Zachary Oren Smith is your friendly neighborhood reporter. He leads Starting Line’s political coverage where he investigates corruption, housing affordability and the future of work. For nearly a decade, he’s written award-winning stories for Iowa Public Radio, The Des Moines Register and Iowa City Press-Citizen. Send your tips on hard news and good food to zach@new.iowastartingline.com.
Zachary Oren Smith
Latest from Zachary Oren Smith
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Democrats will return to Des Moines with legislation to feed Iowa kids during the summer
While it needs Republican buy-in, Democrats in the Iowa Legislature plan to reintroduce Summer EBT bill that would have Iowa put $29 million to work feeding 240,000 kids. Child hunger continues to plague Iowa. According to Feeding America, 110,500 children—or 1 in 6 children in the state—do not have enough to eat. But Iowa has…
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Amid pressure, Ernst says she’ll ‘support’ Hegseth through nomination process
After a tough week, Sen. Joni Ernst is suddenly warming to Trump’s nomination of Pete Hegseth as US Secretary of Defense. This after intensive public campaign pressuring her to say ‘yes’ to the Fox News host. Since November, US Sen. Joni Ernst has been in the hot seat. For weeks, she’s been among the few…
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Iowa Republicans rage over Sen. Joni Ernst
Despite her popularity over the years, Sen. Joni Ernst is taking heat over holding up the confirmation of Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for top Pentagon position. Things aren’t going well for US Sen. Joni Ernst. She’s cultivated clout through her experience both in combat and as a military policymaker. But Republicans are going…
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MAGA activists call for Kari Lake to primary Joni Ernst over Hegseth nomination
MAGA activists threaten to primary US Sen. Joni Ernst over her hesitation in backing controversial Trump pick Pete Hegseth. And they’re looking at the Iowa roots of a certain Arizona politician to make it happen. Back in 2020, Republican US Sen. Joni Ernst celebrated a seven percentage point victory to the chant of “six more…
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‘Pete or else!’: Ernst takes MAGA heat over Trump’s Hegseth nomination
The Republican base is targeting US Sen. Joni Ernst over her continued reticence to back Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump’s controversial nominee to run the Pentagon. Pete Hegseth has had a rough ride ever since President-elect Donald Trump put him on the road to be his defense secretary. Since the Fox News host was chosen,…
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Wolf Carbon Solutions withdrawals bid for eastern Iowa CO2 pipeline
A proposed 95-mile carbon capture pipeline project has grinded to a stop. Wolf Carbon Solutions—at least for now—has ended its bid for regulatory approval. Wolf Carbon Solutions told Iowa regulators that it is pulling its application for a pipeline project in eastern Iowa. The project would transport as much as 12 million tons of carbon…
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AP: Miller-Meeks reelected to Congress
22 days after Election Day, The Associated Press declared US Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks the winner. She will represent Iowa’s 1st Congressional District. Republican Mariannette Miller-Meeks will serve Iowa’s 1st Congressional District in Congress. The Associated Press called the race for the incumbent one day before Thanksgiving. The AP put Miller-Meeks’ final winning margin at 798…
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Recount confirms Sen. Sarah Trone Garriott keeps seat
A recount confirmed Democratic state Sen. Sarah Trone Garriott’s victory over Republican challenger Mark Hanson. The votes are tallied, and incumbent state Sen. Garriott of West Des Moines is safe. Hanson, of Waukee, challenged her 24-ballot lead to a recount following election night. But the recount boards found the original results hold up. Trone Garriott…
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Sen. Nate Boulton concedes to Mike Pike following recount
A recount confirmed Republican Mike Pike’s victory over Democratic incumbent state Sen. Nate Boulton. The votes were counted and recounted. And Mike Pike flipped Senate District 20 red. The Republican will represent an area that includes Des Moines, Altoona, Pleasant Hill and southwest Ankeny. At the end of election night, Pike was ahead by 44…
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House Republicans plan ‘comprehensive review’ of Iowa higher ed
After banning DEI programming in higher ed last year, the Iowa Legislature prepares to take more swipes at regulating the state’s regent universities which add an estimated $15 billion to Iowa’s gross state product, supporting one out of every ten jobs. House Republicans plan to continue their regulation focus on higher education in the state.…
