When Iowa Field Report launched in 2020, there was nothing else like it. Looking at the Iowa media landscape in 2026, that remains true.
For decades, the left held a near-monopoly on the “news” in this state. Legacy outlets like the Des Moines Register and the Gazette operated as a protected class—railroading conservatives, ignoring facts that didn’t fit the narrative, and assuming the status quo would last forever.
But the tactics have changed. Iowa is now seeing the rise of “pink slime” journalism—progressive outlets like Iowa Starting Line (now part of the Soros-backed Courier Newsroom) and Iowa Capital Dispatch (part of States Newsroom). These operations wrap themselves in the flag of “non-partisan reporting” while quietly carrying water for the political left. They aren’t just reporting; they are operatives with their fingers on the scale.
Let’s Go
The site hasn’t been updated regularly for a while. To be blunt: life got busy. But watching the Iowa media landscape continue to deteriorate made it clear that staying on the sidelines, no matter how busy, was no longer an option.
Let’s be clear: IFR doesn’t pretend to be “journalistic” in the traditional sense. There are no fancy degrees here and no need for the secret handshake. But as the record shows—from breaking the Mike Franken assault report and Sonya Heitshusen’s arrest to leading the state on fundraising analysis—a journalism degree isn’t required to report accurately. IFR has scooped traditional outlets not just across Iowa, but across the country. Frankly, no one has documented the blatant narcissism and hypocrisy of certain state officials with the same consistency.
The media establishment tried their best to keep the doors locked. The Iowa Capitol Press Association even changed its bylaws specifically to kick IFR out of the “club” for being too political. It turns out, in the eyes of the legacy media, being an operative and donating tens of thousands of dollars to candidates—the Laura Belin model—is perfectly fine as long as the “pretend” is convincing enough.
A Different Focus
When this project started, a few “Rando” blogs popped up on the right. Some are still around, but they often seem more interested in circular firing squads and purity tests than in providing the news that matters. Calling out low-quality primary challengers or the occasional nut job is sometimes necessary, but it shouldn’t be the core mission.
The difference is that Iowa Field Report focuses on the political news and commentary that impacts Iowans. While others bickered, IFR was providing the context on the historic policy victories being won in the statehouse: massive tax cuts, parental rights in education, and a state government that finally respects the taxpayer.
What’s Next
The site will look a little different. The layout is being tinkered with, features are being updated, and the foundation is being set for a wild 2026 cycle. It won’t look the same as before—it’s going to be better.
IFR isn’t here to play “purity” games, and it sure as hell isn’t here to let the liberal media monopoly go unchallenged. The goal is to report accurately, provide the accountability that the mainstream refuses to, and have a laugh at the expense of the hypocrites along the way.
The team is glad to have you back. Stick around—things are just getting started.
