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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Despite Deaths, Other Linn Co. Nursing Home Not On Outbreak List
Despite residents and staff testing positive for COVID-19, a second long-term care facility in Linn County hasn’t been counted in the state’s online data about the outbreak. Five positive cases have been reported at Linn Manor Care Center in Marion. Two of those have been residents, three have been staff. The two residents have since…
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Despite Deaths, Other Linn Co. Nursing Home Not On Outbreak List
Despite residents and staff testing positive for COVID-19, a second long-term care facility in Linn County hasn’t been counted in the state’s online data about the outbreak. Five positive cases have been reported at Linn Manor Care Center in Marion. Two of those have been residents, three have been staff. The two residents have since…
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Nebraska and Iowa Work Closely Together In Pandemic Response
As the coronavirus moves through the country and statewide shutdowns continue into another week, many states are talking about when and how to reopen their societies and economies. Many governors are collaborating on their responses, with Nebraska and Iowa emerging as a close team in the Midwest. That partnership may have implications for how the…
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Three New Outbreaks at Iowa Longterm Care Facilities
Today, Gov. Kim Reynolds announced three new outbreaks at long-term care facilities in Iowa. Cases in these facilities account for the majority of deaths due to the coronavirus in Iowa, about 53 percent. Reynolds said two of these facilities are in Polk County and the other is in Bremer County. The facilites are: Bartels Lutheran…
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Meat Packing Plants Becoming New Coronavirus Hot Spot
Across the Midwest, a new problem is emerging that affects not only life here, but supply chains for the whole country. Increasingly, workers at meatpacking plants in states like Iowa, Nebraska and South Dakota are testing positive for the coronavirus, forcing some plants to close or suspend operations. Others are keeping their doors open, despite…
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Despite New Outbreaks, Iowa’s Metric Says SE Region Getting Better
Despite nearly half of Iowa’s new coronavirus cases coming from the Southeast Iowa region over the past week, the state’s metric system for determining shelter-in-place now shows it in better shape than before. Region 5, which covers most of Southeast Iowa, Johnson County, Scott County and up through Jackson County, is now rated an eight,…
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Despite New Outbreaks, Iowa’s Metric Says SE Region Getting Better
Despite nearly half of Iowa’s new coronavirus cases coming from the Southeast Iowa region over the past week, the state’s metric system for determining shelter-in-place now shows it in better shape than before. Region 5, which covers most of Southeast Iowa, Johnson County, Scott County and up through Jackson County, is now rated an eight,…
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Despite New Outbreaks, Iowa’s Metric Says SE Region Getting Better
Despite nearly half of Iowa’s new coronavirus cases coming from the Southeast Iowa region over the past week, the state’s metric system for determining shelter-in-place now shows it in better shape than before. Region 5, which covers most of Southeast Iowa, Johnson County, Scott County and up through Jackson County, is now rated an eight,…
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Repairing Democracy Took Center Stage In Iowa Race And Beyond
Democracy and its integrity have been high-profile issues since President Donald Trump took office, and Democrats have been a key part of the conversation, whether in Congress or on the campaign trail. Candidates frequently talked about how they would institute reforms to make a better democracy, and they addressed issues like voting rights and gerrymandering…
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Renewed Focus On Courts In 2020 Race Has Advocates Optimistic
Progressive conversations about the federal judiciary started in earnest in 2016, when Merrick Garland’s nomination to the Supreme Court was blocked by a Republican-controlled Senate. It only increased after Brett Kavanaugh’s appointment in 2018. And now, over the course of the 2020 primary cycle, the federal courts have only gotten more attention, from voters and…
