Lyle Muller

Down In Funding and Polls, Hatch's Climb Is Steep In Iowa's Gubernatorial Race

Democrat Jack Hatch’s gubernatorial campaign clearly has been in the kind of steep uphill climb you would expect when running against an incumbent like Republican Terry Branstad, especially when Branstad had 22 times more campaign money than Hatch had mid-summer.

By Lyle Muller

/ 25 Sep 2014

Down In Funding and Polls, Hatch's Climb Is Steep In Iowa's Gubernatorial Race

Iowa Voters Pick Their Gubernatorial Issues

Short video: We let voters talk about the issues they want Iowa's gubernatorial candidates to talk about leading up to the Nov. 4 election.

By Inma Mateos and Lyle Muller

/ 22 Sep 2014

Iowa Voters Pick Their Gubernatorial Issues

Gubernatorial Candidates Spar Over Best Way To Provide Jobs In Iowa, Leadership

The Republican and Democratic candidates for governor wasted no time digging into the merits of a $100 million tax break that lured a $1.6 billion fertilizer company to Lee County. Republican Gov. Terry Branstad and Democratic challenger state Sen. Jack Hatch also lobbed accusations of improper beha

By Lyle Muller

/ 20 Sep 2014

Gubernatorial Candidates Spar Over Best Way To Provide Jobs In Iowa, Leadership

Panel: Fight Against Meth Abuse Is A Shared Effort

Several organizations working together can fight the spread of methamphetamine use and create hope for those addicted to the drug, speakers said at a forum that IowaWatch helped co-host on July 1.

By Lyle Muller

/ 2 Jul 2014

Panel: Fight Against Meth Abuse Is A Shared Effort

IowaWatch Journalists Win Regional SPJ Reporting Awards

IowaWatch reporters Katie Kuntz and Sarah Hadley have won regional Society of Professional Journalists’ (SPJ) regional Mark of Excellence Awards for stories they did in 2013 for IowaWatch.org and

By Lyle Muller

/ 28 Apr 2014

IowaWatch Journalists Win Regional SPJ Reporting Awards

Commentary: Public Records Requests Shouldn't Start With Costs

The request seemed simple: provide your school district’s policy for handling emergencies that require a school lockdown and notifying parents. No one responded the way the Iowa City Community School District did. “Per your request and prior to starting the process, I wanted to inform you that the f

By Lyle Muller

/ 18 Apr 2014

Commentary: Public Records Requests Shouldn't Start With Costs

Governor Puts Focus on Veterans, Student Debt Reduction, Broadband Expansion In Legislative Program

Branstad Also Lays Out Hopes For A Better-Wired Iowa And Anti-Bullying Proposal In Condition Of State Address

By Lyle Muller, Linh Ta, Lauren Mills, Katie Kuntz and Sarah Hadley

/ 14 Jan 2014

Governor Puts Focus on Veterans, Student Debt Reduction, Broadband Expansion In Legislative Program

Commentary: Iowa Needs Problem Solvers To Narrow Opportunity Gaps

In 1974 a handful of leaders in Fort Dodge’s strongly black Pleasant Valley neighborhood wanted the city to do something to help strengthen that neighborhood, especially for young black

By Lyle Muller

/ 16 Sep 2013

Commentary: Iowa Needs Problem Solvers To Narrow Opportunity Gaps

Commentary: Wisconsin Legislative Move Raises Serious Academic Freedom Issues

The punishment was doled out with little warning in a 12-4 party line vote of the Wisconsin Legislature’s Joint Finance Committee, with Republicans holding the majority. At about

By Lyle Muller

/ 12 Jun 2013

Commentary: Wisconsin Legislative Move Raises Serious Academic Freedom Issues

Sunshine Week message: Open Government Makes us Better Citizens

Commentary Don’t expect movement in the state Senate on a House bill that would keep secret the names and addresses of people seeking gun permits in Iowa. “I’m

By Lyle Muller

/ 13 Mar 2013

Sunshine Week message: Open Government Makes us Better Citizens

Having More Money May Give Iowa More Fits Than Having Less

Commentary The time existed when buying a television was a difficult decision. Televisions were expensive. Most families had one. You knew someone with money to blow if you knew someone

By Lyle Muller

/ 28 Jan 2013

Having More Money May Give Iowa More Fits Than Having Less

Newsroom Collaboration Gives Veterans Story Life

The numbers were available: Iowa veterans were waiting at the end of 2012, on average, 313 days before the Department of Veterans Affairs processed their benefit claims. Less than a year, but more than 10 months. After returning from war, with disabilities. But what did those numbers mean?

By Lyle Muller

/ 31 Dec 2012