Lyle Muller

We’re rapidly running out of news we can trust But all is not lost. Yet.

“American journalism is under strain. Ownership consolidation, political pressure and costly litigation are real threats. But the situation is not hopeless.”
open.substack.com/pub/davebusi...

An Editorial: Silencing the press The American Taliban aims to starve the beast

“Eliminating legal notice revenue will kill a third to a half of the state’s newspapers — nearly all in rural communities like ours. Legislators know it. That’s why they’re doing it. They call a free press ‘the enemy of the people.’”
open.substack.com/pub/artculle...

Coralville to remove license plate reader cameras Move follows policy complaint from

Coralville, Iowa, will remove license plate reader cameras in light of privacy concerns but also a state AG desire to use the cameras for the US immigration crackdown.

Dueling with everyone's God in This Country Conservative leaders say they are glad Christians guide Donald Trump in the White House, so where is the compassion Jesus preaches?

Dueling with everyone's God in This Country

There is not just one acceptable way to think or act or speak or read Our differences, and our acceptance of those differences, makes the U.S. special

Excellent look at American values, and the flag.

UI Center for Intellectual Freedom seeks additional funding after postponing classes After postponing classes from January due to a lack of student interest and scheduling issues, the University of Iowa Center for Intellectual Freedom is seeking more funding for future development. Io...

Low interest exists in the Iowa Legislature's darling project at the University of Iowa so the project is...act surprised...seeking more money.

‘This is my ’80s’: As Trump’s tariffs upend trade, farmers endure instability - Investigate Midwest April Hemmes began farming soybeans in Iowa in the mid-1980s, just as the agricultural economy was in crisis and many farms were lost. Now, when she speaks to her younger peers, she hears a common ref...

‘This is my ’80s’: As Trump’s tariffs upend trade, farmers endure instability investigatemidwest.org/2026/02/20/t...

Sustainability efforts unfold on Grinnell College campus As Grinnell College works toward its goal of carbon neutrality by 2040, sustainability efforts are unfolding both on and off campus.  Environmental and Safety Manager Chris Bair said that a four-megaw...

Sustainability efforts unfold on Grinnell College campus thesandb.com?p=54754

A reminder that fake voter fraud and false claims of election rigging were always the plan. Here’s a direct message from Assange to Don Jr way back in 2016.

Grinnell College men's basketball is still wildly different from the norm, but it's also now a champion The Pioneers take "The System" into the Midwest Conference postseason tournament this week with a shiny 20-3 record

Good story about the usual run-and-gun Grinnell College men’s basketball team.

Students, residents mobilize against proposed anti-trans bills With the recent push of anti-LGBTQ+ legislation in Iowa, several students have expressed concerns over safety within the town of Grinnell.  Amidst these legislation pushes, Mayor Sam Cox said she does...

Anti-trans laws have some Iowa young adults concerned about their safety. From the Grinnell College Scarlet & Black.

Meet two Grinnellians who have competed at the Olympic Games Five known Grinnell College students and alumni have had the chance to compete on the world’s biggest athletic stage — the Olympic Games.  Starting at the London 1908 Summer Olympics, Grinnell Olympia...

Two people connected to Grinnell College have competed in the Olympics.
thesandb.com/54756/sports...

Justice should be blind – not branded A travesty at Justice

Another brick in the wall. From @davebusiek.bsky.social

Iowa’s “Silent Six” Congressional Delegation Must Follow the Constitution, Not the Authoritarian Outlaw Trump Supreme Court ruling aginst Trump's tariffs also hands delegation some big new political vulnerabilities they'll need to defend in 2026 campaign

The Iowa congressional delegation response to the SUPCO tariff ruling has been, being nice here, interesting. Shows Congress needs to be more involved, they say? Well, yeah…sort of. Nice analysis by Barry Piatt.
open.substack.com/pub/piatt/p/...

Records: Texan killed by ICE months before Minneapolis woman The involvement of federal immigration agents in the fatal shooting of Ruben Ray Martinez on South Padre Island in March had not been disclosed in initial reports.

It is not just Minneapolis, for those willing to write off what happened there as a Minnesota thing.
www.texastribune.org/2026/02/20/t...

Bill purging affirmative action laws advances, library restrictions stall • Iowa Capital Dispatch The committee approved several measures in their final meeting before the first "funnel" deadline of the 2026 session.

Here is what is happening in the formerly enlightened, pacemaking Iowa.
iowacapitaldispatch.com/2026/02/19/b...

“I call myself a Republican, but this is not about politics; this is about money, about the almighty dollar,” said Bill Billings, a resident of Red Oak, Iowa, who was diagnosed with cancer in 2024.

I swear, this guy is putting comedians out of business.

This story includes an interactive map showing the cancer rate where you live, no matter which U.S. county. Also, a map showing pesticide use. Handy for that reason alone. investigatemidwest.org/2026/02/18/p...

Bored of Peace

Federal judge accuses Trump administration of 'terror' against immigrants in scathing ruling A federal judge has accused the Trump administration of terrorizing immigrants and recklessly violating the law in its efforts to deport millions of people living in the country illegally.

A federal judge has accused the Trump administration of terrorizing immigrants and recklessly violating the law in its efforts to deport millions of people living in the country illegally.

Kinda weird that the party that controls the House, the Senate, and the White House claims there's rampant voter fraud.

Pesticide use and cancer risk rise together across America’s heartland - Investigate Midwest Increasingly, pesticides are being blamed for rising cancer rates across America’s agricultural communities.  Hardin County, home to around 800 farms, has a pesticide use rate more than four times the...

Pesticide use and cancer risk are on the same growth path in Iowa and other Midwest states. Must read.

"Immigrants are Welcome Here" Iowa is home...

Another public showing of support for Iowa immigrants.

Which America do we want to be? 3 statistics to help decide: 40% of arrests, 3 million pages, and 1,575 defendants At least for a moment, let's hear it for the enduring power of rigorous fact over the never-ending flood of opinion.

Three good questions.

Pesticide use and cancer risk rise together across America’s heartland - Investigate Midwest Increasingly, pesticides are being blamed for rising cancer rates across America’s agricultural communities.  Hardin County, home to around 800 farms, has a pesticide use rate more than four times the...

Bombshell report from @investigatemidwest.bsky.social on cancer rates in lowa, the Midwest. “Hardin County, home to around 800 farms, has a pesticide use rate more than four times the national average and a cancer rate among the highest in the state.”
And, there is more.

YouTube video by The Scarlet & Black What do students think about their Marriage Pact match?

College students talk about the mixed results of a shits-and-giggles marriage match thing on campus.

If they don't stop mid-section, from behind

Spoken with authority.

You should want to know what your local governments are doing with your tax dollars and public policy. Keep track of them with this: www.iowapublicnotices.com/(S(pcqbmboze...