Even if you don't account for the ample contributions from his wife and in-laws, Sand still outraised all five Republicans for governor by more than $2 million Jan-May. Meanwhile, Zach Lahn outraised Randy Feenstra, with three key donors representing 66% of Lahn's total.

“This is one day of the year I get to immerse myself into my community and just feel at home," said Hai Huynh, festival co-founder and city council member. While Asian Fest is a big success, "the city of Coralville still has yet to really fully embrace the diversity of its community,” Huynh added.

On the Senate floor, Drey — whose predecessor died of cancer — called her own cancer diagnosis "a public policy failure playing out in my body.”

Both candidates agreed Roe v. Wade should be codified by Congress, but they disagreed on the likelihood that working across the aisle with Republicans can accomplish it.

Criterion invented the formula, but Source Book Store and the Cary Grant Died Here collective may have perfected it with 'VHStacks,' a video series that'll have you hunting down a VCR.

"Iowa First" candidate Zach Lahn spent last night onstage with Rob Schneider. This morning, his private flight logs were the subject of a Des Moines Register report.

Whether you're walking up, driving through or submitting an absentee ballot, there's more than one way to vote early. Here's how — in 18 different counties.

"The music scene here was very punk, very DIY and very queer," OHYUNG said of Iowa City, her one-time home. The film composer's dark ambient album 'IOWA' calls to mind both Springsteen's 'Nebraska' and Slipknot's 'Iowa' (but with a lot more choral samples).

At least 10 public employees in the state were fired or disciplined over statements made after Kirk’s killing. Maria Ruhtenberg’s case is the second to be settled with a six-figure payout.

Getting bald eagles off the Endangered Species List was a hard-won conservation victory snatched from the hands of billionaires. Thanks to government regulation, the species lived to see their national bird status become official in 2024.

The Iowa Legislature went back and forth on funding for water quality during the final days and hours of its 2026 session, ultimately diverting $300,000 from the UI's top-tier water monitoring program to Reynolds' new "farm to faucet" plan.

Among Iowa independents polled, Nate Willems led the incumbent Republican by 15 points.

Before their shared show on Sunday, legendary musician Jake Shimabukuro and rising star Andrew Hoyt chatted about the first time they held a ukulele, playing with the pioneers of uke music, and feeling at home in both Hawaii and Iowa.

"We’ve built a system in this state that’s imposing cancer on us and limits the ways we can get treated,” said Art Cullen of Storm Lake, who is a cancer survivor — along with all four of his siblings.

“Demons are real,” “Dems rely on Satan for their health guidelines,” and “Mandatory vaccinations are for Democrats,” according to Shipley's Twitter posts. “Real men” don’t make “public displays of weakness.” “I cry in private. Typically at night under the moon. I offer my sadness to God."

The vice president fumbled around with his notes on Rep. Zach Nunn's Democratic opponent Sarah Trone Garriott yesterday. "We're going to make fun of her a little bit," Vance said, then criticized the state senator for voting no on three anti-trans education bills.

The Republican from Fairfield admits he used slurs in a phone call with a citizen who disagreed with him on ivermectin and abortion. "The people who get bent out of shape and get their feelings hurt by words are not going to fare very well in life," Shipley said in an email to LV.

"One of the most valuable things you can do to be a good friend to your peers is to show up for them," said Bohannon, "to go to their readings, to show up for their show, to keep track of what they’re doing and really use that community as you make your own art."

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"As the legislative session ends, so does the harm," Democrat Janice Weiner said during the last marathon weekend in the Capitol. Gov. Reynolds was far less cynical, saying she's "incredibly proud of the work we’ve accomplished together."

"I’ll keep the Satanists out of the Capitol,” gubernatorial candidate Adam Steen says in a campaign ad titled "Good vs. Evil." "Steen seems intent on building the Satanic Temple into an evil monster threatening the good townsfolk of a Christian state," writes David Leshtz of Iowa City.

José Yugar-Cruz was jailed by ICE for a year, even though he had a legitimate asylum claim. Now he faces deportation to a Central African nation to which he has no ties. "I am afraid to go to this country," he said through an Escucha Mi Voz translator. littlevillagemag.com/protest-depo...

The only person mentioned more than Randy Feenstra on Tuesday was Rob Sand.

Brad Sherman said he was called by God to run, Eddie Andrews seemed to downplay water quality concerns, and Adam Steen said he wouldn't "force a school to accept" his own kids with special needs, even if the school receives ESA funding.

Plant Bingo, book clubs, 'Love Island' watch parties, singles mixers, craft nights — Tiara Phillips hosts dozens of free and near-free events a year just for the fun of it. "It doesn’t matter who you are. You’re going to find someone to talk with at an event,” she said.

The bill includes new required coursework for medical students, mandated Presidential Fitness Tests and limits on screen time in schools. Most importantly, it "makes it harder for working families to access SNAP," Democratic Sen. Molly Donahue pointed out.

"Jody Hovland as Bea gave among my favorite live performances I have ever seen," writes Jessica Cline of Riverside Theatre's latest. "She is, thanks to her impeccable timing, unbelievably funny and managed beautiful moments of earnestness with ease."

It's not legal for the U.S. to deport José Yugar-Cruz to his home country of Bolivia. The government's plan B — deporting him to the Democratic Republic of Congo — isn't legal either, his counsel says.

“The analysis comes on the heels of other recent reports and studies linking nitrate pollution from farms to cancer in heavy agricultural states,” writes Brian Bienkowski of @thenewlede.bsky.social. littlevillagemag.com/farm-runoff-...

“There’s no art form like this, right?” wrestler KJ Orso said. “We are circus performers. We are stuntmen. We are comedians. We are improv actors. Illusionists. Athletes. We are all of this rolled into one, right?" littlevillagemag.com/blood-sweat-...

After finding last month that the actions of immigration officials “test the border of bad faith," a federal judge has again ordered them to hold a bond hearing for an ICE detainee in Polk County Jail. littlevillagemag.com/judge-orders...

After 100 days, the per diems stop for Iowa legislators, but there are still major issues to deal with before they can adjourn for the year. littlevillagemag.com/iowa-legisla...

“I write a lot for my family,” Josie Nabhan-Warren said. “That’s what motivates me the most.” The Iowa City West High junior was selected to be the new Iowa Student Poet Ambassador. littlevillagemag.com/josie-nabhan...

“Everyone experiences trauma differently, because of who you are and your own personal experiences,” Temple Hiatt of @momsdemandaction.org said at the vigil led by an ecumenical group of local clergy. “... Don’t be afraid to reach out for professional support. littlevillagemag.com/community-me...

“This is to me kind of a no-brainer,” Rob Sand said about legalizing marijuana in Iowa. But one key element of legalization in other states isn’t part of the plan Sand released on Monday. littlevillagemag.com/rob-sand-rel...

Iowa has the highest number of CAFOs (concentrated animal feeding operations) in the country, and people who live near them are more susceptible to certain cancers, a new study finds.

The top-of-the-line trishaws operated by Cycling Without Age volunteers give kids, seniors, wheelchair users and people with special needs a refreshing ride at 5-10 mph.

One local performer is assembling the “OGs of the Q.C. burlesque scene" and a range of national performers, too, for the first Wickedest City Burlesque & Variety Festival on Thursday and Friday. "I want the audience to be left in awe," founder Manhattan said.

"If this bill was just about medication by mail, this bill would look very different," said Democratic Rep. Heather Matson. “There is a lot of language in here that is fear-mongering language around trauma."

It took four days for Iowa HHS staff to realize the information had been made public and remove it from their site.

Two more individuals detained by ICE this year and held in Iowa jails have filed lawsuits, alleging violations of their rights.

"If Senator Grassley had the courage to vote against a war in 1991 that had a majority of public support, how much more should he feel it his duty to voice opposition to a war that the people do not want?" writes Ed Flaherty of Iowa City.

Facing torture and death in his home country, José Yugar-Cruz crossed the U.S. border, immediately surrendered, and spent the next 18 months in ICE detention (including at Muscatine Co. Jail) until a judge ordered him released. Now, he faces deportation to a third country that's under martial law.

HF 2296 has only one practical effect: ending a community ID program used by approximately 250 people in a single Iowa county, which has caused no reported problems.

Asylum-seeker José Yugar-Cruz spent 18 months in ICE detention, until a judge ordered him released from the Muscatine County Jail in January. Now, he's back in ICE custody and faces deportation to a third country with documented human rights abuses. littlevillagemag.com/ice-again-se...

If you find your favorite brand of delta-9 THC drinks and gummies have vanished from shelves, you can blame Mitch McConnell. littlevillagemag.com/iowa-delta-9...

"A favorite was a spike-laden black dress with 'IMMIGRANTS BELONG IN IOWA' in metal text painted across the front, set off by a leopard-print top," writes reviewer Malcolm MacDougall of a piece by Metal Ashes in 237 Collective's latest fashion show, 'Ephemeral.' littlevillagemag.com/review-237-f...

John Brown, his son Owen and their allies spent months preparing for the Harpers Ferry raid in the small, mostly Quaker community of Springdale, Iowa. They even recruited some of the locals to join their abolitionist revolt. From 2019:

"As I walked out I heard young students from the School of Music excitedly dissecting the performance, and saw older folks leaving with smiles as though awakening from a dream," writes Kent Williams. "I think Andre Perry and his team are onto something with Stop/Time."

Last year, a judge agreed there had been "unconstitutional" book removals due to SF 496, including nonfiction books about history, anatomy and identifying sexual predators. The Eighth Circuit, however, considers the book ban "legitimate."