Bleeding Heartland
An independent website about Iowa politics
 Bleeding Heartland
CIA Director John Ratcliffe, President Donald Trump, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio monitor U.S. military operations in Venezuela from Mar-a-Lago Club in Palm Beach, Florida, on January 3, 2026 (official White House photo by Molly Riley)

Venezuela: Into the unknown


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The gang that needs to be disbanded is ICE


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Undated photo of Donald Trump with Jeffrey Epstein, released by Democrats on the House Oversight Committee in December 2025

Time to investigate decades of FBI, DOJ inaction on Jeffrey Epstein


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Photo by Diane Porter of a Ruby-throated hummingbird visiting a rough blazing star plant

Recap of Iowa wildflower Wednesdays from 2025


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photo by Bruce Lear, published with permission

Predictions for Under the Golden Dome


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Does Iowa's updated bottle bill serve Iowans—or beverage distributors?


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When power demands compliance, not justice


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Recognizing Bleeding Heartland's talented 2025 guest authors


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Davenport City Hall (photo courtesy of the City of Davenport)

Sunshine delayed is sunshine denied


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Protester's sign in the Iowa state capitol on February 27, 2024 (photo by Laura Belin)

Public interests and property rights: The pipeline looms for Iowa lawmakers


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The admirables from 2025


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Renee Hardman, after voting early on December 10 (photo courtesy of Hardman for Iowa)

"A strong message": Four takeaways from Renee Hardman's big win


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photo of Jenny Turner provided by the author

A new year’s resolution for Congress: Vote for Iowans, not billionaires


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ISU President Wendy Wintersteen with the Friend of the Iowa Soybean Farmer award, December 2025 (photo credit: Joclyn Kuboushek/Iowa Soybean Association)

Wendy Wintersteen fell short of what ISU needed


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Who decides what students must think? Iowa's universities and public trust


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Iowa Senate district 16 preview: Renee Hardman vs. Lucas Loftin


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The White House during construction of the ballroom on December 17, 2025

Altruism, preventable deaths, and unnecessary ballrooms


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State Representative Josh Turek in the Iowa House chamber

Josh Turek: Top draft pick


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All photos provided by the author and published with permission

Celebrating Irishness


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On "fair" reporting and what happened at "60 Minutes"


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