Political Voices

Perspectives from Party Leadership More Childcare Could Help Iowa’s Struggling Economy Republicans Deliver Real Relief for Families The lack of affordable and accessible child care costs Iowa about $1.1 billion a year in lost earnings and tax revenue By: Iowa Democratic Party Chair Rita Hart When Kim Reynolds gave her big annual speech at the…

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‘Our love for journalism bonds us together.’

Article by Levi Foster From July 7th to July 10th, students from across the country traveled to Des Moines, Iowa, where Drake University hosted a special event: a journalism camp held by Media Now. All students are welcome, whether they are from Iowa or not, or if they aren’t planning on being a journalist in…

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Soaring High: The Talon’s Journey to Success

Article by Levi Foster Former magazine publisher turned English teacher revives Ankeny High’s journalism program. A few years ago, Ankeny’s journalism program, The Talon, was nonexistent. With only a handful of students in class, the future of the program looked bleak. Now, The Talon is in contention for the 2025 All-Iowa News Team and won…

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Get to know Levi Foster, INA’s newest intern

Please welcome our newest team member, Levi Foster from Ankeny High School. Levi will create content highlighting some of the state’s top high school journalism programs and covering the expansion of journalism among younger generations. Before accepting the internship position at the Iowa Newspaper Association, Levi served on The Talon, Ankeny High School’s news team.…

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Thin skin plagues some officials in Iowa

Randy Evans, executive directorIowa Freedom of Information Council This article is free to use and publish in your publication.  Around the time the famous movie “The Bridges of Madison County” premiered in 1995, author Robert James Waller was at a book-signing in West Des Moines. Between scribbling his signature for fans on copies of his novel,…

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School and state board blunder in major transparency case

Randy Evans, executive directorIowa Freedom of Information Council This article is free to use and publish in your publication.  These are challenging times for Iowa’s 327 public school districts. They are being watched closely by state officials and lawmakers, by parents and by others in the community. These eyes are looking for signs schools are treading…

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Wise school leaders don’t keep public in the dark

Randy Evans, executive directorIowa Freedom of Information Council This article is free to use and publish in your publication.  These days, I stand in front of audiences and engage in what is politely called “public speaking” more often than even Mr. Gentry ever imagined when I showed up at his office door 55 years ago with…

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If Grandma can Zoom, Gov’t should Zoom, too

Randy Evans, Iowa Freedom of Information Council This article is free to use and publish in your publication.  In my day job, I wear the hat of the executive director of the Iowa Freedom of Information Council. This nonprofit, nonpartisan organization has been around for 40+ years.  We advocate on behalf of the public and journalists…

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Governor signs long-sought law on public record fees

Randy Evans, executive directorIowa Freedom of Information Council This article is free to use and publish in your publication.  Gov. Kim Reynolds signed into law Monday a bill that has been on the Iowa Newspaper Association’s “wish list” since 2018. SF 2322 makes important changes in Iowa’s public records law that relate to the fees state…

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Get Iowa COVID updates on this new dashboard

This article is free to use and publish in your publication.  A new website, the product of a collaboration among Iowa newspapers, will serve as a central source of Iowa COVID-19 data. The project is being led by the Iowa Newspaper Association and spearheaded by the Cedar Rapids Gazette, Des Moines Register, Iowa City Daily…

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