Brad VanGorkom LISW
@harmonicfamily.bsky.social
Family man, child trauma therapist, musician, philosopher. Music makes families better!
Reposted by Brad VanGorkom LISW
Thread: I'm at the Polk County courthouse, where a hearing is starting at 9 am in Donald Trump's lawsuit against the Des Moines Register and its longtime pollster, Ann Selzer.
This hearing's about a procedural motion, not merits of the case. 1/
This hearing's about a procedural motion, not merits of the case. 1/
January 30, 2026 at 2:49 PM
Thread: I'm at the Polk County courthouse, where a hearing is starting at 9 am in Donald Trump's lawsuit against the Des Moines Register and its longtime pollster, Ann Selzer.
This hearing's about a procedural motion, not merits of the case. 1/
This hearing's about a procedural motion, not merits of the case. 1/
Reposted by Brad VanGorkom LISW
Today Iowa House Republicans announced a package of "tough on crime" bills. Watch State Representatives Steven Holt (Judiciary Committee chair), Mike Vondran (Public Safety chair) and Charley Thomson (Government Oversight chair) explain bills and answer reporter Qs:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=c5kC...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=c5kC...
Iowa House Republicans unveil "tough on crime" package
YouTube video by Bleeding Heartland
www.youtube.com
January 28, 2026 at 7:20 PM
Today Iowa House Republicans announced a package of "tough on crime" bills. Watch State Representatives Steven Holt (Judiciary Committee chair), Mike Vondran (Public Safety chair) and Charley Thomson (Government Oversight chair) explain bills and answer reporter Qs:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=c5kC...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=c5kC...
Reposted by Brad VanGorkom LISW
1. So, an interesting thing about Minneapolis' response to DHS is that it showcases how pushback to Trump's mass deportation efforts developed and expanded over time — and how it involved religious leaders throughout.
Let me explain…
Let me explain…
January 28, 2026 at 9:08 PM
1. So, an interesting thing about Minneapolis' response to DHS is that it showcases how pushback to Trump's mass deportation efforts developed and expanded over time — and how it involved religious leaders throughout.
Let me explain…
Let me explain…
Reposted by Brad VanGorkom LISW
"When I came in today, I wanted to give the one-finger salute to our welcoming committee" (the protesters outside)
January 27, 2026 at 8:51 PM
"When I came in today, I wanted to give the one-finger salute to our welcoming committee" (the protesters outside)
Reposted by Brad VanGorkom LISW
Under two proposed models, Johnson STEAM Academy is listed as one of the elementary schools that could close. Johnson parents, teachers, staff and even students spoke during public comment, championing their school and boasting about academic gains. www.thegazette.com/k/viable-opt...
Cedar Rapids school board hears two new school consolidation proposals
Closing a high school or moving to a fifth through eighth grade middle school model are two additional "viable" options for how the Cedar Rapids school district could consolidate and close schools in ...
www.thegazette.com
January 27, 2026 at 6:43 PM
Under two proposed models, Johnson STEAM Academy is listed as one of the elementary schools that could close. Johnson parents, teachers, staff and even students spoke during public comment, championing their school and boasting about academic gains. www.thegazette.com/k/viable-opt...
Reposted by Brad VanGorkom LISW
Iowa Sens. Zach Wahls, D-Coralville and David Sires, R-Cedar Falls, told reporters Wednesday there is bipartisan interest in taking action to stop anonymous, corporate influence in Iowa elections, Robin Opsahl reports.
Senators introduce state constitutional amendment overturning Citizens United • Iowa Capital Dispatch
The bipartisan proposed constitutional amendment is a "state-based response" to the 2010 U.S. Supreme Court decision in Citizens United.
iowacapitaldispatch.com
January 22, 2026 at 12:00 AM
Iowa Sens. Zach Wahls, D-Coralville and David Sires, R-Cedar Falls, told reporters Wednesday there is bipartisan interest in taking action to stop anonymous, corporate influence in Iowa elections, Robin Opsahl reports.
Reposted by Brad VanGorkom LISW
A recent study prepared for the Iowa corn and ethanol industries predicts that without expanded markets, the “best days for corn growers are in the past," Cami Koons reports.
Study: Iowa corn and ethanol industry will 'continue downward trend' without new market access • Iowa Capital Dispatch
A recent study of Iowa corn and ethanol industries predicts that without expanded markets, the “best days for corn growers are in the past.”
iowacapitaldispatch.com
January 21, 2026 at 9:20 PM
A recent study prepared for the Iowa corn and ethanol industries predicts that without expanded markets, the “best days for corn growers are in the past," Cami Koons reports.
Reposted by Brad VanGorkom LISW
A 23-year-old Iowa man who has lived in the United States since he was a year old was detained by federal immigration agents and jailed in Muscatine County while being unlawfully denied a bond hearing, a federal judge has ruled, Clark Kauffman reports.
Ad for 'deportation judges' cited in Iowa case of an immigration detainee • Iowa Capital Dispatch
A man who has lived in Iowa since he was a year old was unlawfully denied a bond hearing while detained by ICE, a judge has ruled.
iowacapitaldispatch.com
January 20, 2026 at 11:15 PM
A 23-year-old Iowa man who has lived in the United States since he was a year old was detained by federal immigration agents and jailed in Muscatine County while being unlawfully denied a bond hearing, a federal judge has ruled, Clark Kauffman reports.
Reposted by Brad VanGorkom LISW
Via @bmietana.bsky.social: Cities Church in Minnesota is considering legal options after anti-ICE protest.
A surprising detail in here: Joe Rigney, author of the book "Sin of Empathy," is calling himself a founding pastor of this church. religionnews.com/2026/01/20/c...
A surprising detail in here: Joe Rigney, author of the book "Sin of Empathy," is calling himself a founding pastor of this church. religionnews.com/2026/01/20/c...
Cities Church in Minnesota is considering legal options after anti-ICE protest
(RNS) — Southern Baptist leaders say the protest was a violation of religious freedom and called on federal officials to protect churches.
religionnews.com
January 21, 2026 at 2:06 AM
Via @bmietana.bsky.social: Cities Church in Minnesota is considering legal options after anti-ICE protest.
A surprising detail in here: Joe Rigney, author of the book "Sin of Empathy," is calling himself a founding pastor of this church. religionnews.com/2026/01/20/c...
A surprising detail in here: Joe Rigney, author of the book "Sin of Empathy," is calling himself a founding pastor of this church. religionnews.com/2026/01/20/c...
Reposted by Brad VanGorkom LISW
ICYMI: A joint statement from the heads of the Evangelical Lutheran Churches in America, Canada and Denmark calling for political leaders to “respect the independence of Greenland and the Greenlandic people.”
It’s nothing, given that ~95% of Greenland is Lutheran. www.elca.org/news-and-eve...
It’s nothing, given that ~95% of Greenland is Lutheran. www.elca.org/news-and-eve...
Canada, Denmark, U.S. Lutheran bishops issue joint statement supporting Greenlandic people
www.elca.org
January 19, 2026 at 10:35 PM
ICYMI: A joint statement from the heads of the Evangelical Lutheran Churches in America, Canada and Denmark calling for political leaders to “respect the independence of Greenland and the Greenlandic people.”
It’s nothing, given that ~95% of Greenland is Lutheran. www.elca.org/news-and-eve...
It’s nothing, given that ~95% of Greenland is Lutheran. www.elca.org/news-and-eve...
Reposted by Brad VanGorkom LISW
There are debatable exceptions, but as a historical and theological matter, no, most likely would not.
Some Founding Fathers were deists. Some were Quakers. Others were Presbyterians who wrote a lot about religious freedom.
And some were, uh, Thomas Paine (here in a later edition of Common Sense):
Some Founding Fathers were deists. Some were Quakers. Others were Presbyterians who wrote a lot about religious freedom.
And some were, uh, Thomas Paine (here in a later edition of Common Sense):
January 11, 2026 at 3:10 AM
There are debatable exceptions, but as a historical and theological matter, no, most likely would not.
Some Founding Fathers were deists. Some were Quakers. Others were Presbyterians who wrote a lot about religious freedom.
And some were, uh, Thomas Paine (here in a later edition of Common Sense):
Some Founding Fathers were deists. Some were Quakers. Others were Presbyterians who wrote a lot about religious freedom.
And some were, uh, Thomas Paine (here in a later edition of Common Sense):
Reposted by Brad VanGorkom LISW
NEW from me: My dispatch from two different events in DC marking the fifth anniversary of Jan 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol.
Both leaned heavily on religion, and both appealed to divine truths about that day.
The thing is: their truths were…very different. religionnews.com/2026/01/06/t...
Both leaned heavily on religion, and both appealed to divine truths about that day.
The thing is: their truths were…very different. religionnews.com/2026/01/06/t...
January 7, 2026 at 12:24 AM
NEW from me: My dispatch from two different events in DC marking the fifth anniversary of Jan 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol.
Both leaned heavily on religion, and both appealed to divine truths about that day.
The thing is: their truths were…very different. religionnews.com/2026/01/06/t...
Both leaned heavily on religion, and both appealed to divine truths about that day.
The thing is: their truths were…very different. religionnews.com/2026/01/06/t...
Reposted by Brad VanGorkom LISW
Bible Bricks is one of a number of Lego-compatible bricks tapping a market for offline toys inspired by biblical figures and events.
religionnews.com/2025/12/22/r...
religionnews.com/2025/12/22/r...
Religious-themed brick sets hold appeal for both children and adults in digital age
(RNS) — Faith-based companies making Lego-compatible building blocks are tapping a market for offline toys inspired by biblical figures and events.
religionnews.com
January 1, 2026 at 4:30 PM
Bible Bricks is one of a number of Lego-compatible bricks tapping a market for offline toys inspired by biblical figures and events.
religionnews.com/2025/12/22/r...
religionnews.com/2025/12/22/r...
Reposted by Brad VanGorkom LISW
The end of ACA enhanced premium tax credits, and an average out-of-pocket premium increase of 114% for 22 million people, has been hypothetical. Now it is real.
December 31, 2025 at 8:20 PM
The end of ACA enhanced premium tax credits, and an average out-of-pocket premium increase of 114% for 22 million people, has been hypothetical. Now it is real.
Reposted by Brad VanGorkom LISW
Here's how Iowa's $209 million award compares to the amount received by other states. iowacapitaldispatch.com/2025/12/29/r...
Alaska, Montana, Oklahoma crack top five in first rural hospital funding allocation • Iowa Capital Dispatch
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump’s administration unveiled Monday hundreds of millions of dollars each state will receive this fiscal year as part of a massive $50 billion rural health fund baked i...
iowacapitaldispatch.com
December 29, 2025 at 11:17 PM
Here's how Iowa's $209 million award compares to the amount received by other states. iowacapitaldispatch.com/2025/12/29/r...
Reposted by Brad VanGorkom LISW
“A lot of us grew up with Legos and understand how fun they are,” said Sean Sutton, a 28-year-old entrepreneur who was raised in the Southern Baptist church. “I think people are hungry for high-quality religious sets.”
religionnews.com/2025/12/22/r...
religionnews.com/2025/12/22/r...
Religious-themed brick sets hold appeal for both children and adults in digital age
(RNS) — Faith-based companies making Lego-compatible building blocks are tapping a market for offline toys inspired by biblical figures and events.
religionnews.com
December 23, 2025 at 8:00 PM
“A lot of us grew up with Legos and understand how fun they are,” said Sean Sutton, a 28-year-old entrepreneur who was raised in the Southern Baptist church. “I think people are hungry for high-quality religious sets.”
religionnews.com/2025/12/22/r...
religionnews.com/2025/12/22/r...
Reposted by Brad VanGorkom LISW
Y’all know we have a tool for finding exactly these kinds of bad redactions, right? free.law/open-source-...
December 23, 2025 at 5:12 AM
Y’all know we have a tool for finding exactly these kinds of bad redactions, right? free.law/open-source-...
Reposted by Brad VanGorkom LISW
Social workers nationwide directed furious complaints toward their national association, demanding accountability, transparency and an external review of finances, Kansas Reflector reports.
Social workers question spending, standards and 'harmful dynamics' at national association • Iowa Capital Dispatch
Social workers nationwide directed furious complaints toward their national association, demanding accountability, transparency.
iowacapitaldispatch.com
December 23, 2025 at 6:03 PM
Social workers nationwide directed furious complaints toward their national association, demanding accountability, transparency and an external review of finances, Kansas Reflector reports.
Reposted by Brad VanGorkom LISW
Seth Watkins' family health insurance premiums are about to go up from around $600 a month to around $2,300 a month, with a $9,200 deductible per person.
A lot of Iowa farmers are in a similar situation.
Watch the Iowa Farmers Union news conference from today:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=y14H...
A lot of Iowa farmers are in a similar situation.
Watch the Iowa Farmers Union news conference from today:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=y14H...
Iowa Farmers Union Press Conference: Affordable Care Act
YouTube video by Iowa Farmers Union
www.youtube.com
December 15, 2025 at 9:51 PM
Seth Watkins' family health insurance premiums are about to go up from around $600 a month to around $2,300 a month, with a $9,200 deductible per person.
A lot of Iowa farmers are in a similar situation.
Watch the Iowa Farmers Union news conference from today:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=y14H...
A lot of Iowa farmers are in a similar situation.
Watch the Iowa Farmers Union news conference from today:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=y14H...
Reposted by Brad VanGorkom LISW
Army identifies 2 Iowa National Guardsmen killed in Syria attack trib.al/ADG0vaE
Army identifies 2 Iowa National Guardsmen killed in Syria attack
The two soldiers and a U.S. interpreter were killed during a “key leader engagement.” Three others were wounded in the attack.
trib.al
December 15, 2025 at 4:50 PM
Army identifies 2 Iowa National Guardsmen killed in Syria attack trib.al/ADG0vaE
Reposted by Brad VanGorkom LISW
“…[I]t’s hard to hear story after story of people being failed by hospitals, agencies, and professionals we trust to help,” guest columnist Leslie Carpenter writes via Iowa Writers’ Collaborative.
The mental health crisis calls I dread — and why I keep answering them • Iowa Capital Dispatch
"... [I]t's hard to hear story after story of people being failed by hospitals, agencies, and professionals we trust to help."
iowacapitaldispatch.com
December 12, 2025 at 5:06 PM
“…[I]t’s hard to hear story after story of people being failed by hospitals, agencies, and professionals we trust to help,” guest columnist Leslie Carpenter writes via Iowa Writers’ Collaborative.
Reposted by Brad VanGorkom LISW
OPINION: We surveyed 849 professional Santas who live across the U.S. and interviewed 53 of them, collecting data between 2018 and 2021. We identified three types of professional Santas: prototypical, semi-prototypical and nonprototypical.
religionnews.com/2025/11/26/w...
religionnews.com/2025/11/26/w...
What makes a true Santa is inside – and comes with the red suit
(The Conversation) — A survey of 849 professional Santas found that one-third of them don’t match the usual image of a roly-poly bearded white man.
religionnews.com
December 7, 2025 at 1:00 AM
OPINION: We surveyed 849 professional Santas who live across the U.S. and interviewed 53 of them, collecting data between 2018 and 2021. We identified three types of professional Santas: prototypical, semi-prototypical and nonprototypical.
religionnews.com/2025/11/26/w...
religionnews.com/2025/11/26/w...
Reposted by Brad VanGorkom LISW
Sick of the same old #Christmas songs? Reggae, metal and pop punk have some wild alternatives.
Tired of the same old Christmas songs? So were these countercultural carolers
Roots reggae, thrash metal and pop punk add new layers to familiar holiday tropes.
buff.ly
December 5, 2025 at 7:48 PM
Sick of the same old #Christmas songs? Reggae, metal and pop punk have some wild alternatives.
Reposted by Brad VanGorkom LISW
In a rare spot of good news from federal CMS, the Iowa Medicaid 1115 waiver (this is their Medicaid expansion) was just extended for 1 year and the waiver of the important non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT) benefit will sunset 12/31/26.
medicaid.gov/medicaid/sec...
medicaid.gov/medicaid/sec...
medicaid.gov
December 1, 2025 at 5:43 PM
In a rare spot of good news from federal CMS, the Iowa Medicaid 1115 waiver (this is their Medicaid expansion) was just extended for 1 year and the waiver of the important non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT) benefit will sunset 12/31/26.
medicaid.gov/medicaid/sec...
medicaid.gov/medicaid/sec...
Reposted by Brad VanGorkom LISW
KFF's estimate that out-of-pocket ACA premiums will increase if enhanced tax credits expire by an average of 114% has been widely reported. But, it varies a lot, especially by income. Here's what increases look like in dollar terms -- from $378 at $18,000 to $1,836 at $45,000.
November 11, 2025 at 3:47 PM
KFF's estimate that out-of-pocket ACA premiums will increase if enhanced tax credits expire by an average of 114% has been widely reported. But, it varies a lot, especially by income. Here's what increases look like in dollar terms -- from $378 at $18,000 to $1,836 at $45,000.