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Eddie Andrews accuses fellow GOP candidate for governor of threats and attempted sabotage as he qualifies for the primary ballot

State Rep. Eddie Andrews has qualified for the 2026 Republican gubernatorial primary ballot, the State Objection Panel ruled Wednesday. The three-person panel, which hears challenges to candidates’ nominating papers, began their discussion Tuesday on an objection filed challenging aspects of Andrews’ filing. When the panel initially met, staff for the Iowa Secretary of State’s office had found […]

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Czech Village’s new, women-owned bookstores bring two different vibes to the neighborhood

Most Iowans are lucky to have a single bookstore in their neighborhood. As of December, Cedar Rapids’ Czech Village has two. Sisters Books and Nooks debuted in September, founded by friends Jamie Sharar and Sarah Danielson, who call themselves “sisters by choice.” Three months later, sisters-by-birth Lindsay and Jaymie McGrath opened I’ll Meet You There […]

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ICE accused of maliciously staging a ‘sham’ hearing for Iowa detainee denied bond

The attorney for an immigration detainee held in the Polk County Jail says federal officials maliciously staged a “sham” court hearing orchestrated to keep his client behind bars. The case involves Suraj Vasal, who four years ago came to the United States from India seeking asylum and was then released on his own recognizance. Court […]

Posted inArts & Entertainment

Margaret Cho discusses performing in red states, conservative comedians and the benefits of bombing onstage

It’s been said that you should never meet your heroes. However, as a workaholic Asian-American trying to make her way in the comedy world from the heart of Iowa, I’ve never been one for listening to the word “should.” So, when I had an opportunity to have a conversation with comedy icon Margaret Cho, I had to go for it.

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‘No Kings’ returns on Saturday, and more Iowa cities will be protesting Trump policies than ever

“No Kings” protests return on Saturday, with more than 3,000 events scheduled nationwide. Organizers say they anticipate the March 28 events to be the biggest day of protest in American history.  In Iowa, the number of communities participating in No Kings has grown with every protest, from 33 last June to 40 in October 2025. […]

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To cover Medicaid funding gap left by Congress, Iowa House passes bill to raise tax on HMOs; Democrats warn health insurance premiums will spike

The Iowa House passed a bill Thursday retroactively raising the premium tax rate for health maintenance organizations (HMOs) to make up for a Medicaid budget shortfall — a move Democrats and insurers said would raise healthcare costs for all Iowans, but Republicans argued was needed to draw down federal funding. HF 2739, approved on a […]

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