Iowa Starting Line

The Trump Administration's crusade against DEI and "waste" in federal spending has hit its latest mark: cancer research. Learn more about it on the most recent episode of Cornhole Champions at the link in our bio.

Running from the police and changing your name is exactly something someone who is not guilty would do. @Chase

At a Parkersburg town hall, Senator Joni Ernst faced fierce pushback as she defended the Trump Administration's cuts to Medicaid. India May was in the audience when she shouted at Ernst that "people will die" if kicked off Medicaid. Ernst responded, "Well, we all are going to die." The exchange went viral and prompted an equally tone-deaf apology video from Ernst the next day. On the latest episode of Cornhole Champions, Amie sat down with May to talk Ernst's response, Iowa's health care crisis, and May's campaign for Iowa House in 2026. Watch the episode at the link in our bio.

Banning abortion didn't ban the need for abortion. Donate to your local access fund!

US Sen. Joni Ernst's viral moment last weekend also helped launch her opponent's campaign. State Rep. JD Scholten, a Democrat from Sioux City, is running in 2026.

Justin Putzier, an Iowa content creator, loves racing and motor sports. He's been to race tracks all over the Midwest, and interviews current and former racers on his YouTube show, "Full Throttle with JP." And he does it all with cerebral palsy, a disorder that affects body movement and muscle coordination. “I do have CP," he told Iowa Starting Line. "[But] I want to come across as someone very interesting that might have very interesting questions." Subscribe to JP's Full Throttle on YouTube at @JPFullThrottle18

Criminalizing the administration of mRNA vaccines. An ACTUAL chem trails bill. There's something going on in the Iowa Legislature. At the link in our bio, listen to the full conversation on Cornhole Champions, a podcast by Iowa Starting Line.

Thousands of Iowans gathered across the state for the No Kings protests on Saturday, June 14. Here are a few thoughts and scenes from Iowa City.

Trump is deploying Marines to LA. Marine vet and US Senate candidate Nathan Sage says that's "f**king insane." Subscribe to Cornhole Champions where you listen to podcasts.

The girls are fighting again

Pro-life, huh?

Freedom to... flourish? Are we sure? 🎥 @Chase

Numbers to call to demand disbanding the Iowa ICE Task Force:point_down: DPS Commissioner Stephan Bayens: 515-725-6182 Gov. Kim Reynolds: 515-281-5211 🎥 @Chase

Waverly, Iowa, had never before held a Pride event, and wanted to do something unique. Organizers decided to showcase an important part of the town—the Cedar River—along with celebrating the area's LGBTQ+ community. "The current political landscape is messy and unpredictable," the Waverly Human Equity and Diversity Commission said in announcing the event on the city's website. "Let's gather and celebrate the wonderful diversity of humanity and our community." The city's own political landscape was messy: One group of pastors opposed any showcase of LGBTQ+ pride. Another group of pastors affirmed the event was welcome in town. It even made national news. But the Sunset Pride Float on June 5, put together by the commission in collaboration with Crawdaddy Outdoors, was actually a chill event. At least 60 paddled a short stretch of the Cedar River in kayaks, canoes, and stand-up paddle boards, while dozens of others cheered them on from the bridges and banks, holding signs and waving flags. "Tonight was truly special," one paddler wrote in an Instagram post. "Never have I been more proud of this town than I was tonight. Good on you Waverly!"