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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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…
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Joni Ernst Backs Judge Who Wanted Attorneys For Fetuses
As soon as the impeachment trial was finished, Senate Republicans returned immediately to the task of voting on and confirming federal judges. On Tuesday, by a narrow vote of 52-47, the Senate confirmed Andrew Brasher to the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals. Iowa Sens. Joni Ernst and Chuck Grassley were both among the senators who…
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Joni Ernst Backs Judge Who Wanted Attorneys For Fetuses
As soon as the impeachment trial was finished, Senate Republicans returned immediately to the task of voting on and confirming federal judges. On Tuesday, by a narrow vote of 52-47, the Senate confirmed Andrew Brasher to the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals. Iowa Sens. Joni Ernst and Chuck Grassley were both among the senators who…
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Joni Ernst Backs Judge Who Wanted Attorneys For Fetuses
As soon as the impeachment trial was finished, Senate Republicans returned immediately to the task of voting on and confirming federal judges. On Tuesday, by a narrow vote of 52-47, the Senate confirmed Andrew Brasher to the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals. Iowa Sens. Joni Ernst and Chuck Grassley were both among the senators who…
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Some Iowa House GOP Lawmakers Ramp Up LGBTQ Attacks
A group of Iowa Republican legislators won’t leave LGBTQ Iowans alone. Since the new legislative session began in January, Reps. Sandy Salmon, Dean Fisher, Jeff Shipley, Skyler Wheeler and others have supported bills to remove or chip away at civil rights, especially for transgender Iowans. At least five bills targeting LGBTQ rights have been introduced…
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Some Iowa House GOP Lawmakers Ramp Up LGBTQ Attacks
A group of Iowa Republican legislators won’t leave LGBTQ Iowans alone. Since the new legislative session began in January, Reps. Sandy Salmon, Dean Fisher, Jeff Shipley, Skyler Wheeler and others have supported bills to remove or chip away at civil rights, especially for transgender Iowans. At least five bills targeting LGBTQ rights have been introduced…
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After Months of Hype, Why Was Caucus Turnout Low?
The Iowa caucuses were supposed to be the first moment of sweeping Democratic turnout in 2020. But while results are still trickling in, it’s become clear that turnout was not the giant surge people had hoped and prepared for. Despite three years of a Trump presidency, a year of interactions with candidates and good weather…
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In 2 DSM Precincts, Unity Against Trump Kept Dems Friendly
Though two separate precincts were packed together in a middle school gym, the night was relatively conflict-free. Des Moines 6 and 18, on the north side of the city, were on two sides of the gymnasium at Harding Middle School. They ran pretty well, especially under the lead of Angel Head, the caucus chair who…
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In 2 DSM Precincts, Unity Against Trump Kept Dems Friendly
Though two separate precincts were packed together in a middle school gym, the night was relatively conflict-free. Des Moines 6 and 18, on the north side of the city, were on two sides of the gymnasium at Harding Middle School. They ran pretty well, especially under the lead of Angel Head, the caucus chair who…
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Buttigieg’s Building Momentum Carries Into Caucuses
If you’ve followed Pete Buttigieg’s rise in Iowa, you know it’s been one of the more surprising stories in the field. And if you had doubts about his sustainability, it would help to take a closer look at his ground game. Buttigieg hasn’t changed much about the message of his campaign over the past few…
