New newsletter is up! My apologies for my relative silence this fall. I have dedicated my time intentionally, traveling around Iowa, listening, learning, and preparing for our work this winter. mailchi.mp/legis.iowa.g...

Utterly charmed to join this group of retired teachers and the Ukrainian women's wrestling team in #IADist89 for lunch and beautiful carols! After discussing holiday traditions across generations, the single topic on everyone's mind is protecting the future of IPERS.

Holiday Lights at the Lake is delightful entertainment every evening through New Years, benefitting our phenomenal hospice care #thebirdhouse. Located at W Overlook, adjacent to #LakeMcBride, plan on about a half hour of cruising the event itself for only $10/car! Including some of my favorites.

"I really have been thinking a lot about listening before legislating and I think a lot of that has come out of these listening posts, hearing what’s going great in communities, what’s a struggle and what are ways we can be helpful at the state level.' Too right. www.crestonnews.com/news/local/2...

My father's hanukkiah. Warmth and light and family through the cold and dark season. Look out for one another, please.

Snow Day driving to and from Des Moines for incredibly important conversations! Stay safe and warm, friends, and take it slow if you're driving! And, THANK YOU to plow drivers and public safety workers who I saw working all day to keep people safe on the roads!!

That's a season wrap on Elinor in the NICU for 2025! Spending time with these little ones is the most relaxing part of my week, and I particularly look forward to getting back to them on Fridays during the legislative session. #considercompassion

Love meeting close to home at Zoetic Coffee in the South of 6 South District Market off of Hwy 6! Failed to get a picture with Supervisor Fixmer-Oraiz, but it's always SO great to catch up, share what we're seeing and hearing, and work together for our future! #iadist89

Y'all, #IADist89 is filled with bright, fantastic entrepreneurs! Congratulations, Jacqueline, on this recognition! Here's hoping that I can still find a table at Mammitas Latin Cafe!! dailyiowan.com/2025/12/09/m...

Several great meetings this morning, including one in person at Deluxe Bakery to talk Iowa water future! We had so much to say that I had to run, and that delicious quiche ended up being breakfast AND lunch!

If you’re in Iowa House District 7, go vote for Rachel Burns today!!! 🇺🇸

Providers of and advocates for services like speech therapy are expressing concern that a pending state rule change for Medicaid billing could weaken those services. www.thegazette.com/state-govern...

"The IA Department for the Blind (IDB) is seeking feedback to strengthen our vocational rehabilitation services. Voluntary Anonymous Just 10–15 minutes to complete Respond by Tues, Dec 23. Your insights on how well services meet needs will directly inform improvements." www.surveymonkey.com/r/IDB

Neighbors helping neighbors in the South District. 💪🌨️ www.kcrg.com/2025/12/07/i...

Signs of Fascism Protest at the Iowa Governor’s Mansion.

We're happy to announce that this year, we distributed more than $1.3 million in grant funding to support family farmers. Learn more and see the list of organizations we supported: www.farmaid.org/pres...

Eye watering figures herein. Charles' benchmark policy premiums increasing 600-700% in Iowa's First and Third districts.

When I'm busy running around #IADist89, I feel lucky to be able to stop into amazing places like Sidekick Coffee and Books to not only do a little holiday shopping for my niblings and run into friends, but also get a piece of quiche and a hot chocolate to fuel me for the next meeting!

I thoroughly enjoyed getting to visit the EB Lyons Interpretive Center in Dubuque Co. for this evening's event and checking out the exhibits before the crowd started to arrive!

Appreciate the Dubuque Area Land & Water Legacy hosting this in-person info and public comment session on IA's proposed Wildlife Action Plan. Questions and comments figures on specific species of concern, on invasive species' impacts on natives, and forest conservation. #ListeningBeforeLegislating

Traveling around, listening across the state, you know what I'm hearing? Iowans are tired and stressed. So, please, give yourself and those around you a little grace. Drink water, get some sleep, breathe. #considercompassion

#IADist89 really is filled with beauty.

This fall, House Education Committee Democrats decided that we needed to hear Iowan's thoughts and concerns on the topic of schools. So, we went all over the state to hear what educators, parents, students, administrators, community members, board members, and others had to say. 1/2

The 2025 Iowa Farm & Rural Life Poll summary is now available from @iowastateu. This year, cost of inputs is the top economic concern. Not surprising, given the lack of competition in the industry. Soil compaction and drone use are also top of mind. 1/2 ext.soc.iastate.edu/programs/iow...

From 2022–2032, demand for Audiologists will increase: 10% in the U.S. 15.8% in Iowa demand for Speech-Language Pathologists will increase: 19% in the U.S. 27.3% in Iowa www.asha.org/siteassets/a... 1/3

Legislative Reception with the #JoCoLibraries and the #IowaLibraryAssociation at ICPL, including Solon, Swisher, North Liberty, Springmeier (Tiffin), Oxford, and Coralville Libraries. The theme of the evening is how libraries are #connectingcommunities Always happy to be listening!

Opening morning at Zoetic Coffee So6 #IADist89 location! I got to be the first customer and can't wait to sip my Immunitea at the bank, as I teach, and all the way through my busy morning! They're open today until 11:00 am, so get in and check them out!

"For much of its history, Iowa has been giving gifts of civil rights, equality and compassion to its citizens. That’s our heritage." Bonus points for "But not a real goldfinch, that’s cruel" reference.

Drive safe ALL WINTER LONG, friends! #HomeSweetHome #IADist89

1 in 4 Iowa adults providing unpaid elder care to loved ones, new AARP survey finds

Celebrated the 250th birthday of the Marine Corps last night with Marine Mountain Warfare Training Command Bridgeport, where my spouse had been stationed for nearly 4 years. New for the 250th, I loved the narrated historical uniform pageant, even though I couldn't get any good pictures at all.

The Iowa library exploration continues today in Bettendorf. Great size, calm vibes, and EXCELLENT wifi. Plus, given all the people here and the fact that every study room was busy, clearly a well-utilized part of people's lives. 💜📚📚💜

Spending time this afternoon with law students learning about the Legislative Process in Iowa. Thanks to the Hubble Environmental Law Center for hosting this informative session and to the IA Environmental Council for bringing the expertise!

Come out and chat, #IADist89! I'm here until 9!

Touring close to home! The PhDs, grad students, undergrad students, and MDs who are laser-focused on understanding and improving the prevalence of cancer here at home. 1/3

"Local Food Leader (LFL) is an individual, skill-building certification for beginning food systems practitioners or those looking to be more engaged in their local food system." www.extension.iastate.edu/ffed/food-sy...

"Local Food Leader (LFL) is an individual, skill-building certification for beginning food systems practitioners or those looking to be more engaged in their local food system."

You have access to the Energy Policy Simulator Tool! Can't wait to hear what you come up with! 1/3 energypolicy.solutions/home/iowa/en

TONIGHT: Final Interim #IADist89 Check-in at 2 Dogs Pub 8-9pm tonight. I can't wait to hear your concerns, excitement, and hopes for the '26 legislative session!

A midterm caucus is a great opportunity to gather with neighbors in the dark season, find out what's going on with folks, and discuss what we see in our future. **Sign up to be a volunteer at your precinct caucus, and have a bright spot in your February!** 1/2 www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0C44A5...

Rockwell City, y'all deserve a lot better than what you've gotten from state government. I learned a lot at the doors today. But this playground in the park freaking rules. I'm coming back just to play on it.

Perennial fall door knocking fav: Extra crunchy leaves. 🪾🍁🍂🍁🍂🍁🍂🪾

Knocking doors in Rockwell City with @burnsforiowa.bsky.social today! #IAHD7 deserves all amazing two who will show up for her constituents, and Rachel brings experience in Emergency Services, education, and so much more!! #ProvenProgressforAllIowans

Mobile office this morning. Finding good signal for my hotspot in Rockwell City was tough, so I ended up just outside of town at this mini park. Certainly can't beat the view.

Driving the White Pole Road Scenic Byway checks another Iowa box that's been waiting for me. I enjoyed taking a brief tour through Adair, Casey, Menlo, Stuart, & Dexter. I'll definitely want another shot some time when it's lighter out, but Casey won the evening with its Main Street lights.

First time spending a day getting off 80 and driving around the #loesshills in SW Iowa. 🖼️ Love the rolling terrain. Can't wait to see it again and again, at different times of year.

Council Bluffs Public Library is wonderful. 💜📚

Absolutely delighted by Saturday morning in Creston, IA, and getting very excited for our @iowahousedems.bsky.social Education Listening Post at the Gibson Memorial Library from 10-11:30! #ialegis

The newest Iowa Valley Habitat Women Build home in Coralville is coming together beautifully! This program builds skills and duties right at home for Iowans. 💜🏠🏘️💪

Uplifted at the ChildServe Launch+Learn this afternoon, particularly hearing the incredible talents of aspiring opera singer Jude Salten.