Iowa
‘By no means was I intentionally being racist’: Iowa child services worker speaks out after firing
CHARLOTTE, Iowa (IOWA CAPITAL DISPATCH) – A child-services worker alleges she was fired from her job and accused of racist behavior after playing “cowboys and Indians” with the children in her care.
State records indicate that in 2025, Lisa Bartels of Charlotte worked with autistic children on their social and behavioral skills while employed as a registered behavior technician for Beyond Behavior Applied Behavior Analysis, an organization that provides support services for families throughout Iowa.
The records indicate that on July 3, 2025, Bartels was disciplined for playing the game “cowboys and Indians” with the children at Beyond Behavior. On Aug. 14, 2025, Bartels was allegedly disciplined a second time, in that instance for singing the nursery rhyme “One Little, Two Little, Three Little Indians” with the children.
According to Bartels, her superiors at Beyond Behavior considered the game and the nursery rhyme to be “racist” in nature, presumably because the word “Indian” was being used to describe Native Americans.
On Oct. 13, 2025, Bartels was having a private conversation with a co-worker about their pets when she referred to her own dog as “retarded.” An employee allegedly complained to management about Bartels’ use of the word, and Bartels was fired two days later for violating the organization’s code of conduct by using unprofessional language.
Bartels applied for unemployment benefits, which led to a Feb. 3, 2026, hearing before Administrative Law Judge Stephanie Adkisson.
In a recent ruling, Adkisson concluded Bartels was disqualified from collecting benefits due to job-related misconduct, in part for having “used an offensive word” in describing her dog.
“Given the type of work she performed, she knew or should have known that the use of the word is unacceptable,” Adkisson stated in her ruling. “The fact that (she) did not use the word to refer to a person does not change that fact that she should have been aware it was a word that others would find offensive.”
Adkisson observed that Bartels “had received two prior warnings regarding using offensive words. (Bartels) knew she needed to be aware of her use of language and that her job was in jeopardy. Despite these warnings, (she) continued to engage in the use of offensive language.”
Bartels said Wednesday her actions last summer weren’t motivated by racism.
“By no means was I intentionally being racist,” she said. “My daughter has American Indian blood running through her. Her father was part American Indian and the man I’m dating now is American Indian. He has a tattoo of Sitting Bull on his right arm.”
Describing herself as a Christian conservative, she said that after the shooting death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk last fall, she wore red to work in honor of Kirk, but added that she “would not dare share that with my place of employment for fear of being reprimanded for it.”
No one from Beyond Behavior participated in Bartels’ unemployment hearing, and Alyssa Hennings, the organization’s CEO, declined to comment on the case Wednesday. She referred the Iowa Capital Dispatch to the organization’s human resources department. No one who identified themselves as being from the department responded to the news organization’s inquiry Wednesday afternoon.
Copyright 2026 KCRG. All rights reserved.
See the 2025 Des Moines Register Essential Restaurants
What are the best restaurants in Des Moines? These entries from the Des Moines Register’s Essential Restaurants list won’t let you down.
You know that viral mac and cheese place? The one that slathers every bowl with ungodly amounts of cheese? The one that makes you feel lactose intolerant just looking at it?
Yeah. Roni’s Mac Bar is opening its second Iowa location, this time in Waukee.
The store will celebrate with a grand opening on Saturday, May 16 at 10:30 a.m. sharp
In a video on social media, the company credits the new location choice to the Waukee man who drove to a location in Waco, Texas, asked for a bowl so cheesy that the chef making it felt lactose-intolerant just looking at it.
Frank Senese, chief executive officer of Roni’s Mac and Cheese, said the business as the “Chipotle of mac and cheese.”
“It’s comfort food; whether you’re a hungover college kid, tattooed biker or a little princess in a tutu, you’re going to find something here that you’ll love,” Senese told the Ames Tribune before the company’s restaurant opened there in 2025. “It’s a fun way to think outside the box.”
The first 100 people to get in line can spin the wheel for a chance to win giveaways and a year’s worth of mac and cheese.
Roni’s Mac bar boasts massive menu
The quote, “Think outside the box” is painted on the wall inside the mac and cheese bar, and the menu certainly inspires customers to do just that.
Roni’s Mac Bar has created a menu of more than 77 million possible combinations that continues to grow, Senese said.
Every bowl can be unique, with drizzles like pesto and ranch, and toppings such as tomatoes and even pineapple − a topping that can be a key indicator of a repeat customer, Senese said.
Where to find Roni’s Mac Bar in Waukee
- Location: 1195 SE Alice’s Road, Waukee
- Contact: 515-450-2497, ronismacbar.com
- Hours: 10:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. daily starting May 16
Lucia Cheng is a service and trending reporter at the Des Moines Register. Contact her at lcheng@gannett.com or 515-284-8132.
MADISON, Wis. (WMTV) – Four people were arrested during two separate traffic stops by the Iowa County Sheriff’s Office on Thursday.
The sheriff’s office explained that just before 8:30 p.m., an Iowa County Sheriff’s Office deputy stopped a vehicle in the 7000 block of US Highway 18-151 in the Town of Ridgeway.
Lee J. Kaul, 47, of Ridgeway was arrested for operating while revoked (REV due to alcohol/controlled substance/refusal), possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of narcotic drug.
Kaul was additionally held on a Wisconsin Department of Corrections probation hold and transported to the Iowa County Jail.
About an hour later, another Iowa County deputy stopped a vehicle near US Highway 18 and Lisa Street in the City of Dodgeville, the sheriff’s said.
The sheriff’s office explained three people were arrested for possession of drug paraphernalia to manufacture/compound/convert/produce/store methamphetamine.
Ronald E. Slater, 56, of Platteville, Rayven E. Stanisch, 30, of Linden and Amy M. Gregory, 38, of Linden were all taken to the Iowa County Jail.
Gregory was also held on a Wisconsin Department of Corrections probation hold.
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Copyright 2026 WMTV. All rights reserved.
The Iowa City Community Band (ICCB) returns this summer with performances throughout Iowa City and Coralville in June and July. Now in its 43rd season, ICCB is proud to once again be led by Rob Medd, a retired band director from Iowa City West High School, for the 19th year.
We perform nine times, including Coralville’s 4thFest Parade and pre-fireworks show. Our first three concerts are:
- 12 noon, Saturday, June 6 at the Iowa Arts Festival in downtown Iowa City
- 7 p.m., Wednesday, June 10 at McPherson Park
- 7 p.m., Sunday, June 14 at Fairmeadows Park
Each concert features a combination of traditional marches, contemporary pieces, and some familiar classics. For a full concert schedule, visit our Facebook page (www.facebook.com/ICCBand).
Rehearsals are held on Saturdays at 10 a.m. (May 30 through July 18, excluding June 6 and July 4) at West High School. New members — high school age and older — are welcome throughout the summer, with no audition required. Because new music is introduced each week, participation is flexible and ideal for those who can only join for part of the season. If you are interested in participating or learning more, send an email to iccb.communityband@gmail.com.
ICCB operates solely on donations from individuals and local businesses to provide free concerts to the public.
If you would like to contribute, send your donation to: Iowa City Community Band – c/o West Music, 1212 5th Street, Coralville, IA 52241. Make checks payable to “Iowa City Community Band”.
The Iowa City Community Band is ready for a great summer of making music together. We hope that you’ll join us often, either as a musician or an audience member. See you at the park.
April Donlon serves as the publicist and plays Alto Saxophone for the Iowa City Community Band.
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