Stories

Both of Iowa’s two major political parties are attempting to censor political speech by threatening litigation, instigating government investigations and other intimidation tactics, a First Amendment watchdog group that opposes many campaign finance reform measures said this week.
Jeff Patch, communications director for the Center for Competitive Politics in Virginia and a former press secretary for [...]

Iowa Sen. Charles Grassley is cosponsoring a bill that would amend the U.S. Constitution to prohibit the physical desecration of the American flag.
“No other image depicts as clearly the freedoms and ideals of our country than the American flag.  It’s the symbol our men and women in uniform have fought for over 200 years,” Grassley [...]

Iowa State University President Gregory Geoffroy has announced that the university's athletic program can have a religious adviser, the Des Moines Register reported today:
Geoffroy approved a "volunteer life skills" position for the department to provide faith-based counseling and referrals to athletes but warned that the adviser would be watched closely.
"In carrying out the volunteer [...]

The recent announcement that the Iowa State University athletics department wished to hire a chaplain for the football team has brought criticism from a variety of sources, including ISU professors and the Des Moines Register. Iowa Independent talked with athletic directors and chaplains from other Iowa schools about the issue, though several declined to comment.