Nikoel Hytrek is Iowa Starting Line’s longest-serving reporter. She covers LGBTQ issues, abortion rights and all topics of interest to Iowans. Her biggest goal is to help connect the dots between policy and people’s real lives. If you have story ideas or tips, send them over to nikoel@new.iowastartingline.com.
Nikoel Hytrek
Latest from Nikoel Hytrek
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Abortions in Iowa drop 40%, out of state care increases after near-total ban
Abortions are down 40%, but travel out of state has increased 159%, nearly four months into Iowa’s near-total abortion ban.
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Students: ISU LGBTQ Center turned into ‘generic study lab’ by IA Republicans’ DEI law
Iowa Republicans’ decision to restrict DEI programs means the loss of one university’s LGBTQ+ center, where students have found friendship and safety to be themselves for decades. When Madison O. visited the suite of offices that make up the Center for LGBTQIA+ Student Success at Iowa State University’s Memorial Union, she felt free. “I always…
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Aime Wichtendahl makes history again, first trans woman elected to Iowa House
Iowa’s first-elected trans woman makes history a second time and wins a seat in the Iowa Legislature.
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Eddie Andrews retains his seat in the Iowa House in the 2024 election
Incumbent Rep. Eddie Andrews, a Republican from Johnston, will return to the Iowa House of Representatives in January.
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Matt Blake unseats long-time Republican senator Brad Zaun in 2024 election
Matt Blake, a Democrat from Urbandale, will take his place in the Iowa Senate when the 2025 Legislative Session begins in January. With all precincts reporting in the district, Blake has won 52.35% to 47.48%. The new state senator unseated 19-year incumbent Sen. Brad Zaun, a Republican from Urbandale, by 1,776 votes (19,106 to 17,330)…
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Iowa Democrats rally for Baccam into Election Day
Democratic challenger Lanon Baccam made one last appeal to supporters in his bid against Republican US Rep. Zach Nunn.
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A paywall for tornado warnings? That could happen under Project 2025
Right-wing plans for a second Trump administration would put vital, life-saving weather warnings behind paywalls and weaken the agencies who send them out in the first place.
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More fear, more delays, more travel: The effects of Iowa’s abortion ban
Iowa’s abortion ban has changed the way Iowans are getting care three months after it took effect.
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Volunteers are showing up, knocking doors to protect reproductive rights
With Iowa’s abortion ban in effect and the threat of a national abortion ban at the federal level, volunteers are using their free time to talk to voters about reproductive rights and how to protect them.
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Education has motivated Rep. Sue Cahill’s private and political life
Sue Cahill is dedicated to education and representing the voices of Iowans in the Iowa House.
