Toxic Taps: Panel Of Experts Discuss Iowa Water Quality Crisis

Posted on August 25, 2026 by Trish Nelson


This event will be livestreamed.

Thursday, September 3 at 6:30 pm
Iowa City Public Library
123 South Linn Street
Iowa City

DAN VOSS
Linn County Farmer and Cancer Survivor

AUDREY TRAN LAM
Environmental Public Health Director
University of Northern Iowa Center for Energy & Environmental Education

DR. DAVID CWIERTNY
Director
Center for Health Effects of Environmental Contamination (CHEEC)
University of Iowa

ORGANIZED BY THE IOWA ALLIANCE FOR RESPONSIBLE AGRICULTURE
Cosponsored by Little Village Magazine

Consistently unhealthy nitrate levels pollute much of Iowa’s drinking water. Iowa’s pesticide usage per capita leads the nation. The state ranks second in the nation for cancer and is one of three states where the incidence of cancer is growing. What are the connections?

On September 3, Toxic Taps and Cancer: Iowa’s Water Quality Crisis looks to provide some answers with a panel of experts examining the public health consequences of nitrate and other industrial agriculture pollutants in Iowa’s drinking water and air.

Fifth generation Linn farmer Dan Voss is no stranger to cancer. Both he and his wife, Susan, are cancer survivors. Voss will share his experience and how it has shaped their perspectives on the connections between agriculture, environmental health, and community resilience.

University of Northern Iowa (UNI) public health expert Audrey Tran Lam will dive into the health impacts of nitrates, agricultural pesticides, PFAS, and factory farm-generated particulates. She’ll provide a look at their relationship with water and air quality and, in turn, how that affects human health.

Since nitrates and other agricultural toxins wind up in our water, it’s crucial to know what we’re drinking. University of Iowa researcher Dr. David Cwiertny will discuss the value of the Iowa Institute of Hydraulic Research (IIHR) real-time nitrate monitoring network, the status of current funding, and why it’s essential that the state restores full funding to the program. He’ll also talk about an exciting new, privately funded program, Iowa INSIGHT, that will expand the scope of water and air monitoring beyond the current IIHR nitrate monitoring network.

Bring your questions for the Q&A that follows the presentations.

Note: if you are not in Iowa City, the Iowa City Public Library will livestream the event.

About Our Speakers:

Fifth generation farmer Dan Voss is a nationally recognized conservation leader from near Atkins, Iowa. Farming since 1975, he was an early adopter of no-till in 1988 and has led the use of practices like cover crops, strip-till, bioreactors, and saturated buffers to improve soil health and water quality.

As Environmental Health Program Director, Audrey Tram Lam has led UNI’s Center for Energy & Environmental Education working at the junction of where human health and environmental sustainability meet. She holds a master’s degree in Public Health from the University of Iowa and a graduate certificate from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in Food Systems, the Environment and Public Health. Tran Lam serves on the boards of a host of organizations focused on environmental health.

Dr. David Cwiertny is the Rose and Joseph Summers Chair in Water Resources Engineering in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE) and a Professor in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Iowa (UI).

His research broadly focuses on water quality and water treatment, with particular interests at the intersection of public health and policy. At UI, he directs the state-funded Center for Health Effects of Environmental Contamination (CHEEC), which conducts research to identify, measure, and prevent adverse health outcomes from exposure to environmental contaminants.

The meeting is free. A $5 free will donation supports IARA’s work advocating for a factory farm moratorium, stronger CAFO regulations, and a fully funded IIHR monitoring network.

Learn more about IARA at iowaresponsibleagriculture.org

Posted in Blog for Iowa | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Iowa’s Big Ag Lobbyists Getting Nervous

Posted on August 24, 2026 by Trish Nelson

From our inbox:

There’s a lot that’s been happening on the campaign trail, and I wanted to give you a brief update.

Shockingly, my opponent, a 2-term incumbent and his Big Ag donors like Farm Bureau and Bayer-Monsanto are already getting nervous, but this is where we’re at — and it’s only August.

The moment our new poll numbers came out showing me pulling ahead with Independent voters, Mike Naig didn’t waste any time. He fired off an email to his corporate agribusiness donors warning them “this race just got real” — and then launched an attack claiming that I’m “anti-farmer.”

Here’s a screenshot of Monsanto Mike’s desperate email, which a farmer in central Iowa shared with our campaign, confirming that Iowa’s Big Ag lobbyists are already getting nervous about this race.

Mike Naig and Big Ag’s attacks on me are already making the rounds in right-wing media.

But here’s what that attack conveniently leaves out: before Mike Naig ever worked for Iowa farmers, he worked for Monsanto. Yes, he was a corporate lobbyist for Monsanto for 5 years before he was appointed Deputy Secretary in August of 2013.

If you’re tired of Big Ag lobbyists controlling our state’s political system and refusing to stand up for clean water, I need your help today!

Iowans will go to the polls in less than 90 days, and the numbers show that we can win this race! If you’re ready to take back our state’s government from Big Ag’s radical corporate monopolies and understand how important this race against Mike Naig at the ballot box is, I am asking you to donate to my campaign for Iowa Secretary of Agriculture.

Here’s the truth:

That’s right, Naig spent years as a paid lobbyist for the agrichemical industry — first for CropLife America, the pesticide industry’s trade association, then as a manager of government affairs for Monsanto itself, before he ever set foot in the Department of Agriculture.

This is not a rumor. That’s his own resumé.

So when Naig stands on a stage and accuses me — a retired research engineer who has spent his career studying Iowa’s water — of not caring about farmers, ask yourself who’s really been looking out for everyday Iowans who want to drink safe water from their home faucets.

Because Naig’s record speaks for itself:

  • Under Naig, Iowa’s water quality has continued to decline, with the state near the top of the nation in nitrate pollution and pesticide contamination.
  • Iowa now has one of the highest cancer rates in the country, and researchers have tied it to the very chemicals Naig spent his career promoting.
  • Farm bankruptcies have piled up while Naig’s department leaned on toothless, voluntary conservation programs instead of real accountability for polluters.

What I’m calling for is common-sense conservation standards to keep nitrogen and phosphorus out of the drinking water for Des Moines, Iowa City, and Cedar Rapids.

That’s not anti-farmer. That’s pro-Iowa. That’s pro-environment and pro-public health.

Naig knows the truth is catching up to him. That’s why he’s not defending his own record — he’s trying to distract from it, with help from his Big Ag network and friendly media outlets pushing his talking points without asking who he used to work for.

Right now, I’m the only candidate in this race who will stand up to corporate polluters instead of protecting them. When I’m elected, I’ll fight for clean water, for family farmers, and for Iowans’ right to know what’s in the water their kids are drinking — chip in today to help make clean water a reality in Iowa!

We can’t let a former Monsanto lobbyist rewrite this race with a smear campaign. We are already surging in the polls once voters hear the real story. Now we need to make sure every Iowan hears it before November.

Chip in $5, $25, or whatever you can right now to help us get this message to every corner of Iowa.

This race is winnable. Our campaign is just starting to pick up steam among Iowa voters! Let’s finish the job.

Sincerely,

Chris Jones,

Posted in Blog for Iowa | 1 Comment

Sunday Funday: School Starts Again Edition

Posted on August 23, 2026 by Dave Bradley

But first: Rosie O’Donnell sub hosted for Jimmie Kimmel this week on his late night talk show. As expected, she saved a special spot in the week to say something to the orange human in the White House. So here is her monologue for the last night. It is nine minutes long, but if you want to skip to the orange human part, it begins at seven minutes:

As Republicans once again drive the economic engine called the United States into the nearest ditch, I bet a lot of kids are wondering why even go to school? Will there be jods and will they pay enough? Will the climate collapse in the meaantime? Buck up kids and get your parents to vote for Democrats.

 

A) Well, ICE is at it again. This week they arrested and detained a five year old and his father in what state?

B) Hawaii was hit by some rough weather last week in the form of what hurricane?

C) Speaking of weather what major midwestern city is still experiencing floods following days of rain last week?

D) Well, we will try to have some questions on education. What major university got a dismissal of a lawsuit filed by the Trump admin concerning anti-semitism on its campus?

E)  Moderna and Merck shared exciting news concerning an mRNA drug that appears to show resistance to what disease?

F) While campaigning by cabinet members is not illegal, it sure shows desperation. Name 2 of the many Trump cabinet members that campaigned in Iowa last week?

G) How many US states have some form of public funding for private schools?

H) The Cook Political Report, a political prognosticator, changed major races in Iowa in which direction last week?

I) What tech company is at the center of a major federal trial over child safety?

J) What Ally did Trump threaten (again) to impose major tariffs on – then backed out?

K) What ally did Trump threaten to bomb as part of his war on Iran?

L) Nixon’s the one! Who, what and where?

M) Can you go home again? We will find out as what internationally known couple tries to head back to England?

N) About how many students will be enrolled in US schools k-12? Public and private.

O) Donald Trump declared that what middle eastern area was US territory?

P) What you eat may kill you. What two foods were cited as a source of salmonella last week?

Q) Ebola is ravaging which African nation with over 2,300 dead?

R) Compulsory school attendance was mandatory across the US when what state passed compulsory attendance laws in 1918?

S) Natalie Harp became a household name after she was mentioned in a campaign speech by what senate candidate?

T) Finally – farmers in what country are modifying their work so they can work at night when the weather is cooler?

Its funny how everyone’s idea of heaven is a complete untouched paradise, crystal clear waters, lush green forests, enough food for everyone, classless, moneyless, stateless, a utopia of peace, unity and happiness. But here on earth it’s considered a leftist ideology – goma

 

Answers:

 

A) In Austin, Texas. Like the incident in Minnesota earlier this year the boy is named Liam and he is in a detention center

B) Lala

C) Indianapolis, Indiana. Some areas had 18 inches of rail

D) Harvard

E) Melanoma cancer. Pretty exciting

F) Pété Hegseth, RFK the lesser, Todd Blanche and doug Collins. There are more – you can do a quick Google search

G) 30 of the 50

H) all shifted in the direction of Democrats

I) Meta – the claim is Meta is set up to addict youngsters to social media

J) Canada – whoops the talks collapsed – way to go Trump

 K) Oman

L) Angie Nixon won the Democratic primary in Florida in the US Senate race

M) Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are moving back to Britain

N) 55 million – 50 million in public schools and a little under 5 million in private schools

O) The Strait of Hormuz

P) Jalapenos and eggs

Q) the Congo

R) Mississippi

S) Jon Ossoff in Georgia

T) Japan. There is some real extreme heat going on worldwide.

 

We are past the point of political disagreement. We are witnessing a catastrophic collision between unchecked narcissism and obvious neurological decay. It is the most dangerous intersection in American history: a man with the absolute power of the Presidency and the absolute cognitive failure of a person no longer tethered to reality. – Andrew Weinstein

tip of the hat to all-hat-no-cattle.com

tip of the hat to all-hat-no-cattle.com

tip of the hat to all-hat-no-cattle.com

Posted in #nevertrump, Humor | Leave a comment

More Soapbox Speeches

Posted on August 22, 2026 by Dave Bradley

We will continue with a speech from Christina Bohannan from 2024. Bohannan did not speak this year at the fair and neither did her opponent. I am sure you will understand that much of what Bohannan says applies to most any time.

21 minutes:

 

Lindsay James from the 2nd district spoke Thursday afternoon and she brought the goods: (11 minutes)

Posted in #nevertrump, 2026 election | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Democratic House Candidates Speak At The Soapbox

Posted on August 22, 2026 by Dave Bradley

It has been cool at the state fair this year. But while the weather has been cool, it is always hot at the Des Moines Register’s Soap Box. Today I will post the speeches by the four Democratic congressional candidates. We will start with Sarah Trone Garriot who is challenging the ghost known as Zach Nunn in Iowa’s 3rd district:

14 minutes:

Next we will have Dave Dawson, candidate for congress from Iowa’s 4th district.

19 minutes:

At this juncture in our nation’s history, it is truly critical that Democrats gain control of at least one branch of the federal government to stop the out of control power grab that has been going on under Trump leadership for the past nearly 2 years.

While there are specific, short term, localized issues the true underlying issues for this midterm is what to do about a regime in Washington and at the state level that refuses to follow laws and aggregates power to themselves and their ilk. Also in a country founded on the principal that all people are created equal the wealthy and powerful are sure getting more than their fair share.

Let’s make Iowa the state where our democracy reawakens!

Posted in #nevertrump, 2026 election | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Iowa Farmers On Agriculture And Water Quality

Posted on August 21, 2026 by Trish Nelson


From our inbox –

Iowa Environmental Council and Des Moines Water Works event announcement:

What happens when three Iowa farmers decide it’s time to shake things up in the world of agriculture and water quality? The Lobe Rangers happen.

Matt Bormann, James Hepp, and Zack Smith are making waves with bold conservation messaging, real talk about Iowa’s water crisis, and a call for action upstream.

Join the Iowa Environmental Council and Des Moines Water Works for an engaging, sometimes provocative, and always honest conversation with The Lobe Rangers about farming, conservation, water quality, and how we can all move Iowa forward. The evening will bring rural and urban Iowans together around something we all share: the water that connects us.

You’ll have a chance to ask The Lobe Rangers your toughest water quality and farming questions and learn about the conservation practices they use to improve the water leaving their farmland.

This event is free and open to the public; however, your RSVP is appreciated.

Farm Fields to City Taps: A Conversation with The Lobe Rangers, hosted by the Iowa Environmental Council and Des Moines Water Works
Monday, September 14, 2026
5:30 – 7:30 p.m.

(social time and appetizers at 5:30 p.m.; program begins at 6:00 p.m.)
Iowa Taproom — Marquette Room, 215 E 3rd St. #100, Des Moines, IA 50309

Questions? Contact us at iecmail@iaenvironment.org

 

Posted in Blog for Iowa | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

John Norwood For State Treasurer

Posted on August 20, 2026 by Trish Nelson

Democratic candidate for treasurer John Norwood speaks to Iowans at the Des Moines Register Political Soapbox. 

Volunteer or donate to his campaign here.

Posted in Blog for Iowa | Tagged , | Leave a comment

What Democrats Are Doing

Posted on August 19, 2026 by Trish Nelson

Posted in Blog for Iowa | Tagged | Leave a comment

Member Of Congress Manufactures Campaign Material

Posted on August 18, 2026 by Paul Deaton
industrial welder working in factory with sparks
Photo by Đạt Bùi on Pexels.com

I used to think I could talk with Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks. That was in 2008 during her first run for Congress. I was on the county board of health and felt that gave me standing to discuss issues with the ophthalmologist. I found her during a break between two parades in Johnson County and asked questions, which she answered. I don’t recall much of the conversation, except that I asked her about abortion. She replied, “Roe vs. Wade is the law of the land.” I now recognize this as a conventional Republican dodge designed to assuage my concerns on a controversial issue. It seems duplicitous in the time of Dobbs vs. Jackson Women’s Health Organization.

Eighteen years later, this aspect of the congresswoman’s character remains unchanged. It was exemplified during her discussion of a recent series of events dubbed “the second annual Made in America manufacturing tour.”

“I met workers who told me the same story again and again,” she wrote in a weekly email newsletter. “They love their work. They are proud of what they build. And they want Washington to get out of their way so they can keep doing it.” That’s a very Republican response which left me feeling empty.

Steel manufacturing companies, like the four Miller-Meeks visited are notorious polluters. By getting out of the way, she must have meant her May 22, 2025 yes vote on S.J.Res. 31, which overturned an EPA rule concerning the classification of industrial facilities as “major sources” versus “area sources” under Section 112 of the Clean Air Act. This matters to steel manufacturers because scrap metal processing can introduce hazardous metals and other contaminants into the furnace. Her vote potentially loosened restrictions on this process.

Or maybe she referred to her yes vote for H.J.Res. 35 which overturned EPA’s implementation rule for the methane-waste-emissions charge created under the Inflation Reduction Act. This law is more evidence of what Miller-Meeks means by Washington getting out of the way: undoing good things President Joe Biden did.

Or maybe Miller-Meeks being an original cosponsor of H.J. Res. 27, introduced in January 2025, to overturn EPA’s regulation of trichloroethylene (TCE) under the Toxic Substances Control Act is what she meant. This matters for the plants she visited because it is evidence she was actively sponsoring efforts to reverse an EPA chemical restriction.

Finally, in March 2025 Miller-Meeks introduced H.R. 2145, the Recycling Infrastructure and Accessibility Act of 2025, which would create an EPA pilot-grant program to improve recycling access in rural and underserved areas. Two of the plants she visited are scrap recyclers and the area in which they purchase scrap metal has been the subject of foreign competition buying up scrap at a higher price. Without this raw material, Iowa firms have to seek it elsewhere in more expensive markets. Introducing this bill is an example of Miller-Meeks rigging the system for steel manufacturers.

There are other issues in the wings, particularly labor. The Gerdau S.A. plant in Wilton is an example of the United Steelworkers Local 8581 working with management in long-term planning. It was that way when they were owned by Cargill, and remains so under Gerdau. However, the other three locations are not fully unionized. The only other employees represented by a union are at Clow Valve, where about 100 of 450 employees are represented by District Lodge 8 of the International Association of Machinists. SSAB Iowa, Inc. and Wilton Precision Steel are decidedly non-union companies.

I don’t doubt employees Miller-Meeks encountered on her tour take pride in their work. There is more to the story. These visits have been readily turned into campaign fodder. Loosening regulations that could potentially impact our health, and rigging the system to favor steel manufacturers is not being mentioned in all the happy talk in her newsletters. I’ve learned that is par for the course with Republicans.

Posted in Iowa politics | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Even The Price Of Corn Dogs Has Gone Up

Posted on August 17, 2026 by Trish Nelson

Posted in Blog for Iowa | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment