Does 1873 sound like a really, really long time ago? Well, that’s because it is—but if Republicans and far-right anti-abortion activists have their way, an 1870s law could soon be at play in the modern world as a tool to make abortion care all but impossible, even in states with legal protections for the procedure.  The law in question is called the Comstock Act. Its earliest iteration was passed in 1873 (yes, really) as a means of restricting distribution of “obscene” materials that would contribute to societal “vices.” The initial ruling made it illegal to distribute “lewd and lasciviou ..read more

Did you know that Iowa is the No. 1 egg-producing state? Not only do the eggs look and taste better, but buying straight from a local farm keeps money in your community and helps build resiliency into the food system. Luckily for residents of Eastern Iowa, there are plenty of spots to grab some fresh eggs right off the farm and literally taste the difference: Indian Creek Nature Center 5300 Otis Rd. SE, Cedar Rapids (319) 362-0664 Website Eggs are collected daily at the Nature’s Center farm property in Linn County and then sold in the Creekside Shop. Focused on regenerative agriculture, the fa ..read more

Iowa legislators said a new bill cutting money for agencies that help students with disabilities wouldn’t affect services. But area education agencies (AEAs) across the state are now beginning to cut their budgets, and staff, because of it. “This is a day of grieving,” one staffer at the Green Hills AEA wrote on Facebook last week. “We have lost 49 members of our team from the ‘we are not trying to dismantle the AEAs’ legislation. This is now an official Reduction in Force. That is 49 out of 320 positions to date. That is 15% of our team.” Reached for comment, Green Hills AEA—which covers the ..read more

The Kennedy family has long been considered “Democratic royalty.” But Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.—son of Robert F. Kennedy, who was assassinated while campaigning as a Democratic candidate for the 1968 presidential election—has drawn criticism from his own family while espousing conspiracy theories and publicly backing falsehoods regarding everything from vaccines to cancer. Just this week, members of the Kennedy family publicly endorsed Joe Biden for president in a speech by RFK Jr.’s sister, Kerry Kennedy. And while experts say the former environmental lawyer stands no real chance of winning the ..read more

Over the past year, former president Donald Trump has become the center of not one, not two, not three, but four criminal investigations, at both the state and federal level.  The 2024 Republican presidential nominee faces 91 charges across the four cases he’s been indicted in and has pleaded not guilty to all of them. These charges are the first time a president has been indicted in the over two centuries the United States has existed. Trump has denied wrongdoing in each case and insisted, despite mountains of evidence, that all of the charges are “fake.”   Here’s a breakdown o ..read more

Let’s explore some budget-friendly, locally-owned restaurants in Des Moines where you can enjoy cheap steak without compromising on taste. Whether you’re craving a juicy ribeye or a tender filet mignon, these restaurants have got you covered.  Jesse’s Embers Jesse’s Embers is a beacon for steak lovers on the hunt for both quality and value. This charming eatery offers an array of steak selections that promise to satisfy your carnivorous cravings without overextending your budget. Among the restaurant’s offerings, the 8 oz. small sirloin steals the spotlight. It’s a dish that effortlessly ..read more

Iowa Gov. Reynolds announced a competitive $900,000 grant program to feed Iowa children over the summer, months after she declined $29 million in federal funds to feed kids. Senate Minority Leader Pam Jochum (D-Dubuque) calls the new proposal “a hunger game.” @iowastartingline Iowa Gov. Reynolds announced a competitive $900,000 grant program to feed Iowa children over the summer, months after she declined $29 million in federal funds to feed kids. Senate Minority Leader Pam Jochum (D-Dubuque) calls the new proposal “a hunger game.” #iowa #iowanews #iowalife ♬ original sound – Iowa Starting Lin ..read more

Originally published by The 19th In what could be a groundbreaking shift in American workplaces, most employees across the country will now have access to unpaid time off to recover from childbirth or to access an abortion. These changes are part of new workplace protections made possible through the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act. Discrimination against pregnant people in the workplace has run rampant for years, necessitating new legislation that would clamp down on employers who fire workers rather than accommodate their needs. After more than a decade of advocacy, the law passed in December ..read more

Sen. Bill Dotzler, 75, called the last two legislative sessions the “worst attack” on low-income and working-class Iowans he has ever seen. The Democrat from Waterloo—who has served in the legislature for over three decades—made those remarks Tuesday as the Iowa Senate spent a portion of the 100th day of the legislative session debating a previously shelved bill to ban basic income programs in Iowa.  The bill—HF 2319—passed in a 35-13 party-line vote with Republicans in favor and Democrats opposed. “I just don’t get it. I’ve been through a lot of sessions and I haven’t quite seen one like ..read more

During his time on the campaign trail, Donald Trump has sought to refashion his record and image as being a pro-worker candidate—one that wants to protect American labor.  And if a recent focus group of voters conducted by NBC News is any indication—Trump’s PR campaign seems to be working. “I think he’s pro-worker. I think he knows how to get jobs there,” one Michigan voter said about Trump. “I think he’s more about the workers, as a whole,” said another.  But Trump’s actual record on workers undercuts his stump speech and his claims of being a populist, pro-worker candidate.  ..read more