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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Axne Keeps Focus On Mental Health With Biden-Signed Bill Honoring Iowa Veteran
In 2018, the average number of veteran suicides was 17.6 per day, according to the Department of Veterans Affairs. In November 2020, the VA released an updated report and found that number has not changed significantly. In 2016, Sgt. Brandon Ketchum died by suicide after being denied access to mental health services at the VA…
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Axne Secures Funding For Iowa Bridges, Roads And Transit Projects
Six new Iowa infrastructure projects are on track to have funding thanks to Iowa Rep. Cindy Axne. The Investing in a New Vision for the Environment and Surface Transportation (INVEST) in America Act passed in the House of Representatives yesterday, and with it, over $21 million of funding for six projects in Iowa’s 3rd congressional…
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Iowa Still Hasn’t Requested Rescue Plan Funds For Small Towns
Though the money has been going out since May, Iowa has yet to request American Rescue Plan money for the state’s small towns. According to the Treasury Department, the total allocation would be $221,737,821, with the first half delivered this year. Only 11 other states have yet to put in an invoice for their funding.…
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40 Iowa Infectious Disease Doctors Warn Vaccination Rates Not Enough
In the latest push for more Iowans to get vaccinated for COVID-19, 40 infectious disease physicians in Iowa put out a statement explaining the benefits. Published in the Des Moines Register, the statement makes three key points that address the biggest concerns: the testing wasn’t rushed, the vaccine’s safety and effectiveness has been carefully reviewed,…
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How Removing Some Dams Makes Life, Recreation Safer In Iowa
President Joe Biden’s infrastructure plan is undergoing work to bring more members of Congress on board. If passed, it could mean significant help for Iowa, with funding for areas that need more work like the high number of structurally deficient bridges. One other potential benefit could address Iowa’s efforts on local dams. The state’s dam…
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Man Arrested For Anti-LGBTQ Hate Crime In Boone
Robert Geddes, a 25-year-old in Boone, Iowa, was arrested Monday for allegedly leaving notes on people’s homes telling them to “burn that gay flag.” The targeted homes flew rainbow Pride flags, displayed yard signs or owned rainbow doormats. Geddes was identified by a Ring Doorbell camera. He’s been charged with four counts of trespass with…
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Grassley, Ernst Lie About Voting Rights Bill, Vote Against It
As they’ve been signaling for weeks, Iowa Sens. Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst voted against a bill that would improve America’s election laws. The For the People Act (S. 1), came up for a vote to open debate in the Senate last night with no Republican support, despite concern for election integrity across the country.…
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The Crucial Protection For LGBTQ Iowans Still Missing In Iowa Law
In the past decade, the LGBTQ community has made significant strides in their fight for equal treatment by society. But the fight isn’t over. Twice now, the Iowa House has unanimously passed a ban on defendants using someone’s sexuality or gender identity as a defense for assaulting or killing them. But the Iowa Senate never…
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Iowa Can Fix Its Water Quality Problem, But ‘Voluntary’ Actions Limit Progress
Every other year the Environmental Protection Agency requires states list which bodies of water don’t meet federal standards. In Iowa, that list had 584 entries. Iowa’s water quality is impacted mostly by manure and pesticide runoff from agriculture, meaning E. Coli and toxic bacteria that look like—and are called—algae blooms. Already, four beaches in Iowa…
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With No State Vaccine Incentives Planned, Polk County Kicks Off Its Own Lottery
Though Gov. Kim Reynolds has no plans to incentivize vaccination in Iowa, the state’s counties and municipalities do. Today Polk County announced a lottery running from today to Aug. 22. To register, individuals have to be at least 18 and must have at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine (Pfizer, Moderna) or be fully…
