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The independent newspaper of the University of Iowa community since 1868

The Daily Iowan

The independent newspaper of the University of Iowa community since 1868

The Daily Iowan

The independent newspaper of the University of Iowa community since 1868

The Daily Iowan

Gov. Kim Reynolds smiles during the Condition of the State address at the Iowa State Capitol on Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2020.

Opinion: Occupational licensing hinders workers instead of helping them

Marina Jaimes, Columnist February 23, 2020

A recent policy event on occupational-licensing reform hosted by Americans for Prosperity shed light on the red tape that hinders success instead of incentivizing entrepreneurship. Guest speaker and...

The XFL official game ball is seen Sunday, Nov. 24, 2019 in St. Petersburg, Fla.

Opinion: The XFL is a blueprint for improving college football safety

Hailey Marx, Columnist February 23, 2020

The Super Bowl might be long gone, but the football season is just getting started for the XFL. The new professional league is similar to the NFL but aims to create a safer environment. The key difference...

The Iowa State Capitol building is seen in Des Moines on April 9, 2019.

Opinion: Iowa parents deserve to have input on what their children are taught

Jason O'Day, Columnist February 23, 2020

An Iowa House subcommittee recently advanced a bill that would require public schools to notify parents of any curricula that pertain to sexuality or gender identity. It would also give parents a choice...

The Democratic Primary Debate in Las Vegas, Nevada featured former NYC mayor Michael Bloomberg, who took the majority of attacks for the evening.

Opinion: Democrats can’t let Michael Bloomberg win the primary

Becca Bright, Columnist February 20, 2020

He’s a Manhattan businessman who became a politician. His name has become a headline — followed by racial targeting and at least several sexual-misconduct allegations. No, I’m not referring...

President Trump pauses during a speech at the Iowa GOP’s America First Dinner at the Ron Pearson Center in West Des Moines on June 11, 2019.

Opinion: The GOP’s climate strategy lacks an answer for fossil fuels

Elijah Helton, Opinions Editor February 20, 2020

As someone who writes a lot about climate change, I don’t usually have a lot of reasons for optimism. Sure, there’s Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg, the Sunrise Movement, and the proposed...

Zach Woods, left, and Will Ferrell in “Downhill.”

Opinion: Downhill looks at the complexity of relationships in a rather boring movie

Emily Creery, Contributor February 19, 2020

The ratings of the recently released film Downhill are going, well, downhill. Despite a well-intentioned, poorly executed American rendition of the Swedish classic Force Majeure, Julia Louis-Dreyfus...

Opinion: Dungeons & Dragons isn’t just for basement dwellers anymore

Opinion: Dungeons & Dragons isn’t just for basement dwellers anymore

Peyton Downing, Columnist February 19, 2020

As a longstanding fan of tabletop games, I’ve noticed that there’s a pervasive stereotype about them — the notion that only weird anti-social men play them. The chief example? Dungeons & Dragons. The...

Opinion: Moral luck deconstructs the logic of punishing underage drinking

Opinion: Moral luck deconstructs the logic of punishing underage drinking

Riley Moore, Columnist February 18, 2020

Suppose two 18-year-old students decide to consume copious amounts of liquor on a Friday night.  Further suppose one of these 18-year-olds, named Sally, drank liquor in her friend’s dorm room....

Outside MacBride Hall, one of the main sights of the Archive Crawl to be hosted Saturday Feb 24, 2018. The UI Main Library, The Natural History Museum in Macbride, the State Historical Society of Iowa and others will be celebrating local history through a day of tours, demonstrations, and lectures.

Opinion: Studying anthropology helps combat racism

Madison Lotenschtein, Arts Editor February 18, 2020

Shambaugh Auditorium’s seats filled with students before the event began. Some, such as myself, were eager to sit in the front row while others trailed off to the thoracic and lumbar parts of the...

Opinion: 'You' and 'The Stranger' depict obscene behavior, but provide important messages

Opinion: ‘You’ and ‘The Stranger’ depict obscene behavior, but provide important messages

Angela Stansbery, Columnist February 18, 2020

There are a lot of major topics that are often taken too lightly in our entertainment, even joked about or mocked. It’s like someone coincidentally running into their friend at the coffee shop and...

Opinion: BP doesn't deserve to be trusted on climate marketing

Opinion: BP doesn’t deserve to be trusted on climate marketing

Elijah Helton, Opinions Editor February 17, 2020

Oil and gas company BP announced that it will stop its “corporate reputation advertising,” apparently ending its greenwashing efforts.  While BP wants the public to think this is a win in the fight...

Voters wait to vote at the University of Iowa Library.

Opinion: Voter suppression should be a top target of Iowa Democrats

Becca Bright, Columnist February 16, 2020

February is the shortest month of the year. It’s also a month where American history is measured by what has been accomplished, and what is yet to be achieved. The first four presidential caucuses...