Nikoel Hytrek

Sen. Chuck Grassley and his Republican Senate colleagues all voted against a bill to get dark money out of elections on Thursday. The most significant aspect of the DISCLOSE Act would require super PACs, corporations, labor organizations, and others to disclose donors who contributed $10,000 or more during the election cycle. It would do this…

From classrooms in public schools to doctors’ offices, from marriage equality to expanding voting access, accessible child care and action on climate change, Democratic candidates made the case Saturday that they represent the true party fighting for freedom. The annual Steak Fry, hosted by Polk County Democrats, attracted candidates up and down the ballot to…

Like many Republicans on the ballot this fall, Rep. Ashley Hinson’s views on whether Iowans should control their own reproductive health care rights are quickly changing. On Tuesday, Hinson, who represents Iowa’s 1st Congressional District, joined 85 other Republicans in the House of Representatives to sponsor a bill that would ban abortion in all states,…

Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina on Tuesday introduced a nationwide abortion ban in the Senate. Though the ban won’t move forward in the Democratic-controlled Senate this year, it’s a signal for what Republicans will try to do if they retake Congress. There’s signs that both of Iowa’s senators would potentially be on board with…

A proposed diversity audit initiated by the Johnston School District’s former diversity, equity, and inclusion director is being called into question by three conservative members of the Johnson School Board.  West Wind Education Policy President Circe Strombo was at Monday’s board meeting to explain the audit process and provide details about how they approach the…

Recent threats of violence at Johnston schools and the necessity for a director for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) were items students and parents addressed at Monday’s Johnston School Board meeting. Multiple students reported hearing threats of violence and racial slurs in the hallways or being threatened themselves. Many speakers, students, and parents, also pointed…

Polls show that Iowans’ support of legalizing recreational marijuana has reached new highs, but where do Iowa’s two US Senate candidates stand on the issue? Michael Franken, the Democratic candidate from Sioux City, has been vocal about legalizing cannabis at the federal level, removing it as a controlled substance, and addressing imprisonment for marijuana-related offenses,…

US District Court Judge C.J. Williams has denied the request seven Linn-Mar parents made to block the enforcement of Linn-Mar School District’s policy supporting transgender and nonbinary Linn-Mar students. The judge made the decision because the anonymous parents failed to prove that their or their children’s rights were being restricted or that they would be…

NARAL Pro-Choice America endorsed Deidre DeJear for Iowa governor on Thursday. “Iowa needs Deidre DeJear, a leader who will boldly fight for reproductive freedom,” said NARAL President Mini Timmaraju in a statement. “Gov. Reynolds has made no secret of her plans to continue dismantling abortion rights and access, putting the health and well-being of Iowans…

One Iowa-based solar panel installer sees a bright future for the growing industry thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act. Todd Miller, President of 1 Source Solar in Ankeny, said his company is doing projects in all of Iowa’s 99 counties, installing solar panels for both residential and commercial buildings, including at many farms. “This legislation…