Iowa

Wait, Xi Jinping has an 85-year-old pen pal in Iowa?

Published

2 years ago

January 10, 2024

Press Room

Wait, Xi Jinping has an 85-year-old pen pal in Iowa?

Despite US-China relations being at some of their worst, Xi Jinping apparently has a pen pal in Iowa.
Sarah Lande, 85, met Xi when she hosted him during his first visit to the US nearly 40 years ago.
State media revealed that Xi was still getting letters from Lande in a report on Wednesday.

China’s most powerful man still gets letters from an elderly pen pal in the US Midwest.

The interaction was documented in a Wednesday state media report highlighting Xi Jinping’s thoughts on US-China diplomacy. The focus was on Xi’s words, where he highlighted how both countries have achieved diplomatic victories through the “collective efforts” of their peoples, he said.

But the report also mentions that Xi was responding to a letter sent last week from Sarah Lande. She’s an Iowa resident, 85, who state media described as a “friend of his.”

Lande isn’t just some random American. She and her husband, Roger Lande, are from Muscatine, a small city of 24,000 that Xi visited in 1985.

Three decades before he rose to become China’s top leader, a then-31-year-old Xi visited the state to study agriculture as part of a five-person delegation from Hebei province.

A family in Muscatine hosted Xi in their son’s bedroom, and he befriended the Landes during his trip. Sarah Lande, who, per Chinese state media agency Xinhua, helped coordinate Xi’s visit, appeared to remember him fondly.

“He had a smile that would not stop. He was curious about everything and asked questions about everything,” she said of Xi, according to a Xinhua interview published last year.

Xi visited Iowa once more in 2012, this time during a state visit as China’s vice president. There, he reunited with the Landes at their Victorian home in Muscatine. A year later, he was appointed to China’s top role.

“You were the first group of Americans I came into contact with,” Xi told residents of Muscatine, per state media. “To me, you are America.”

A giant red sign welcoming Xi was on display outside the Landes’ home in 2012.

SHAUN TANDON/AFP via Getty Images

Then, in 2023, Xi arrived in San Francisco in November for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit. He invited the Landes and several other “old friends” from Iowa to dinner.

“This has been a heck of a journey — we can’t figure it out. We don’t even know why he likes us!” Lande said when she received the invitation.

“But we’re eager to meet with him, too. We’re regular, everyday people,” she said.

Xi and Biden walk together during the APEC Summit in San Francisco.

BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP via Getty Images

The pair have exchanged letters before. Xi wrote to Lande in 2022, also talking about ties between their nations and praising Iowa.

“The Chinese and American people are both great people, and our friendship is not only a valuable asset but also an important foundation for the development of bilateral relations,” Xi wrote.

The Chinese leader has recently been trying to bank on the nostalgia of his friendly trip to the US all those years ago.

While speaking to President Joe Biden at the APEC summit, Xi was presented with a photo of his younger self posing in front of the Golden Gate Bridge — which he visited in 1985.

“Do you know this young man?” Biden said, according to a China Foreign Ministry spokesperson’s retelling.

“Oh yes, this was 38 years ago,” Xi said.

Beijing’s foreign delegates promoted the snippet, which went viral on Chinese social media.

Pointing to a photo in his phone with the Golden Gate Bridge in the background, President Biden asked President Xi, “Do you know this young man?” “Oh yes,” said President Xi, “this was 38 years ago.”🌞 pic.twitter.com/r65Em6Z7oS
— Hua Chunying 华春莹 (@SpokespersonCHN) November 16, 2023

The US-China relationship, however, hasn’t been as rosy as Xi and Lande’s. The past year has seen both countries enmeshed in several tense military encounters that have soured relations to some of their worst levels in history.

In February, the US shot down a Chinese surveillance balloon after it flew over US territory. Then, in May, there was a close encounter between a US spy plane and a Chinese jet over the South China Sea.

The US has also sought to curb China’s technological developments when it imposed export controls for the semiconductor industry in October.

Representatives for China’s foreign ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Business Insider sent outside regular business hours.

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Iowa

3 key bills that survived the Iowa funnel deadline — and 2 that didn’t

Published

5 hours ago

March 23, 2026

Press Room

3 key bills that survived the Iowa funnel deadline — and 2 that didn’t

The Iowa Legislature’s 2nd funnel deadline put an expiration date on dozens of bills that failed to advance far enough this session. Here’s a quick rundown:

The Iowa Legislature’s second funnel deadline has passed, closing the door on dozens of proposed bills.

The self-imposed deadline requires bills to have passed one chamber and be approved by a committee in the opposite chamber by March 20 or be relegated to the trash heap.

What Iowa bills missed the cut?

Among the casualties: bills that would have allowed community colleges to offer some four-year degrees and eliminated all school vaccination requirements.

What Iowa bills made the cut?

Other bills remain alive, including legislation restricting the governor’s emergency powers, allowing Iowans to buy ivermectin over the counter without a prescription and limiting tuition increases at Iowa’s public universities.

What big issues are hung up?

Republicans, who control the Iowa House and Senate, have yet to strike deals on two of the top issues of the legislative session: property tax relief and eminent domain restrictions.

“There are some heavy lifts obviously,” Senate Majority Leader Mike Klimesh, R-Spillville, told reporters. “Property taxes, eminent domain conversation, and budgeting.”

What was the fate of dozens of other Iowa bills?

If you’re looking for a more complete list of bills that lived and died, read our exhaustive roundup of education, health care, business, state government and law enforcement and courts legislation.

Portions of this article appeared in the Des Moines Register’s politics newsletter. Don’t miss out. Sign up here.

Marissa Payne covers the Iowa Statehouse and politics for the Register. Reach her by email at mjpayne@registermedia.com. Follow her on X at @marissajpayne.

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Iowa

Iowa Girls High School Basketball: Top Returning Juniors

Published

17 hours ago

March 22, 2026

Press Room

Iowa Girls High School Basketball: Top Returning Juniors

We have officially closed the book on the 2025-26 Iowa girls high school basketball season with the crowning of state champions and individual all-state and player of the year awards being handed out by High School on SI.

Now, we take a sneak peek towards 2026-27 with a look at some of the top junior players in Iowa girls high school basketball. All numbers are from those listed on Bound.

Iowa Girls High School Basketball: Top Returning Juniors

Melina Snoozy, Sioux City Bishop Heelan

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Snoozy was dominant this past winter again, averaging 21.2 points to lead all juniors while adding eight rebounds, three assists and over two steals per game.

Kylee Pexa, Dunkerton

In addition to her 19 points a game, Pexa contributed almost five steals, five assists and 3.5 rebounds a game.

Ainley Ulrich, North Union

Ulrich nearly helped the Warriors reach the state tournament this past year after posting 20 points with five rebounds and 2.4 steals per game.

Izzy Gilbertson, Mount Ayr

At nearly 21 points and over nine rebounds per game, Gilbertson is a tough opponent to slow down. She also blocked four shots a night with 3.6 assists and 3.6 steals.

Maryn Franken, Sioux Center

Franken posted 20 points per game with nearly nine rebounds while also averaging six steals, three assists and a block to her stat line.

Taryn Petersen, Exira-EHK

Petersen was just a shade under 20 points per game for her team, adding in over six steals, five assists and four rebounds.

Cora Sauer, Lake Mills

Lake Mills went as Sauer did, reaching the regional final before falling to Bishop Garrigan. She contributed 19.7 points, six rebounds, almost four steals and just under four assists a game.

Lizzy Frazell, Waverly-Shell Rock

Frazell and the Go-Hawks continue to make a strong statement, as she finished the year averaging 19 points, six rebounds, three assists, three steals and two blocks.

Addy Wolfswinkel, Cherokee Washington

Wolfswinkel recently committed to Omaha to play volleyball, but she is strong on the basketball court as well, averaging 19 points, six rebounds, 3.6 assists and 2.5 steals.

Maggie McChesney, Glenwood

In addition to her 19.5 points per game, McChesney averaged eight rebounds, 3.5 steals, three assists and over a block.

KeaOnna Worley, Cedar Rapids Prairie

Watch out for a big senior season from Worley after producing 18 points, nearly five assists, over four rebounds and two steals.

Graclyn Eastman, Bishop Garrigan

Eastman and the Golden Bears reached the finals this past season in Class 1A, as she averaged 17 points, 10 rebounds, three blocks, three steals and two assists.

Katie Muller, Dowling Catholic

The Maroons will lean heavily on Muller next year, as she steps in for sister Ellie Muller. This past year, she averaged 16.5 points, six rebounds, 3.6 assists and a steal.

Fayth Sullivan, North Polk

Sullivan and the Comets made it back to state after she averaged 16 points, nine rebounds, three steals and three assists.

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Iowa

H-1B visa holders protest Iowa bill to ban them from universities

Published

1 day ago

March 22, 2026

Press Room

H-1B visa holders protest Iowa bill to ban them from universities

A proposed Iowa bill would prohibit public universities from hiring visa holders from certain countries.
Opponents argue the bill would drive away global talent and harm Iowa’s university system.
Proponents of the bill cite national security and the protection of sensitive research as reasons for the restrictions.

Many wore hats and sunglasses and some brought umbrellas to shade themselves from the hot sun as they rallied at the Iowa Capitol in opposition to a bill that would prohibit the hiring of certain visa holders at Iowa’s public universities.

The group of about 150 marched in a circle with signs that read “International scholars build Iowa too,” “Education not discrimination,” and “Strong universities, strong Iowa.”

Iowa State University, the University of Iowa and the University of Northern Iowa, as well as community colleges, would not be able to hire citizens from countries that are designated as foreign adversaries or state sponsors of terrorism under House File 2513. The House passed the bill on March 3 with a 68-27 vote. A Senate subcommittee recommends the bill’s passage.

Faculty members of Iowa State University and the University of Iowa spoke to the crowd at the rally Saturday, March 21 about their experiences as H-1B visa holders and how the bill would affect the university system and Iowa.

Hongwei Zhang, a computer engineering professor at Iowa State since 2017, said in an interview that “by this bill, H-1B visa holders may lose their rights to stay in Iowa. Essentially, families will potentially, starting July 1, have to move out of the state.”

Zengyi Shao, a chemical engineering professor at Iowa State, became a H-1B visa holder after completing her PhD at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in 2009 and later became a U.S. citizen. The process took 17 years, she said, and “many people of Chinese origin who now work in universities and community colleges have followed this same path.”

“If this bill had been in place years ago, I would not have been able to come to Iowa and serve as an educator,” she said to the crowd. Shao has been teaching at Iowa State since 2013.

American flags were flown during the rally, organized by the Chinese Association of Iowa, United Chinese Americans, the Iowa City Area Chinese Association, the Chinese Faculty and Staff of Central Iowa Association, and Iowans for Brighter Future.

“What worries me is it will also push those who are already here, not including many current or even previous H-1B visa holders, to live in other states that are more welcoming,” Shao said. “So if this happens, basically the spirit of Iowa nice will likely become a thing of the past.”

Jie Lie, a researcher at Iowa State University who has lived in Iowa since 2009 and worked at the university since 2011, said the H-1B visa is a “pipeline of global talents for the United States.”

“It’s just trying to put Iowa in a very bad place,” Lie said of the bill.

What is House File 2513? What would it do if passed?

An H-1B visa allows “non-immigrant alien workers” to be hired for “specialty occupations or as fashion models,” according to the U.S. Department of Labor. A “specialty occupation” requires specialized knowledge and a minimum education of a bachelor’s degree, helping employers hire qualified candidates who cannot fulfill the needed skills and abilities of the U.S. workforce.

Having an H-1B visa allows for the temporary employment of qualified candidates who may not otherwise be authorized to work in the United States.

Under HF 2513, even those who hold a valid H-1B visa would be prohibited from entering into an employment contract if they come from countries identified as foreign adversaries or as state sponsors of terrorism, including China, North Korea, Iran, Syria, Russia and Venezuela. If passed, it would take effect July 1.

During floor debate, Rep. Skyler Wheeler, R-Hull, said that “our universities are for Americans and Americans first.”

“This bill enhances national security and protects sensitive research at Iowa’s public universities by preventing potential risks from espionage or intellectual property theft associated with hires from adversarial nations such as China, aligning with broader U.S. concerns over foreign influence in academia while prioritizing American or allied talent,” Wheeler said.

There are about 120 employees through the H-1B visa program at Iowa’s state universities, according to the Iowa Board of Regents.

“If this bill passes, our jobs are gone,” said Emily Gao, an assistant teaching professor of architecture at Iowa State and an H-1B visa holder.

Iowa would join Texas, Florida in H-1B hiring halt

Iowa isn’t the first state to eye restrictions on hiring employees through the H-1B visa program.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott on Jan. 27 called for the freeze of new H-1B petitions at all Texas state agencies and universities, as well as a review of the current H-1B visa program “abuse.”

The Florida Board of Governors, which oversees the state’s university system, approved a one-year ban on hiring through the H-1B visa program on March 2.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said in a social media post in October universities across the nation are “importing foreign workers on H-1B visas instead of hiring Americans who are qualified and available to do the job.”

Iowa’s restrictions on H-1B visa hiring would follow President Donald Trump’s restrictions on the visa holders, unveiled in September, that decried the “large-scale replacement of American workers” and “systemic abuse” of the H-1B program and lamented the growth in the foreign share of the workforce in computer and math occupations.

The Iowa Capital Dispatch contributed to this report.

Kyle Werner is the breaking news and public safety reporter for the Register. Reach him at kwerner@registermedia.com.

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