Iowa
Out of the spotlight, democracy keeps working for betterment | Opinion
The basic machinery of democracy, for all its flaws, can still produce good decisions when used in good faith.
FIFA World Cup host cities lay out security plans ahead of matches
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The news has felt best to avoid lately. It ranges from “discouraging” to “somehow real life, not the Onion.” And political news is the worst. Washington seems to be drawing from the movie “Idiocracy.” The Iowa Statehouse is no better. More voting restrictions. Less access to healthcare. Required propaganda at the University of Iowa. Another year of failing our schools and our youth. State finances aptly described as “a time bomb.”
These hot messes are real. They are also not the whole story. They are the sexy topics that stir controversy, satisfy donors, and get views. But underneath all the bold type, a shocking amount of work is happening with bipartisan support and following the “regular [legislative] order” that produces good decisions.
To give you a break from the daily doomscroll, here are some good things that happened this session. They remind us that the system can work outside big money and wedge issues.
Let’s start with slavery, euphemistically referred to as “human trafficking” these days. It’s second only to drug dealing in scale, but it’s rarely in the news. Iowa probably has a few hundred people enslaved at any given time. This year, Iowa passed several different bills addressing trafficking. Commercial drivers and child-protective services will be trained to recognize it. Victims now have a bill of rights and will be treated as victims, not as prostitutes, and Iowa is funding services for them. Prosecuting traffickers will be easier, and conviction will have more serious consequences. These are significant improvements.
There are bright spots on civics and government, too. Despite going backward on voting, the Legislature significantly improved our open records and open meetings laws. These changes include much-needed modernization, such as requiring notices to be online and not just on a physical bulletin board. They also crack down on bad-faith practices that have been used to block requests, such as unreasonable fees or labeling reporters as “vexatious requesters.” This is a win for Iowans.
Iowa also moved to shore up our citizens’ lamentable lack of civics knowledge, recognizing a Civics Seal of Excellence for high school graduates and reasonable requirements for graduates of Iowa State University and the University of Northern Iowa to have a basic understanding of America’s history and government. (Their requirements of the UI were not reasonable, but that is a topic for another time.) If only they had funded their mandates.
There are even rays of sunshine amid the gloom of reproductive rights and healthcare laws; minors can now consent to their own care before, during, and after giving birth, and miscarriages and ectopic pregnancies are clearly separated from abortions.
This session had numerous other, solidly positive bills, from modest water quality improvements to making animal torture a felony. The unifying theme among these bills is that they are either boring or address indefensible problems. No one campaigns in favor of nitrate-necessitated water rationing or animal torture. Elected officials want Iowans to know how the government works. Even some anti-choice politicians recognize the need for miscarriage care.
Unfortunately, this practicality breaks down in the face of partisan dogma and wealthy donors. More unfortunately, those partisan issues backed by wealthy donors are often the biggest issues of the day, and Iowa Republicans outdid themselves this year in passing inept and/or vindictive bills to campaign on.
But they aren’t the whole story, and it’s important to focus on the good things, too. They show that the basic machinery of democracy, for all its flaws, can still produce good decisions when used in good faith. It also reminds us that even the people passing the most atrocious, politicized bills aren’t always puppy-kicking cartoon villains. They’re often just people without the moral fiber to resist perverse incentives. And that understanding frames the challenge for us and those we elect in November: how do we change the system so that decency and good work matter more than wealthy donors and partisanship?
Kelcey Patrick-Ferree and Shannon Patrick live in Iowa City and write at www.ourlibertiesweprize.com. And biannual time changes must be abolished.
The Iowa State Cyclones have a completely revamped roster.
After head coach Matt Campbell left along with most of the coaches and several players, it’s clear that Iowa State is in a complete rebuild. Now, their team is full of transfers, with just a few impact returners going into next season.
Obviously, the majority of the Cyclones’ stars left in the transfer portal, but there were a few that decided to stay put for at least another season. And there should be a few that are still able to start next year.
Let’s take a look at three impact returners going into the 2026 season.
Kyle Konrardy
This one is very obvious. Kyle Konrardy is a fan favorite, arguably the best player on the team, and a leader, too.
Admittedly, he does have work to do when it comes to being consistent, but there is no doubt that he shows up in the big moments. When it felt like everyone else had left, Konrardy stayed put, gaining tons of respect from the Iowa State faithful.
The talented kicker is quite the impact returner and has lots on his shoulders going into next season, as he may be one of the faces of the team.
Drew Surges
Drew Surges comes back for another year with the Cyclones, hoping to become a leader as well. Last season, he had 15 tackles and an interception as a safety, some solid numbers without a doubt.
Iowa State brought in star Braden Awls, who was expected to be an impact addition at safety, but unfortunately, he suffered an injury that will keep him out for the entire 2026 season. Surges now needs to step up as the team’s top safety and make things happen on the defensive side of the ball.
Dominic Overby
Dominic Overby isn’t necessarily a key player for the Cyclones, but he certainly will be an impactful one. As a potential third wide receiver, Overby needs to be a consistent option for Iowa State next season.
He has to be a leader in the locker room as well, as the likely two receivers above him, Omari Hayes and Cody Jackson, are both incoming transfers.
If he can help other players learn the ropes while also finding reps for himself, Overby could end up being not only one of the most important receivers on the team, but one of the most important players on the entire offense. Early in the season, his importance will be massive.
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What to know about the 2026 Iowa governor conventions
A detailed look at the coming Republican and Democratic state conventions as candidates Zach Lahn and Rob Sand seek to be Iowa’s next governor.
On June 13, the Iowa Republican and Democratic parties are each holding conventions to affirm their candidates in the race to elect the state’s next governor.
Here’s what Iowans should know as the conventions begin.
What is a political convention?
Iowa holds a convention every two years to nominate candidates for national and statewide offices. At this convention, the candidates officially accept nominations for their candidacy, announce their platform and begin their campaign.
In addition to advancing the race for governor, several chosen members from each party will speak at the event.
Who are Iowa’s governor candidates?
Democrat Rob Sand and Republican Zach Lahn are set to accept their party’s nominations for the gubernatorial race, with each candidate announcing their platform in their acceptance speech.
They earned the nomination with their respective victories in the June primary.
Sand chose Crawford County Supervisor and rural farmer Dave Muhlbauer as his running mate June 8.
On June 11, Lahn chose state Rep. Derek Wulf, a fourth-generation farmer and rancher, as his lieutenant governor pick. Iowans will vote to decide the state’s next governor later this year on Nov. 3.
What is a lieutenant governor?
The lieutenant governor is the second-in-command to the governor and first in the line of succession.
What can Iowans expect from the Republican convention?
The 2026 Iowa Republican Party Convention takes place June 13 at the Horizon Events Center in Clive.Speakers will include U.S. Representative Ashley Hinson, who is running for Sen. Joni Ernst’s seat after Ernst decided not to seek reelection.
Former Iowan Republican Co-Chair David Oman hopes the Iowans who attend the convention will “find something compelling” about Lahn.
“Our nominee is not well-known. I hope (Iowans) take a look at this fresh face, new face, who won the primary,” Oman said. “Have an open mind and spend the next five months learning more.”
Oman hopes Lahn’s victory in the primary will unite the party, starting with the convention.
“The primary we just experienced was grueling in some respects. The question was, ‘Could anybody get a 35%?’ That tells you that the party was looking for, and needed, a candidate that could bring the party together. We need this coming convention.”
What can Iowans expect from the Democratic convention?
The 2026 Iowa Democratic Party Convention will be held at Roosevelt High School this June 11. The doors will open at 9 a.m., with the event expected to begin an hour later. The convention is expected to end around noon.
Speakers include Democratic Party chair Rita Hart, candidate for U.S. Senate Josh Turek and candidate for Secretary of State Ryan Peterman. Hart said she looks forward to “bringing the family together.”
Democratic Party Communications Director Paige Godden said she knows Iowans are excited to meet and hear from Muhlbauer Saturday.
“I know people are really fired up, so that should be definitely one of the highlights,” Godden said.
Hart said she and other candidates have been talking and listening to Iowans’ concerns with the cost of living, one-party control, education and cancer rates. She hopes Iowans can look to Democrats for unity after this convention.
“When people respect one another, no matter what letter is behind their name — that ability to work across the aisle to have good ideas and help those ideas become reality,” Hart said. “That’s how we help everyone in the state of Iowa, and that’s really important to Iowans.”
Veronica Meiss is a news intern for the Des Moines Register. You can contact her at vmeiss@gannett.com.
POLK COUNTY, Iowa (Iowa Capital Dispatch) – Eight months ago, a state licensing board charged an Iowa nurse with multiple regulatory violations, including soliciting or accepting money from a patient. This week, for the first time, the Iowa Board of Nursing publicly disclosed those charges.
The records show the board has charged Abbriel Rae Mitchell, 44, of Roland with five separate regulatory violations: violating patient confidentiality or privacy rights; soliciting, borrowing, or misappropriating money or property from a patient; committing an act that causes physical, emotional or financial injury to a patient; participating in or attempting to initiate a sexual, social or business relationship with a patient; and engaging in behavior that is contradictory to professional decorum.
As is customary with the Board of Nursing, it has publicly disclosed no information as to the alleged conduct that gave rise to the charges or indicated when or where that conduct is alleged to have taken place.
State records indicate the board’s investigation of the matter was initiated in 2024. The charges were formally approved by the board on Oct. 8, 2025, but were made public only this week in the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals and Licensing’s official Notice of Board Action for the month of June 2026.
It’s not clear why the charges were not publicly disclosed last year. In recent months, DIAL has indicated questions about the numerous licensing board errors and lengthy delays in public disclosure of disciplinary charges are best directed to the Iowa Attorney General’s Office. That office has, in turn, referred such questions back to DIAL.
Board records indicate Mitchell was first authorized to work in Iowa as a licensed practical nurse in July 2005.
A hearing on the charges against her is scheduled for Oct. 15, 2026.
Copyright 2026 Iowa Capital Dispatch. All rights reserved.
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