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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Salmon’s Transphobic Bills Could Have Unintended Consequences
State Rep. Sandy Salmon, a Janesville Republican, continues to use the Iowa House of Representatives to weaponize her disdain for the transgender community. Last year, Salmon sponsored bills that would remove gender identity from the Iowa Civil Rights code, thus making it easier for employers and businesses to discriminate against transgender and non-binary Iowans. She…
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Senate Dems Unveil Slate of Bills to Make Parenthood Easier in Iowa
Democrats in the Iowa Senate have introduced a slate of bills this session to help families in Iowa, whether by strengthening maternal health or improving child care. Senate File 2006 would improve maternal and child health under the Medicaid program. It would require reimbursement to cover the costs of labor and delivery. It also offers…
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DeJear Draws on Childhood Experience in her Mental Health Care Push
Deidre DeJear wants to fix the state’s mental health care system so that Iowans can access the same type of help that once got her through an extremely difficult time. When she was eight years old, DeJear’s mother died from childbirth complications. At the time, her father connected DeJear to a grief counselor. In school,…
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Iowa Rep Who Actually Voted for Infrastructure Bill Touts Bridge Repairs
Last Friday, Rep. Cindy Axne announced the first round of funds for Iowa bridge repair that’s coming from the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act she helped pass last year. In Iowa, 4,571 bridges are rated structurally deficient, the most in the country, according to the American Road and Transportation Builders Association. The state has…
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Iowa Senator’s Bill Seeks to Tie Deaths to COVID Vaccines
State Sen. Jim Carlin, a Sioux City Republican who is challenging US Sen. Chuck Grassley in a primary, is starting the legislative session doubling down on spreading doubt and anxiety about COVID-19 vaccines and vaccination in general. His Senate File 2032 requires death certificate forms to include a request for information on the date of…
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Dr. Glenn Hurst: Universal Health Care can Revitalize Rural Iowa
In Dr. Glenn Hurst’s mind, expanding health care is what it will take to revitalize rural Iowa. Hurst is running in the Democratic primary for US Senate in hopes of challenging Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley. The southwest Iowa resident said having a Medicare for All infrastructure is one of the most important things to implement…
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Iowa Senator Introduces Bill That Forces Teachers to Recite Pledge, be ‘Patriotic’
Iowa Republicans are seeking more control over what teachers say and do in the classroom. Senate File 2043, introduced and referred to the education committee, would require teachers to recite the Pledge of Allegiance and stand while doing so, or while it is recited. Teachers with a documented disability that prevents them from standing are…
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Finkenauer Rips Sinema as ‘Sell-Out’ For Stalling Progress in Senate
US Senate candidate and former-Rep. Abby Finkenauer called out US Sen. Kyrsten Sinema for getting in the way of Democrats’ ability to pass legislation on Thursday. “Now, we technically as Democrats have control of the U.S. Senate, but we’ve got a sellout in Krysten Sinema who is there for what reason I don’t know,” Finkenauer…
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Educators, Dems: Reynolds’ Plan Only Undermines Education in Iowa
In her Condition of the State address Tuesday, Gov. Kim Reynolds made mixed gestures to Iowa educators. On one hand, she thanked them for their hard work during the pandemic. On the other, she highlighted policies that will shift funds away from public schools and target teachers who promote diversity with diverse books and lessons.…
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Konfrst: Reynolds’ Divisive Ideas Won’t Bring People to Iowa
In tonight’s Condition of the State address, Gov. Kim Reynolds laid out her policy plans for the year, from deep tax cuts to educator training programs to filling workforce gaps. Jennifer Konfrst, Democratic minority leader in the Iowa House, said she needs a lot more detail about some of the governor’s plans before Democrats can…
