Zachary Oren Smith

Iowa, Iowa City

Just your friendly neighborhood reporter ● Writes about Iowa politics for @iastartingline ● Producer of This American Ex-Wife and Iowa Down Ballot

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Articles

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds will not run for reelection in 2026

1 week ago | iowastartingline.com | Zachary Oren Smith

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds has led the state for a decade, but has now made the surprise decision to not seek a third term in 2026. Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds announced Friday that she will not seek a third term in 2026, bringing an end to what will be nearly a decade as the state’s chief executive. “After a lot of thought, prayer, and conversations with my family, I have decided that I will not seek re-election in 2026,” Reynolds said in a video statement posted to social media Friday morning.
University of Iowa students have visas revoked by Trump administration

1 week ago | iowastartingline.com | Zachary Oren Smith

The University of Iowa confirmed that students have had their visa unexpectedly revoked as part of the Trump administration’s nationwide crackdown on international students.
Iowa House Democrats propose worker relief package amid Iowa economic headwinds

3 weeks ago | iowastartingline.com | Zachary Oren Smith

Iowa House Democrats unveiled a series of legislative proposals aimed at supporting working families as the state faces economic headwinds, including recent layoffs of 780 workers in Decorah and Amana. Iowa has seen major layoffs this week that have put at least 780 people out of work. As these workers look for what’s next, the Iowa Legislature is well positioned to support these families.
Top House Democrat predicts Miller-Meeks will lose in 2026

3 weeks ago | iowastartingline.com | Zachary Oren Smith

National Democrats see an opportunity to flip Iowa’s 1st Congressional District and take congressional control away from the Trump administration. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries recently took aim at US Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks of Iowa, predicting her defeat in the upcoming election cycle while highlighting Democratic momentum following a recent special election victory in the state.
Former Granger High principal’s firm belief in power of education leads him to Granite School District assistant superintendent

3 weeks ago | wvcjournal.com | Zachary Oren Smith

In 2013, Neil Armstrong Academy opened in the West Valley City Highbury area. Unlike other K-6 schools, or any other school in West Valley at the time, for that matter, it was a STEM school. Neil Armstrong made city-wide headlines for being the first school in the valley to implement a STEM-focused curriculum designed to teach skills required for careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics at an early age.
VoteVets targets Rep. Zach Nunn on Veterans Affairs cuts

1 month ago | iowastartingline.com | Zachary Oren Smith

A veterans voter education group is going after US. Rep. Zach Nunn in a new campaign over the Trump administration’s sweeping cuts to the US Department of Veterans Affairs. Progressive veterans group VoteVets is launching an ad campaign calling on Republican US Rep. Zach Nunn to oppose the mounting cuts and layoffs at the US Department of Veterans Affairs.
Iowa farms pay the price for Trump-Musk USDA cuts

1 month ago | iowastartingline.com | Zachary Oren Smith

Federal cuts are coming home to roost on Iowa farms. More than $11 million in funding that the USDA promised to Iowa’s local food system spoiled overnight, leaving farmers facing even greater unpredictability. Seeds are sprouting in greenhouses. Meat processing dates are locked in at local lockers. Iowa farmers have been planning all winter for a growing season that’s now in jeopardy.
Iowa school cancels African American Read-In, 1619 Freedom School steps in

1 month ago | iowastartingline.com | Zachary Oren Smith

Waterloo Schools pulled out of an event focused on promoting Black literacy over fears of losing federal funding under Trump’s new anti-DEI directives. In response, the 1619 Freedom School is stepping in to host its own event this Saturday.
Iowa Republicans’ bill to criminalize vaccine providers advances amid funnel week chaos

1 month ago | iowastartingline.com | Zachary Oren Smith

MRNA vaccines were key to fighting the COVID-19 pandemic. Iowa Senate Republicans cooked up a bill to criminalize the providers of numerous widely-used immunizations. But at the last minute, the bill’s sponsor said the language may be scrapped for something new entirely. Iowa Republicans are barreling through funnel week. If a bill hasn’t passed committee by Friday, it’s dead.* And a bill that criminalizes some health care providers for doing their job is moving towards passage.
Iowa Legislators advance bill to put free menstrual products in schools

1 month ago | iowastartingline.com | Zachary Oren Smith

A House Republican bill advanced that would require public schools to provide free menstrual products to students. The bill has bipartisan support, but the state won’t reimburse schools after three years. Legislation is advancing in Iowa this year that would require public schools to provide free menstrual products in at least half of school restrooms for students in grades six through twelve. Maanya Pandey is a student at the University of Iowa.