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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Democratic Candidates: Iowa Mental Health Care in ‘Crisis’
Iowa has a crisis for mental health care. That was the consensus of three Democratic candidates for statewide office. Thursday evening the National Association of Social Workers, Iowa Chapter and the Grand View University Social Work Club hosted a town hall for the candidates running for Iowa Governor and for the US Senate. Every candidate…
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Franken: Grassley Needs to Denounce ‘Big Lie,’ Commit To Investigations
Today marks the grim anniversary of rioters storming the United States Capitol to halt the democratic tradition of counting electoral votes and a peaceful transfer of power. The insurrectionists weren’t successful, but Senate candidate and retired admiral Michael Franken said the Jan. 6 coup attempt marks the death of innocence in America. “We’ve lost some…
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Ras Smith on his Campaign Exit and the Future of Iowa Democrats
Though he ended his campaign for governor Wednesday morning, Rep. Ras Smith, is ready to jump feet-first into the start of the legislative session next week. “For me this experience has been one that’s been eye-opening but it’s not discouraging. Disappointing but not discouraging,” Smith said in an interview with Starting Line. “I’m going into…
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Axne and Mayors Plan how to get the Most out of Infrastructure Bill
Wednesday morning, Rep. Cindy Axne met with mayors in and around the Des Moines metro to discuss how to get more bang for their buck out of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. For the most part, every mayor and city manager mentioned how projects they want to see, whether it be water infrastructure, bridges…
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Biden to Crack Down on Meatpacking Industry Price-Gouging, Monopolies
The Biden Administration recently announced moves to break up consolidation in the meatpacking industry and bring meat prices back under control. Monday, the Biden Administration announced it will invest $1 billion to expand independent meat processors, increase competition in the market, and reduce prices for consumers by increasing options farmers have to sell. In America,…
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What’s Actually Getting Done About Supply Chain Problems
Despite continued, loud criticism coming from Iowa conservatives, the supply chain problems created by the pandemic in the U.S. are starting to ease. Most experts say these issues have existed for a long time. The COVID-19 pandemic made them worse. They say most of the issues are also difficult for the government to solve. “To…
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Hytrek: My Favorite Stories I Wrote in 2021
With 2021 coming to a close, the Starting Line team is taking a look back at some of our favorite stories and accomplishments from this year. The following are my favorite pieces I wrote this year—not ranked in any way, just the order in which I thought of them. https://new.iowastartingline.com/local/seven-haunted-places-in-iowa-to-visit/ I’ve explained on Twitter and…
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Hytrek: Hey Joni, Christmas Isn’t Only About Presents
According to Sen. Joni Ernst throughout the past two months, Christmas this year has been ruined. #Bidenomics is causing Iowans’ Christmas gifts to be: ❌ backordered❌ delayed❌ unavailable❌ just plain unaffordable D.C. Democrats need to stop this reckless tax-and-spending spree & address these issues for hardworking Americans. pic.twitter.com/r8buH6Fcur — Joni Ernst (@SenJoniErnst) December 8, 2021…
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GOP Quickly Shoots Down Senate Dems Legal Marijuana Proposal
Support for legalized marijuana is only getting higher in Iowa as Democratic legislators want to give voters the chance to make it happen. Iowa Senate Democrats announced Tuesday they will move to pass an amendment to the Iowa Constitution to regulate marijuana sales the way Iowa regulates alcohol. That would let Iowans directly voice their…
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Axne’s Infrastructure Vote Boosts Iowa’s Manufacturing Economy, Jobs
When the infrastructure bill passed the House of Representatives in November, it did so with only one House vote from Iowa: Rep. Cindy Axne (D). However, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act made it to President Joe Biden’s desk and became law Nov. 15. And while part of the focus afterwards has been placed on…
