Iowa Politics News

Free Seminars for Progressive Iowa Women

Dawn's List and EssentialEstrogen.com

While lunches may never be free, Democratic and progressive women in Iowa do have an opportunity to grab some free technology training in the coming weeks.

Essentialestrogen.com is working with DAWN (Democratic Activist Women's Network) to provide three seminars in three different regions of Iowa starting this Saturday, Nov. 7. Here are the dates, times and locations of the upcoming events:

            Saturday, Nov. 7 - Sioux City
            10 a.m. to Noon
            Mary Treglia Community House, 900 Jennings St.

            Saturday, Nov. 14 - Des Moines
            1:30 to 3:30 p.m.
            AFSCME, 4320 NW 2nd St.

Outstanding Iowa Waters Under Attack by Big Ag Lobbyists

Environmental Law and Policy Center
Protecting the midwest's environment and natural heritage
elpc.org

We’re fighting to protect some of Iowa’s most pristine lakes and streams, and we need your help. Iowa’s legislature and the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) are considering a rule that would protect the 6 Iowa Great Lakes, including Lake Okoboji and Spirit Lake, 29 cold water trout streams and 3 warm water streams in Northeast Iowa. These lakes and streams would be classified as "Outstanding Iowa Waters," a designation that would strictly regulate pollution and ensure that these waters remain clean, world-class destinations for tourism and recreation.

Party of "No" (no leaders/no ideas/no morals) Blocks Obama's Department of Labor Appointee

by Tracy Kurowski

Nine months has passed since the start of the Obama administration, and Republicans continue to block the appointment of M. Patricia Smith as Labor Department Solicitor, the nation’s top cop prosecuting labor law violations.

M. Patricia Smith was nominated for Labor Department Solicitor in the spring, and her confirmation hearing was held last May. Yet, after the Senate HELP Committee finally voted to approve her nomination on October 7, Republican Senator Mike Enzi of Wyoming (the country’s least populous state) filed a procedural motion to put a hold on her nomination and delay the appointment.

Deja Vu All Over Again!  Cereal, Sugar, and Kids

by Cathy Lafrenz

Does this really surprise you? 

Back when dinosaurs roamed the earth, I was a young mother.  I (like lots of Baby Boomers) was a rebellious mother and did such subversive things as nursed my daughter and made my own baby food.  I was a radical. I found highly processed baby food and childrens' cereals unacceptable for my growing daughter.

But when we complained about high salt and sugar levels in baby food - the companies changed.  And although, I still encourage mothers to make their own baby food - at least, the options are much much better than they were 30 years ago.