Grace Katzer

“By asking a business if they’re LGBT-friendly or a transgender safe space, that sends a message to the community, because those people need to know expressly that they are welcome there.”

After the Iowa House and Senate passed a new abortion ban bill—which essentially caps abortions at just six weeks into pregnancy which is before most people find out they’re pregnant—reactions from abortion advocates and Iowa politicians came flooding in.  Gov. Kim Reynolds, who called for the special session weeks after the Iowa Supreme Court enjoined…

For Iowa State Auditor Rob Sand, the last six months have been particularly frustrating for various reasons.

The Iowa Legislature will convene for a special session on Tuesday, July 11, for the sole purpose of enacting another abortion ban. Gov. Kim Reynolds called for a special session to enact abortion legislation less than three weeks after the Iowa Supreme Court blocked her previous abortion ban. The call for a special session has…

Iowa City Starbucks workers and community members gathered for a one-day strike on Friday, joining over 3,000 workers in more than 150 stores across the country.

A new initiative launched by the Family Planning Council of Iowa (FPCI) aims to bring Iowans affordable health care by providing free reproductive health kits for those in need. The initiative comes one year after Roe v. Wade was overturned by the US Supreme Court, which took away the federal right to access abortion for…

One year after Roe v. Wade was overturned, people seeking reproductive healthcare are feeling what was expected: lack of accessibility, uncertainty, rising costs, and fear. Despite increasing challenges, Planned Parenthood is responding with an abortion access plan to increase availability throughout Iowa.  “The abortion access crisis across our country is a health care emergency, and…

The American Red Cross is encouraging those eligible to donate blood soon, in light of a “concerning donation shortfall” over recent weeks.

An Arkansas district judge permanently enjoined the country’s first gender-affirming care ban for transgender youth, a decision that could potentially affect Iowa. Dozens of states, including Iowa, passed similar bans. U.S. District Judge Jay Moody ruled on Tuesday in favor of gender-affirming care for minors in Arkansas following a two-year battle with state politicians. Moody…

Francine Thompson’s home state has not given her a lot to celebrate lately. “I’m a sixth-generation Iowan and I’m very proud of the state that I live in,” said Thompson, who serves as executive director of the Emma Goldman Clinic in Iowa City. “But I have been disappointed by some of the most recent harmful…