Bleeding Heartland
An independent website about Iowa politics
 Bleeding Heartland
Dillon Military Bridge in Jones County

Some local officials in Iowa plow ahead with secrecy


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Brutally honest keynote lays out path for demoralized Democrats


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The life and legacy of Wayne Ford and his recommitment


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"Big, Beautiful Bill" leaves Iowa small businesses holding the bag


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I grew up an Iowa Republican. This is not your parents' Republican Party


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Democrats could do worse than George Clooney for 2028


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All photos by Melissa Wubben

Integrating native plants and sustainable agriculture in rural Iowa


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Do-nothing Congress fails to investigate Trump's abuses of power


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Architect's rendering of a White House ballroom expansion

Lots of unanswered questions need answering


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IPERS is not the problem. It’s the solution to Iowa’s public workforce crisis


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LIFT IOWA PAC: Lifting the local leaders Iowa needs


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Tractor pulling a liquid manure injector in Sabula, Iowa in October 2024

A progressive platform for Iowa food and agriculture


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Backbone State Park, the home of one of Iowa's most polluted lakes. Photo: wonder_al (Flickr)

Voluntarily polluting our water: 14 ways Iowa is messing up


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1968 campaign pin for George Wallace

Some things don't wash off


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William F. Buckley, Jr. and President Lyndon Johnson

Recent U.S. history: In their own words


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All photos by Jo Hain

Iowa wildflower Wednesday: American dragonhead


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The Des Moines River as it flows under NW 66th Avenue in Johnston. (Photo by Cami Koons/Iowa Capital Dispatch)

Hundreds gather for presentation on Polk County water quality report


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Dr. Emily Boevers

One year later: The real impact of Iowa's near-total abortion ban


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JD Vance wants to put a MAGA stamp on citizenship


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Former Iowa lawmaker gives master class on sucking up to Trump


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