House majority leader, was the latest candidate to announce his congressional campaign suspension Friday. Fields are narrowing in races for federal offices in Iowa, as fundraising reports show some candidates pulling ahead of primary challengers. Windschitl, who began his bid for Iowa’s 4th Congressional District in July 2025, announced Friday […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Iowa City students walk out of class to protest ICE
Students from Iowa City West High School gathered on the Pentacrest Thursday afternoon after walking out of classes to protest the actions of ICE and the Trump administration’s immigration policies. They were joined by students from City High and Southeast Middle School, as well as students from the University of Iowa and other supporters outraged […]
Posted inDear Kiki
Dear Kiki: My partner and I are demoting each other
My partner is my best friend. We are ethically nonmonogamous and are going to start scaling back our relationship to make ways for different primary partners. Any advice about how to handle this or bumps in the road to expect? —Meticulously Unweaving Congratulations! This is such a gift that you and your friend are giving […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Iowa’s last adult movie theater attracted loners and swingers alike in Waterloo
When my friends and I turned 18 in the early aughts, we decided we were tired of our parents’ basements. We found our new hang on the north side of Cedar Rapids. Sure, Adult Shop North was the place where people in town picked up their lubricants, toys and triple-X movies, but it also had […]
Posted inCommunity/News
‘Reading is so important, but…’: Iowa House panel advances expanded ban on gender, sexuality materials in schools
The House Education Committee moved forward Wednesday with legislation that would prohibit instruction and materials on gender identity and sexual orientation for all K-12 students. HF 2121, approved 14-9, is an expansion of the 2023 ban on programs, material, instruction, surveys and questionnaires and “promotion” related to gender identity and sexual orientation for K-6 students. […]
