I’m relatively new to the state and until recently have not gone outside the town I moved to. I’m now noticing people occasionally wave when passing me on the roads between farms. Is that just random people acknowledging another driver or is there something I should know about that?

https://imgur.com/gallery/iYrkAPq

I'm butting into your state subreddit to plead with you to reach out to your senators.

Online petitions are not enough! Call the U.S. Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121 and ask the operator to connect you to your senators.

They need to hear from you (see where your senators sit on the issue of Senate Majority Leader here:  https://www.recordcongress.org). I have included the letter I sent to my Senator.

The Honorable Angus S. King, Jr. United States Senate 133 Hart Senate Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510

Senator King, 

I am writing this to urge you to reconsider your support for Chuck Schumer as Senate Majority Leader. Your quote about him winning the World Series is an insult to all of the hard work that was done by grassroots groups despite Schumer's meddling in the open primaries to push forward his preferred establishment candidates like Janet Mills.

The majority of the Democrats who won did so with hard work long before Schumer threw in his influence and DCSS money. He bet on horses who were already in the lead like Scott Colom and ignored potential wins like Angie Nixon due to donor bias. He dragged Sherrod Brown out of retirement, rather than trusting the local support for the young, fresh Ohio Democrats headed to the primary. 

Thanks to the work and enthusiasm of countless volunteers, we had historic results across America. Now, to build on this blue wave, we need someone who will whip for votes that the people want, not only the votes that are palatable to donors. 

This is a watershed moment. We have so many people who have gotten involved in the democratic process for the first time in their lives. We need to demonstrate that those voters matter by not sticking with the status quo.

Leadership is not some reward we bestow for past performance. For that we can give a plaque and an engraved watch. Senate leadership should be given to a person who can envision, outline and guide us towards a new future based on the will of voters. 

In short, we need new leadership that cares about our democracy more than power and believes in a democratic approach - listening to what the voters want, not pushing to maintain leadership like it should be a foregone conclusion, even trying to move the vote up to manipulate a win.

We need energy and change that can make 2028 into an election that will bring America back to being the country we all deserve. 

The person with the experience and passion to do that for the Senate is Chris Van Hollen. I ask that you support him on my behalf.

Respectfully,

RustyDogma Portland, Maine

Can someone please help me with a good place to take my deer to have processed? We would like snack sausage and jerky made up. We hunt in Kahoka Mo so we’re looking for a places within35-45 minutes away. Thank you!

Broadway and Main Street in Emmetsburg

"Where a love of natural beauty has been cultivated, all nature becomes a stupendous gallery." - Horace Mann

Hi!

I am trying to start up a local tea club for meet ups. I'd love it if you'd like to join and invite other tea friends!

It's free! Just trying to grow the tea community around here, make tea friends, and create a social circle for tea lovers

https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1FyeCASygv/

I am only posting this because we must stay on top of all the newly elected officials, including Sand, about the things they were elected to deal with.

As to Rob Sand, rumors abound that he intends to keep Kayla Lyon as DNR director. I don’t know Lyon, but I know that she has been a willing participant in the disgraceful bureaucratic gymnastics that flipped several Iowa rivers off the impaired list for nitrate. This includes the Raccoon and Des Moines Rivers that supply drinking water to the Des Moines metro, and the Cedar and Iowa Rivers mentioned here. Removing these rivers from the list potentially opens them up to new or increased point source discharges of nitrate, which will further degrade them. This is something that big meat packing and agribusiness interests crave.

I will struggle to believe Sand is a serious person on water quality and environment if Lyon is to be part of his administration. Sand explicitly said he’s a Democrat because the party’s positions were better on water. I could rattle off a long list of D pols that I’ve heard complain our bad water is because of Republican bad faith and recalcitrance on the issue. If Democrats are indeed the party of clean water, then when in power, we deserve a DNR director that will zealously protect the meager amount of natural resources available to us as citizens. Lyon’s willful collaboration with Donald Trump’s EPA on delisting the most nitrate-polluted rivers in North America should be disqualifying for any Democratic administration, and Iowa Democrats should demand better. Sand should, after all, represent us too, especially considering he used the party to get elected.

One option, resign before Rob Sands becomes governor. Grandson Pat, speaker of the Iowa House famous for upholding a dress code that requires ties, jackets, and forbids jeans of any color, is appointed as his successor. Option 2, stay in office push through as many federal judge nominations as possible before 1/3/27, risking a democratic successor if his health fails. I think he chooses option 2. One more democratic Senator doesn’t mean much. He fancies the legacy of supporting Trump to the end. What do you think?

The Iowa Ethics and Campaign Disclosure Board has accepted my complaint against Rep. Jeff Shipley's committee, case 26-FC-00001315, and ordered a formal investigation.

The Board found the complaint legally sufficient on both counts: the $15,270 in campaign funds paid to the Health Research Institute, under Iowa Code 68A.303 (conditions placed on transferred campaign funds) and 68A.302 (personal benefit). In the Board's words, Shipley's role as the study's lead author and primary financier raises "a legitimate question" of direct financial benefit.

Board staff will now investigate whether probable cause exists, and they can subpoena records and testimony. Acceptance is not a finding that he broke the law. It means the Board read the complaint and the filings and opened a case.

The order is public. My write-up with the full details is here: https://filingcabinetpolitics.substack.com/p/the-ethics-board-has-accepted-the

It is very rare that an artifact can be tied to a specific person. This is from the archaeological collections of Plum Grove, the Iowa City home of Gov. Robert Lucas. It is an 1883 Ladies of the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) medal found in the back yard of the house in 1998 during UI excavations.

This artifact was almost certainly owned by Katherine Switzer, 1850-1928, who lived at Plum Grove 1883-1923. She was a charter member of the Women’s Relief Corps of the GAR. Her husband, Jacob Switzer, was a wounded Civil War veteran. He led the Iowa City GAR post for many years.

I think it's a great piece of history, and I just wanted to share it.

On December 3, 2025, at 12:18 p.m., the State of Iowa emailed me a countersigned agreement for my Festivus pole. The events coordinator said she’d meet me in the Capitol rotunda at 9 a.m. on December 23.

At 5:21 p.m., the same office wrote back: “Upon further review your request is denied.”

I asked why. They sent me the director’s email address.

That came after three months of doing it by the book. I committed to an attendee when they told me unattended displays were banned, and I sent the artwork when they asked for it. I also asked what policy they use to review artwork, and nobody answered that one. They had the art for five weeks before they signed.

On November 2, a federal judge ordered Iowa to let The Satanic Temple into that same rotunda on December 12. Iowa’s reason for keeping them out was that a Krampus costume contest would harm children.

So at 6:34 this morning I filed Application CRI56 for the west side of the rotunda on December 11, the day before the Temple. The art is above: a six-foot column of Contemptivus cans, held up by a winking Jesus in a rainbow robe, with a heart on top reading “Don + Jeff” in honor of our Ohio and Wisconsin poles. In his other hand he’s holding a rosary. The application says so, and it says the whole thing is a holiday ode to President Donald J. Trump.

If Iowa says yes, I’ll fly to Des Moines and stand next to Jesus for three hours. If Iowa says no, I’ll sue, and their own emails will be Exhibit 1.

Signed Consentivus and Contemptivus cans.

It’s an army of one, and the army runs on you.

Every dollar goes to this fight and the next one.

Give $50 or more and I’ll send you a signed Consentivus can.

Give $100 or more and I’ll send you both!

Iowa says it usually answers within one to three business days. Last year it took them five hours to change their minds. I’m counting.

Satan loves you baby.

Woof. I can type now that this election erection is finally calming down.

Democrats won the House and Senate. Republicans went into this election controlling Washington and came out losing both chambers of Congress.

And Iowa? Look at all the winning. Trump was so winning.

• Rob Sand won the governor’s race.

• Josh Turek defeated Ashley Hinson for U.S. Senate.

• Christina Bohannan, Lindsay James, and Sarah Trone Garriott won, giving Democrats three of Iowa’s four congressional seats.

• Brenna Bird lost to Nate Willems.

For a party that treated Iowa like permanent Republican property, that’s a hell of an eviction notice.

There’s still work to do. Republicans retained the Iowa House and Senate, although they lost their House supermajority. Winning the governor’s office doesn’t automatically fix the legislature.

My read? People have limits. You can only tell them everything is wonderful so many times before they look at their bills and ask who the hell you’re talking to.

And Iowa Republicans own their choices. Nobody forced them to attach themselves to every decision coming out of Washington and sell it back home as good leadership.

Now Democrats need to deliver. People need affordable lives, functioning government, and public officials who can answer a question without finding a minority group to blame.

The hopeful part is that power can still change hands. Even here.

UL gas has dropped .50c. That's nice and a good start.

p.s. fuck Chuck Grassley.
p.p.s. the "that's AI people" are sensitive because they were involuntarily artificially inseminated anally.

p.p.p.s. I see a lot of these dumb assholes doubling down and falling back on the comfort of the hateful things that lost them the election. Good. Stay shitty. See how it works out.

A humbled and heartfelt thanks to all who were able to join artist Steven Maeck on his final sculpture park tour in Burr Oak.

“I always imagined him escaping…somehow.” - Steve on common artistic depictions of the Martyrdom of St. Sebastian, which inspired his own work, The Flight of St. Sebastian.

It is definitely starting to cool off outside but there are a lot of fun activities going on in central Iowa this weekend! Add anything you would like to share in the comments!

Community Events:

Des Moines Underground Film Festival Sun at Varsity Cinema

Festa Cultural Sat at Seeds in the East Village

Iowa's Largest Arts and Crafts Show Fri-Sun at the State Fairgrounds

Iowa Reptile Show Sun at WDM Hilton Garden Inn

Free Dental Clinic Fri at the Iowa State Fairgrounds

LGBTQ+ Adult Prom Sat at Bash Events

Prism Tabletop Club LGBTQ+ Game Night Sun at Rook Room

1900 Farm Dinners at Living History Farms

Triskaideka Dinners Fri-Sat at Living History Farms

Flynn Mansion Teas at Living History Farms

Meet and Play Social Game Night Thurs at Rook Room

Mahjong Open Play Fri at the Rook Room

Uno Tournament Fri at Smash Park

Iowa Culinary Institute's Fall Bistro Fri at Ankeny DMACC

Trivia Night Thurs at Blank Park Zoo

Trivia Night Thurs at Iowa Distilling Company

Trivia Thurs at The Kee

Trivia Thurs at Mickey's Waukee

Trivia Night at The Royal Mile Thurs

Concert Karaoke at AJ's on Court

Karaoke Fridays at Mickey's Waukee

Barn Town Pickle Palooza

The Great Hut Heist Fri at Cheba Hut

Wild Soul Book Club Fri at Mainframe Studios

Old Tavern Speakeasy Night Fri at Confluence

Community Baby Shower Sat at Drake University

Mindful Yoga With a View Sat at Easter Lake Event Center

Pilates and Pins Sat at Spare Time

Beginner Basket Weaving Workshop Sat at Jester Park Nature Center

Cocoa Crawl Sat in Winterset

Poetry on the Prairie Sat in Perry

2000s Sing Along Brunch and Music Bingo Sun at Smash Park

Turkey Time Family Glow Bowling Party Sun at Warrior Lanes

Sunday Funday Bingo at Mickey's Waukee

Sourdough 101 Class Sun at Iowa Distilling

Holiday Events:

Beaverdale Holiday Boutique Fri at Holy Trinity Catholic School

Holiday Pop up at Rock River Grill DM Marriott

Jingle Bell Junction Pop Up at Gilroy's

SnowGlobe 2026 at Exile Brewing

Tinsel at Either/Or

A Very Merry Big Grove at Big Grove Brewing

Dome for the Holidays Sat at Des Moines Botanical Garden

Santa's Holiday Escape at Des Moines Marriott

Christmas With a Cause Sat at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church

Holiday Maker's Market Sat at Glad Tidings Assembly of God

Junk Jubilee Jingles Fri-Sat at the State Fairgrounds

Holiday Sip and Shop Sun at Des Moines Heritage Center

Arts/Music/Dance/Comedy/Theater:

DSM Gamer Symphony Honor Orchestra Concert Sat at Urbandale HS

Fall Swing Dance Fri at Valley Junction Activity Center

Studio 3 Live: Celtic Christmas Fri at Iowa PBS Studios

Social Saturday: Friendsgiving at Des Moines Art Center

Artists on Fire Exhibit at Des Moines Art Center

Elle Perez: La Despedida Exhibit at Des Moines Art Center

Let Us Gather in A Flourishing Way Exhibit at the Des Moines Art Center

Journeys of Life Exhibition at Drake's Anderson Art Gallery

Queen of the Night Remembering Whitney Houston at the Ingersoll Thurs and Fri

Paint and Sip at El Presidente in Ankeny Thurs

Kids Color Pencil Animals Class Sun at Hoyt Sherman

To All The Books Documentary Screening Thurs at Varsity Cinema

POTUS Play Fri-Sun at Tallgrass Theatre Company

The Princess and the Pea Play at the Des Moines Community Playhouse

Something Rotten Jr. Musical at CAP Theatre

Harry Potter and Cursed Child Play Thurs-Sun at Des Moines Roosevelt HS

Cinderella Musical at Southeast Polk High School

Dinner Detective Murder Mystery Show Sat at Embassy Suites

Comedy Open Mic Thurs at The Ridgemont

Comedy Night Sat at Sherwood Forest

Runaway Twain and Friends Improv Comedy Show Sun at Des Moines Community Playhouse

Damon Darling Comedy Thurs at the Funny Bone

Natalie Cuomo Comedy Fri at the Funny Bone

AJ Wilkerson Comedy Sat at the Funny Bone

Derrick Troup Comedy Sat at Hoyt Sherman Place

Sports and Outdoors:

Iowa Men's Basketball vs. Creighton Sun at the Casey's Center

Drake Women's Soccer vs. Murray State Thurs at Mediacom Stadium

Drake Men's Basketball vs. South Dakota Fri at the Knapp Center

Grand View Wrestling Grand View Open

Iowa Wild Hockey vs. Grand Rapids Fri and Sat at the Casey's Center

Drake Hockey vs. Iowa State Fri at the RecPlex

Des Moines Buccaneers Hockey vs. Dubuque Fri at the RecPlex

Dinner in the Greenhouse Fri at City of DSM Greenhouse

Fall Night Hike Fri at Thomas Mitchell Park

Empeiria Sauna House Sat at Water Works Park

Nature Mobiles at Jester Park Nature Center

Indoor Kayaking Sun at Trail Point Aquatic Center

Live Music List below from DSM at Dawn:

Thursday

CeCe Stewart | 5 | Chamberlain Pub
Chris Falcon | 6 | Confluence Brewing
Crayola Oblingata | 6 | Greenwood Lounge
Jesse & The Medicine Men | 6 | Poncho's
Anne Lorelle | 6:30 | Polk County Heritage Gallery
Organ Fairchild w/ Johnny Novacaine | 7 | xBk Live
Natalie Simon | 7 | Noce
Austin Brown Trio | 7 | Court Avenue Brewing
Rock Jam | 7 | 1833 Saloon
Tightwire, Canadian Rifle & LAMP | 7 | Locals Bar & Stage
Open Jam | 7 | Kenny's Garage
Brian Herrin | 7 | Board & Batten
Queen of the Night: Remembering Whitney | 7:30 | The Ingersoll
Brandi Carlile | 8 | Civic Center
Scott Bradlee's Postmodern Jukebox | 8 | Hoyt Sherman Place
Scott Eggleston | 8 | Greenwood Lounge
MFKS | 8 | Confidence Speakeasy
Triple J's | 9 | Yacht Club
Jordan Beem | 9 | Shotgun Betty's

Friday

Piano Man Richard Spierenburg | 11am | Skywalk Local Bites
Taylor King | 4 | Prairie Meadows
Bob Pace & The Dangerous Band | 5 | Greenwood Lounge
Allie Crummy, Day Ashworth & Brad & The Big Wave | 6 | Strychnine
The Juan & Only | 6 | Toreado
Out of the Box | 6 | Middlebrook Mercantile
Claudia Coltrain | 6 | Iowa Distilling Co.
Lily DeTaeye w/ Rutabaga | 7 | Temple Theater
Big Shot: Max Wellman Plays Billy Joel | 7 | Noce
The Remedy | 7 | Captain Roy's
The Drama Kings | 7 | Kelly's Little Nipper
When The Sun Sets | 7 | Locals Bar & Stage
On The Rocks | 7 | Shotgun Betty's
Jake Schrodt | 7 | Fireside Grill
Larry Fleet | 7:30 | Hoyt Sherman Place
Queen of the Night: Remembering Whitney | 7:30 | The Ingersoll
Boogie T | 8 | Wooly's
Goldpine | 8 | xBk Live
Indivisible Band | 8 | Miss Kitty's
Cover That | 8 | Doc's Lounge
Burnin' Sensations | 8 | Back Roads Lounge
Suede | 8 | Kenny's Garage
Scott Kirkhart | 8 | Brick & Ivy
Jake McVey | 8 | Prairie Meadows
The High Bidders | 9 | Greenwood Lounge
Columbia House Covers | 9 | Yacht Club
After Hours | 9:30 | Noce

Saturday

Crossroads: A Journey with the Blues w/ Scott Eggleston | 2 | Central Library
Saints & Sinners | 4 | Revelton Distilling
John Beere & Stranger Than Paradise | 5 | Strychnine
South Dallas County Crewcut Cowboy Band w/ Bob Pace | 6 | xBk Live
The Ripoffs | 6 | Middlebrook Mercantile
Crystal Blue | 6 | Lake Robbins Ballroom
Joshua Sinclair | 6:30 | Brightside Aleworks
Marquis Hill | 7 | Noce
Silversonic | 7 | Captain Roy's
Kevin Gordon | 7 | Maggie's Rumble Room
Discontent, Ethic, Streets of Hate & Disfigurement | 7 | Locals Bar & Stage
Salt Creek | 7 | Croatian Slavic Center
Tim & Jana West | 7 | Shirley's Bar & Grill
BS & The Liars | 7 | Doc's Lounge
The Weary Ramblers | 7:30 | The Ingersoll
Peter Mayer | 7:30 | First Unitarian Church
The Prince Experience | 8 | Val Air Ballroom
Neva Alden | 8 | Marv's Mainstreet Dive
Count It Off | 8 | Back Roads Lounge
HardWay | 8 | Kenny's Garage
Mancat | 8 | The Kee
Jeff Banks Band | 9 | Greenwood Lounge
Brian Congdon | 9 | Striking Sparrow
The Squares w/ La Cerca & Pie Day | 9:30 | Strychnine
Last Call w/ Max Wellman | 9:30 | Noce

Sunday

Ducharme-Jones Band | 2 | Middlebrook Mercantile
Musical Feast II: KFMG Fundraiser | 3 | xBk Live
Yubu | 4 | Greenwood Lounge
Barefoot Becky | 5 | Lake Robbins Ballroom
Maxwell Schaeffer & Friends | 6 | xBk Annex
Jazz Night | 8 | The Contrary

My boyfriend and I moved here a few months ago. We’ve gone out to some of the restaurants. But is there anywhere other young adults like to go? Even if it’s like half an hour away.

(We’re from PA. both 24 years old. like football, art, xbox, engineering, biology, fishing and nature. also have a toy poodle)