Substacks recommended by Suzanna de Baca | Dispatches from the Heartland

Recommended by Suzanna de Baca

Telling Stories About Ordinary People in Extraordinary Circumstances in History

I write about places and people (including myself) that I want to learn more about, and that make the Quad Cities, Eastern Iowa, and/or the Midwest their home. Proud member of the Iowa Writers' Collaborative.

Hola Iowa

Connect with the Latino communities in Iowa.

View from the Cedar Valley

By Pat Kinney

Column of news and observations from the Waterloo-Cedar Falls and greater Cedar Valley area.

Showing Up

By Kurtis Meyer

I write about the importance of simply showing up.

Talking Good

By Teresa Zilk

In this space, I’ll write about the people, places, and learnings that have helped to shape me and my journey here in Iowa.

Of Spanglish and Maximalism

By Chuy Renteria

First generation Mexican-American Midwestern musings.

Fern and Joe

By Fern Kupfer and Joe Geha

opinions on topics

Mary Swander's Emerging Voices

Diverse people voice their opinions for the Iowa Writers Collaborative

Kyle Munson's Main Street

Stories from along the thoroughfare and down the side streets, too

Barry Piatt on Politics: - Behind the Curtains

Consistently ahead of the curve political commentary and analysis

Benign Inspiration

By Jody Gifford

Consider this a warning: I write about whatever inspires me. It's random, I know.

A Whole New World

By Debra Engle

We can make the world new every day.

Prepare to be delighted and inspired by Iowa writer Deb Engel.

- Suzanna de Baca

Dave Busiek on Media

Viewpoint on current issues in media

Share in the wisdom and insights from this veteran Iowa media icon.

- Suzanna de Baca

Along the Mississippi

By Ed Tibbetts

News, opinions and ideas from the Quad-Cities, where the river runs east to west

Insightful reads for anyone in Iowa and beyond.

- Suzanna de Baca

Black Iowa News

Black Iowa News is an independent news platform designed to highlight Black perspectives, showcase the Black community and amplify the voices of Black Iowans — online and in print.

Iowa Boy Chuck Offenburger

...Iowa, small towns, and saddle shoes

Iowa Boy Chuck Offenburger is a journalistic legend here in Iowa; do not miss his commentary on topics from Jefferson to Des Moines and all the Iowa places and spaces in between.

- Suzanna de Baca

Mary Swander’s Buggy Land

By swandermary@gmail.com

The Amish, sustainability, and the wider rural environment.

Art Cullen’s Notebook

A view from rural America: immigration, agriculture, environment, politics

Do not miss even a word from Art Cullen, Iowa's own Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, who writes from his vantage point in Storm Lake.

- Suzanna de Baca

The Iowa Mercury

By Douglas Burns

Iowa's Politics, People, Economy and Culture

Doug Burns' dynamite column.

- Suzanna de Baca

Iowa politics with Laura Belin

What an Iowa political reporter is reading and writing

Iowa Writers Collaborative

By Julie Gammack

Linking readers and writers who care about Iowa.

Please join and support this talented troupe of Iowa writers, who cover everything from politics to culture, recipes to spirituality with a uniquely midwestern point of view.

- Suzanna de Baca

Deep Midwest: Politics and Culture

By Robert Leonard

The politics and culture of Iowa, the midwest, and beyond.

Dive into politics and culture midwest-style with observations from this talented writer.

- Suzanna de Baca

Written Tales Magazine

Written Tales Magazine, bringing literature back to the forefront through poetry, short story, and prose. We're a magazine that helps writers become better writers and a place for readers to enjoy creative writing at its finest.

Written Tales offers engaging poetry, short stories and prose. I encourage you to check it out.

- Suzanna de Baca

In the Dirt

By Beth Hoffman

I dive into the the economics of growing food, give you the dirt on the politics of agriculture and occasionally share a funny tale from our ranch, Whippoorwill Creek Farm.

Barry Piatt on Politics - Behind the Curtain

Consistently ahead of the curve political analysis, commentary and strategy.

Julie Gammack's Iowa Potluck

By Julie Gammack's Potluck

Julie unearths stories you'll want to read, and or listen to via podcast. She's in the know, so you'll be in the know. She was into 'reader engagement' before 'reader engagement' was a thing. Join the community!

If you love Iowa, consider subscribing to this no-holds-barred potluck of commentary from the brilliant Julie Gammack.

- Suzanna de Baca