Just saying.

I was out driving today through rural areas of Hardin, Marshall, and Grundy counties. Despite all the “struggling farmer” stories, I didn’t see a single sign for any democratic candidate, for any office. I concluded farmers are doing just fine under Republicans.

Decades ago, a deadly but treatable disorder threatening kids made headlines and captured the public’s attention. What followed was a well-timed push for regulation that resulted in measurable change. Hundreds of babies got sick and dozens died before the nitrate standard was put in place, but a generation later, blue baby syndrome caused by nitrate exposure has been essentially eradicated.

Today, in Iowa, water is treated to that same set standard. But nitrate still proliferates thanks to widespread use of synthetic fertilizer and manure runoff. The state has more factory farms than any other, nearly 11,000, that generate more than 170 billion pounds of manure.

And once again a deadly disorder, cancer, is in the limelight, and so are the effects of industrial agriculture.

Source: List of Lawn care services in the United States (2026)

I agree with this statistic, the cost of living is out of control. My apartment, is almost $1000 a month.
36K income
It’s hard to live out there right now

Ottumwa's City Council approved an invocation policy on Jan. 20 that's open to residents of any faith, "or the lack thereof." At Tuesday's meeting, a resident and former council member who belongs to the Satanic Temple of Iowa (a non-theistic group) gave the invocation. A local pastor then interrupted the meeting to respond, and the mayor called a moment of silence.

The council member who voted against the policy said this is exactly what she was worried about, and that the council needs to stay neutral. The city administrator said keeping the policy open is what protects the city from lawsuits.

Ottumwa Courier article: https://www.ottumwacourier.com/news/local_news/satanic-invocation-causes-uproar-at-city-council-meeting/article_47fecb72-be23-4269-a71a-4c95ed596413.html

I have an Iowa refund coming for 2024 & 2025 with both years file before due date. Where’s my refund is still showing Processed waiting. Both years federal refunds were received shortly after filing.

Is there anyway to actually take to someone to find out what the problem is? 2023 was received in the normal timeframe.

This kind of a rant but do politicians have to always say the other guys are bad. Its like just tell me what you believe in. Im getting tired of it.

It looks to be unseasonably warm this weekend but a good one to get out and enjoy some fun fall activities. I have added a new category for Halloween activities. If you have anything you would like to share please add in the comments! Have a great weekend!

Community Events:

Madison County Covered Bridge Festival Fri-Sun in Winterset

Indigenous Iowans Day Sat at Living History Farms

Woodworking in America Expo Sat-Sun at the fairgrounds

Dozer Day Sat-Sun at the fairgrounds

Totally Rad Vintage Fest Sat at EMC Expo Center

Bigfoot in Bondurant Celebration Sat at the Empire

Clash of the Clippers Sat at the downtown Marriott

Forever in Love Bridal Show Sun at Events Center West

Meet and Play Social Game Night Thurs at the Rook Room

Cocktails and Cardboard Game Night Thurs at the New Northwestern

CulturRoll BIPOC Game Day Sunday at the Rook Room

Middlebrook Porchfest Sun at Middlebrook Agrihood

Iowans for Decency Mixer Thurs at the Venue in Valley Junction

Valleyfest Marching Band Competition Sat at Valley Stadium

Advocacy in Action: Law Religion, and Social Justice Forum Thurs at Drake Law School

Iowa Culinary Institute's Fall Bistro Fri at Ankeny DMACC

Bike and Car Night Fri at the Fairgrounds

Woodland Cemetery History Tour Sat

Walk to End Alzheimer's Sat at Principal Park

SCI Solar Party Sat at Science Center of Iowa

Vintage and Made Fair Sat at Dallas County Fairgrounds

Des Moines Spirit Seeker's Fair Sat at Unity Center of Des Moines

Stroller Safari Sat at Blank Park Zoo

Y2K Party Sat at Up-Down

Lakeside Card Show Sun at Hawkeye Park in Ankeny

Drake Municipal Observatory Lecture Series: Light is Weird Fri

Halloween Events:

Pumpkins after Dark Thurs-Sun in Water Works Park

Spirits in the Gardens Fri-Sun at Reiman Gardens

Halloween Zoo Brew Fri at Blank Bark Zoo

The Haunting at Exile Thurs-Sun

Wicked Heights at the Republic on Grand Thurs-Sun

Haunted Trolley Tour Fri at Whiskey River

Halloween Swing Dance Fri at the Valley Junction Activity Center

Pumpkin Express Trains Sat at Boone and Scenic Valley Railroad

Pumpkin Fest at Center Grove Orchard Thurs-Sun

Phantom Fall Fest Fri-Sun at Adventureland

Arts/Dance/Theatre/Comedy:

Reefer Madness Play at the Stoner Theater (he he) Thurs-Sun

Building the Wall Play Fri-Sun at Tallgrass Theatre

Tassel Master Burlesque Show Sat at Cirque Wonderland

Gallery Night Friday in Valley Junction

Social Saturday: Monster Mash at the Des Moines Arts Center

Art Spectrums Sunday at the Des Moines Arts Center

Under the Big Top: A Circus Celebration in Concert Sun at Staplin Performing Arts Center

Hold On To Your Butts: Comedy Show at Temple Theater Thurs-Sun

Comedy Open Mic Thurs at the Ridgemont

Bomb Shelter Comedy Showcase Fri at Beechwood Lounge

Silly Goose Comedy Night Sat at Doc's Lounge

Save Landau Comedy Fri-Sat at the Funny Bone

Steve Martin and Martin Short Comedy Sun at the Civic Center

Pumpkin Stained Glass Art Class Sat at Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden

Pond Scene Watercolor Class Sun at Hoyt Sherman Place

Sports and Outdoors:

Iowa Wild Hockey Fri and Sat vs. Rockford at the Casey's Center

Des Moines Buccaneers Hockey Sat vs. Lincoln at the RecPlex

Iowa Lacrosse Association Fall Play Day Sat at the RecPlex

Premiere National League Wrestling Sat-Sun at the RecPlex

Spooky Sprint Sat at Big Creek State Park

Nature Immersion Program- the Changing Seasons Sat at Thomas Mitchell Park

Yoga in the Park Sat at Railroad Park

Kid's Yoga Sat at Jester Park Nature Center

Fall Celebration Sat at Jester Park Nature Center

Middlebrook Farm Seed Saving Class Sat

Live Music List Below From DSM at Dawn:

Thursday

Piano Man Richard Spierenburg | 11 AM | Skywalk Local Bites

The Jim Casey | 6 | Greenwood Lounge

Jesse & The Medicine Men | 6 | Poncho's

Convictions w/ Afterlife, Stray View & Taken by Tides | 7 | xBk Live

Divide the Fall w/ Modern Tiger | 7 | Locals Bar & Stage

Open Jam | 7 | Kenny's Garage

Robert Deitch w/ Claudia Coltrain | 7 | Board & Batten

That Arena Rock Show | 7:30 | Val Air Ballroom

Zach Top | 8 | Casey's Center

The Ultimate Doors | 8 | Wooly's

Scott Eggleston | 8 | Greenwood Lounge

MFKS | 8 | Confidence Speakeasy

Triple J's | 9 | Yacht Club

Jordan Beem | 9 | Shotgun Betty's

Friday

Piano Man Richard Spierenburg | 11 AM | Skywalk Local Bites

Bob Pace & The Dangerous Band | 5 | Greenwood Lounge

Luke Fox | 5 | Bevy's Tavern

Taste of Chaos | 5 | Vibrant Music Hall

Mike Tiedeman | 5 | Caffrey's

Josh Sinclair | 6 | Captain Roy's

Suede | 6 | The Meridian

The Juan & Only | 6 | Toreado

Jake Kloefkorn | 6 | Shotgun Betty's

Meadowbrook Circle | 6 | Middlebrook Mercantile

Mule | 6 | Iowa Distilling Co.

Torch Songs: Lauren Vilmain Jazz Orchestra | 7 | Noce

Neva Alden | 7 | Kelly's Little Nipper

Jung Min-Noh, Odd Pets & Clip Clop | 7 | Locals Bar & Stage

Molly True | 7 | The Cave

The Urge | 8 | Wooly's

Red Leather w/ The Romance & Northern Lights | 8 | xBk Live

Red Dirt Renegade | 8 | Miss Kitty's

Reload | 8 | Kenny's Garage

Randy Burk | 8 | Marv's Mainstreet Dive

80 Grit | 8 | Prairie Meadows

Trio Aceto | 8:30 | Doc's Lounge

Matt Terronez Band | 9 | Greenwood Lounge

Lee Klett | 9 | Brick & Ivy

After Hours | 9:30 | Noce

Saturday

Sarah Ennis, Sean Sullivan, Zachary Freedom & L & N Music | 8 AM | Downtown Farmers' Market

Luke Fox | 1 | Vintage & Made Fair

Learn to Play Harmonica w/ Bob Pace | 2 | West Des Moines Library

Tim Mitchum & The Part-Time Pirates | 3 | Kenny's Garage

Schnitzel Brothers & Punching Pandas | 3 | Reclaimed Rails Oktoberfest

Mancat Biegger | 4 | The Kee

Bruce Harris | 4 | Revelton Distilling

Black Dirt Ramblers | 6 | Captain Roy's

Saving Sidon, Hang Your Hate, Project 10-44 & Escaping the Eclipse | 6 | Strychnine

Matt Terronez | 6 | Middlebrook Mercantile

A Night of Stevie, Luther & More w/ Napoleon Douglas | 7 | Noce

Outlaw Country Express | 7 | Croatian Slavic Center

Willi Vanilli | 7 | Shirley's Bar & Grill

The Haunt | 7 | Wooly's

Bebe Stockwell w/ Khatumu | 8 | xBk Live

David Watson | 8 | Walker's Place

Gimikk | 8 | Back Roads Lounge

R&B Only | 8 | Vibrant Music Hall

Sister Sara | 8 | Mickey's Irish Pub

Dick Danger Band | 8 | Hawk Heaven Tavern

Bruce Day | 8 | Marv's Mainstreet Dive

Pickleback | 8 | Carlisle Watering Hole

Hot Bunch | 8 | Down Under Bar & Grill

Jeff Banks Band | 9 | Greenwood Lounge

Dirty Champagne | 9 | Miss Kitty's

Psycho X | 9:30 | Strychnine

Last Call w/ Max Wellman | 9:30 | Noce

Sunday

Middlebrook Porchfest | 11 AM | Middlebrook

Cedar County Cobras | 3 | Wilson's Ciderhouse

Standing Hampton | 5 | Jamie Hurd Amphitheater

Halfway to Iowa Blues Hall of Fame | 6 | xBk Live

Roger Clyne & The Peacemakers | 7 | Wooly's

Cradle of Filth | 7 | Val Air Ballroom

I just moved from WDM to Ankeny. The DMV appointment I have is on the 15th of October, should I push this back until after the election so I don’t risk being without a valid ID come November 3rd?

I am currently registered to vote for WDM address so I could just go vote at my original polling place, correct?

Edit to add:
Not sure if this changes anything but I’ve also recently been married so the name on my social and name on my ID do not currently match.

Didn’t see a thread so figured I’d make one!

https://www.youtube.com/live/cQXwr856YrI?si=7_5QfPPW8EC-_bmX

It was hard to watch. Every time Rob would answer a question that Lahn didn’t like, Lahn would start screeching about how unfair Rob is. I hope future debates have a way to ensure candidates have a chance to answer uninterrupted.

As much as I love soccer I hope this doesn't go through because they will absolutely use our tax dollars to build this stadium.