From the Newsletter

Four of the top stories featured last month in the LV Daily, Little Village’s weekday afternoon email written by Paul Brennan. Subscribe at littlevillagemag.com/support

Iowa legislature passes bill restricting gender-affirming care for trans children, even if prescribed by doctors

Thursday, March 9

On Wednesday, Iowa House Republicans followed the example of their Senate counterparts and pushed through a bill banning gender-affirming care for any transgender person under 18 in the state, even if the person’s doctors and parents agree such care is necessary. Unlike the vote in the Senate, where every Republican voted for the ban, five Republicans joined all the House’s Democrats in opposing it.

Iowa governor says ‘it’s not easy for me either’ as she signs laws considered life-threatening by trans care providers

Wednesday, March 22

After not commenting on the bill to ban gender-affirming medical care for trans minors, Gov. Reynolds confirmed on Tuesday she will sign the bill. She compared the medical care to health- and safety-threatening behavior such as smoking and drinking alcohol, and said the ban “is in the best interest of the kids.” Reynolds also signed a ban on trans Iowans using school bathrooms or locker rooms that match their gender identity.

Iowa City Starbucks files to become first unionized store in the state

Tuesday, March 28

Workers at the Starbucks in downtown Iowa City have begun the formal process that will allow them to unionize. Unionization drives at the coffee chain have swept through locations around the country during the last two years, but the workers at the Starbucks at the corner of Burlington and Clinton Streets are the first in Iowa to file a petition for a union election with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB).

Set to close after 181 years, Iowa Wesleyan University is ‘disappointed in the lack of state support’

Wednesday, March 29

Iowa Wesleyan University announced on Monday it will permanently close at the end of the current semester. In a statement posted on its website, the private university in Mount Pleasant cited financial problems, including a decline in donor support and Gov. Kim Reynolds’ refusal to provide assistance using American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds.

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