Gage

It’s become a meaningful tradition to start Veterans Day with meeting my dad for the Marion Hy-Vee Veterans Breakfast.

I’m grateful for his service and for all the veterans and active duty members in Marion who continue to shape this community with their leadership. Thank you all for your service.

Update: My colleagues on the city council and I have given direction to move forward with this. City staff will provide more details about how we can maximize our impact, but we will be allocating between $10k to $20k.

Official vote will be at next council meetings later this month.

Marion City Council to Discuss Support for Local Food Pantries Added challenge of SNAP delays increases the need for residents during food pantries' busiest season.

The Marion City Council will discuss supporting local food pantries during this Thursday’s meeting.

With food pantries’ busiest months approaching plus the added challenge of SNAP delays, local pantry leaders have told me more families will need help.

open.substack.com/pub/gagemisk...

I’m proud that Marion is stepping up alongside HACAP to support food pantries and families who could use a little extra help right now.

If you’re able, please consider donating whether you’re an individual, a business, or community group.

We can’t Reach Higher without lifting others.

What Iowa's Land is Trying to Tell Us Two national stories about Iowa bring reflection on land, identity, pride, and the quiet burdens we’ve carried for generations and what it will take to heal.

I wrote about Iowa: our land, history, identity, and a collective generational trauma rooted in stoic pride, productivity, and the stories we’ve told ourselves for a long time.

open.substack.com/pub/gagemisk...

What is the Linn County Mental Health Access Center? A conversation with Director Erin Foster about the Access Center, mental health in Iowa, and what we all can do to help

My newest Substack post is live!

I interviewed Linn County Mental Health Access Center Director Erin Foster about what the Access Center is, the current mental health system situation in Iowa, and what we can do locally to help and support.

gagemiskimen.substack.com/p/what-is-th...

Agreed

Absolutely! Crisis counselors can connect youth to resources as well. 988 is for all ages.

We are in the middle of a mental health crisis. I’m a strong believer that local governments and community organizations have the power to lead the way

Increased visibility for the 988 Crisis Lifeline is another avenue toward access

It just takes a call or text to remember that you are not alone

Small Decal, Big Message: Why Mental Health Access Matters in Iowa 988 Lifeline decals are coming to some Marion city vehicles

Soon, 988 Decals will be on some of our Marion city vehicles.

I am extremely grateful to my fellow council members, city staff, and HOPEwalk CR for believing in and making this initiative happen.

open.substack.com/pub/gagemisk...

I wrote about the need for a bolder vision for Iowa.

I love this state. I continue to choose to live here while many others my age continue to leave.

We need to be real, name what’s wrong, and fight to fix it.

Take a read and subscribe if you haven’t already: open.substack.com/pub/gagemisk...

Thank you!

Tariffs on Main Street: How National Policy Impacts Uptown Marion Uptown Marion Business owners talk tariffs

My first Substack post is live! Thank you to the Marion business owners that chatted with me about tariff impacts earlier this summer.

open.substack.com/pub/gagemisk...

-A safe and comfortable home and the ability to put food on the table and raise a family if they so choose
-Strong public education
-Clean air to breathe and clean water to drink

It's not rocket science. We just need better communication

Most Americans and Iowans want:
-Freedom to live their lives without discrimination and not think about what their government is doing every single day
-Access to affordable health care and a vast expansion to mental health services

We need to lean into bold ideas, not away from them. Fight for people. Speak plainly. Stop apologizing for wanting to make life better.

What we need is clarity, not caution. Most Americans already agree with progressive values when they're communicated effectively. Iowa is historically one of the most progressive states in the Union.

I don't understand why Dem elected officials keep watering down their language and shifting toward more moderate stances. The folks who already fully oppose you will still call you "communists" or "socialists." It doesn't matter how 'moderate' you sound.

Woke up to seeing this in the Gazette today!

May is Mental Health Awareness Month and I want to be able to make a small impact in the community by helping to normalize the 988 Suicide and Mental Health Crisis Hotline.

If this idea helps just one person who needs it, I think it's valuable.

My friend sent me a recording of my speech from yesterday’s Love Conquers Hate rally in Uptown Marion.

Thank you again to all of the community members who showed up!

I had the privilege of speaking in Uptown Marion today at the Love Conquers Hate Rally. Thank you to everyone who showed up for Community today.

You are Marion.

Keep showing up.
Lean on each other.
Lean on community.
And lead with love and authenticity.

Cedar Rapids friends: you only have a couple days left to vote for Angel Ramirez in the April 29 special election for HD78!

It was a great afternoon to hear from IDP Chair Rita Hart and a bunch of our state legislators for the Angel’s GOTV Event!

Citizen police review boards would be banned under bill approved by lawmakers The proposal, which would abolish a board formed in Cedar Rapids after Black Lives Matter protests, needs only Gov. Kim Reynolds’ signature to become law.

Couple issues with this:

1. Individual communities should be allowed and able to determine how their city operates in this regard. Not state lawmakers.

2. More community involvement and transparency in government and public safety is always good

www.thegazette.com/state-govern...

I just wanted to make it known right now that I am not running for Governor in the Nov. 3, 2026 election as I do not turn 30 until Nov 4, 2026 😔 sorry to disappoint yall

get me to gods country

the world gets quieter when you stop needing to be loud.

Since we’re renaming bodies of water, I am thrilled to announce the Marion River, which flows directly through the heart of our beautiful Linn County.

Thank you Google for updating maps already!

Spent yesterday meeting with legislators and advocating for foster families: more money directly to families and educating on our trial therapeutic foster care program.

We can’t control everything in the world, but I will always do everything I can to advocate for these children in Iowa.

Let’s keep showing up. The future is still ours to build. Fight for each other. Fight for what’s right. And I haven’t heard a damn bell yet.

It’s easy to feel disheartened (I do all the time), but now is when we must lean into our communities, strengthen our connections, and stay rooted in hope. The progressive movement has always been powered by people who refuse to give up, no matter the challenges