Douglas W. Burns
@douglaswburns.bsky.social
4th-generation Iowa journalist. Fmr. Carroll Times Herald owner. Writes The Iowa Mercury column on Substack. Founder Mercury Boost, advertising and PR
"Those of you outside of the Chicago area may not be tapped into the same news sources and accounts from friends."
"It’s ugly here."
Read more from Bonnie Schindler on the ground in Chicagoland as the streets there are ICE-ed up with fear, terror
theiowamercury.substack.com/p/fear-and-r...
"It’s ugly here."
Read more from Bonnie Schindler on the ground in Chicagoland as the streets there are ICE-ed up with fear, terror
theiowamercury.substack.com/p/fear-and-r...
Fear and reality on the ICE-ed streets of Chicago and its suburbs
'People need to know what is going on in the Chicago area. It could be coming to your location soon enough.'
theiowamercury.substack.com
November 4, 2025 at 12:25 AM
"Those of you outside of the Chicago area may not be tapped into the same news sources and accounts from friends."
"It’s ugly here."
Read more from Bonnie Schindler on the ground in Chicagoland as the streets there are ICE-ed up with fear, terror
theiowamercury.substack.com/p/fear-and-r...
"It’s ugly here."
Read more from Bonnie Schindler on the ground in Chicagoland as the streets there are ICE-ed up with fear, terror
theiowamercury.substack.com/p/fear-and-r...
Describing fellow western Iowa Democrat as 'wicked smart,' 'great, great' candidate Crawford County's Muhlbauer endorses Turek in U.S. Senate race
Describing fellow western Iowa Democrat as 'wicked smart,' 'great, great' candidate Crawford County's Muhlbauer endorses Turek in U.S. Senate race
MANILLA, Iowa —
open.substack.com
October 22, 2025 at 10:45 PM
Describing fellow western Iowa Democrat as 'wicked smart,' 'great, great' candidate Crawford County's Muhlbauer endorses Turek in U.S. Senate race
The author Peter Hedges suggests this:
“For turning his own troops on his own people, the Nobel Committee is pleased to award Donald J. Trump the 2025 Nobel Prize for War.”
open.substack.com/pub/peterhed...
“For turning his own troops on his own people, the Nobel Committee is pleased to award Donald J. Trump the 2025 Nobel Prize for War.”
open.substack.com/pub/peterhed...
And the Winner is ...
47 Ways Forward - Strategies for Navigating the Next Four Years
open.substack.com
October 11, 2025 at 2:01 PM
The author Peter Hedges suggests this:
“For turning his own troops on his own people, the Nobel Committee is pleased to award Donald J. Trump the 2025 Nobel Prize for War.”
open.substack.com/pub/peterhed...
“For turning his own troops on his own people, the Nobel Committee is pleased to award Donald J. Trump the 2025 Nobel Prize for War.”
open.substack.com/pub/peterhed...
Reposted by Douglas W. Burns
New post: @douglaswburns.bsky.social will interview Beth Macy @bethmacy.bsky.social about her new book, Paper Girl, at the Banned Books Festival in Des Moines this Saturday.
More on the event and this "powerhouse work of non-fiction" about rural America:
www.bleedingheartland.com/2025/10/09/b...
More on the event and this "powerhouse work of non-fiction" about rural America:
www.bleedingheartland.com/2025/10/09/b...
Beth Macy, author of 'Dopesick' and 'Paper Girl,' coming to Des Moines
Douglas Burns will interview Beth Macy about her new book, Paper Girl, at the Banned Books Festival in Des Moines.
www.bleedingheartland.com
October 9, 2025 at 5:56 PM
New post: @douglaswburns.bsky.social will interview Beth Macy @bethmacy.bsky.social about her new book, Paper Girl, at the Banned Books Festival in Des Moines this Saturday.
More on the event and this "powerhouse work of non-fiction" about rural America:
www.bleedingheartland.com/2025/10/09/b...
More on the event and this "powerhouse work of non-fiction" about rural America:
www.bleedingheartland.com/2025/10/09/b...
Through what political scientists might call a deep canvass into her own culturally polarized family in rural Ohio author Beth Macy gives us a riveting, devastating and call-to-action mirror into our nation with her extraordinary new book, “Paper Girl"
theiowamercury.substack.com/p/coming-to-...
theiowamercury.substack.com/p/coming-to-...
October 9, 2025 at 4:09 PM
Through what political scientists might call a deep canvass into her own culturally polarized family in rural Ohio author Beth Macy gives us a riveting, devastating and call-to-action mirror into our nation with her extraordinary new book, “Paper Girl"
theiowamercury.substack.com/p/coming-to-...
theiowamercury.substack.com/p/coming-to-...
'Very ignorant people' cheerleading demise of family farms in Trump-supporting reaches of rural America —writes Irene Lin in a column in The Iowa Mercury
'Very ignorant people' cheerleading demise of family farms in Trump-supporting reaches of rural America
By IRENE LIN
theiowamercury.substack.com
September 21, 2025 at 8:34 PM
'Very ignorant people' cheerleading demise of family farms in Trump-supporting reaches of rural America —writes Irene Lin in a column in The Iowa Mercury
Iowa U.S. Senate candidate Jackie Norris asks why flags lowered for Charlie Kirk but not for kids massacred in school shootings
open.substack.com/pub/theiowam...
open.substack.com/pub/theiowam...
Iowa U.S. Senate candidate Norris asks why flags lowered for Charlie Kirk but not massacred school kids
Senate candidates discuss political violence fallout, their own security considerations
open.substack.com
September 14, 2025 at 3:07 AM
Iowa U.S. Senate candidate Jackie Norris asks why flags lowered for Charlie Kirk but not for kids massacred in school shootings
open.substack.com/pub/theiowam...
open.substack.com/pub/theiowam...
The difference between cult leaders Donald Trump and Jim Jones is … there is no difference. Their followers know the Kool-Aid is poisoned and drink it anyway. I guess Jones at least told them.
August 27, 2025 at 8:31 PM
The difference between cult leaders Donald Trump and Jim Jones is … there is no difference. Their followers know the Kool-Aid is poisoned and drink it anyway. I guess Jones at least told them.
Reposted by Douglas W. Burns
I talked with @douglaswburns.bsky.social & the Iowa Mercury about how Trump's takeover of DC policing is meant to impose the far-right agenda on blue cities rather than actually reduce crime; and how it will counterintuitively make DC statehood more likely theiowamercury.substack.com/p/from-withi...
From within federal 'occupation' of DC, shadow senator sees energy, momentum for statehood, an unintended Trump legacy
He's a United States senator.
theiowamercury.substack.com
August 27, 2025 at 2:58 PM
I talked with @douglaswburns.bsky.social & the Iowa Mercury about how Trump's takeover of DC policing is meant to impose the far-right agenda on blue cities rather than actually reduce crime; and how it will counterintuitively make DC statehood more likely theiowamercury.substack.com/p/from-withi...
Shot by police in a park, homeless immigrant in Denison, Iowa died wearing a friend's clothes
Friends said Feglys Campos lost his job because of the Trump administration's elimination of a humanitarian work program for Cuban, Haitian, Nicaraguan, Venezuelan nationals in the United States.
Friends said Feglys Campos lost his job because of the Trump administration's elimination of a humanitarian work program for Cuban, Haitian, Nicaraguan, Venezuelan nationals in the United States.
Shot by police in a park, homeless immigrant in Denison died wearing a friend's clothes
(Editor’s Note: La Prensa Iowa Spanish Newspaper first published this story in both English and Spanish.
theiowamercury.substack.com
August 21, 2025 at 12:41 AM
Shot by police in a park, homeless immigrant in Denison, Iowa died wearing a friend's clothes
Friends said Feglys Campos lost his job because of the Trump administration's elimination of a humanitarian work program for Cuban, Haitian, Nicaraguan, Venezuelan nationals in the United States.
Friends said Feglys Campos lost his job because of the Trump administration's elimination of a humanitarian work program for Cuban, Haitian, Nicaraguan, Venezuelan nationals in the United States.
The National Guard didn’t come to protect U.S. Capitol Police officers like Harry Dunn during the Jan. 6 insurrection. He survived that day, and protected members of Congress.
Now, Dunn sees The Guard, deployed by President Trump, in everyday DC.
theiowamercury.substack.com/p/jan-6-capi...
Now, Dunn sees The Guard, deployed by President Trump, in everyday DC.
theiowamercury.substack.com/p/jan-6-capi...
Jan. 6 Capitol officer says National Guard that wasn't there for him now ordered by Trump to run 'test case' in DC to turn nation into police state
The Iowa Mercury interviews former U.S. Capitol Police Officer Harry Dunn
theiowamercury.substack.com
August 16, 2025 at 9:54 PM
The National Guard didn’t come to protect U.S. Capitol Police officers like Harry Dunn during the Jan. 6 insurrection. He survived that day, and protected members of Congress.
Now, Dunn sees The Guard, deployed by President Trump, in everyday DC.
theiowamercury.substack.com/p/jan-6-capi...
Now, Dunn sees The Guard, deployed by President Trump, in everyday DC.
theiowamercury.substack.com/p/jan-6-capi...
This is an inspiring, powerful ad. One of more soaring political ads I’ve seen in my career.
youtu.be/kCD3vVVAa7U?...
youtu.be/kCD3vVVAa7U?...
Josh Turek - Underdog
YouTube video by Josh Turek
youtu.be
August 13, 2025 at 12:19 AM
This is an inspiring, powerful ad. One of more soaring political ads I’ve seen in my career.
youtu.be/kCD3vVVAa7U?...
youtu.be/kCD3vVVAa7U?...
In one of his Iowa Statehouse campaigns Josh Turek climbed and "crawled"while he dragged his wheelchair behind him — the latter his own description — to 14,000 doors in Iowa House District 20. He won the seat by just six votes — 3,403 to 3,397.
youtu.be/kCD3vVVAa7U?...
youtu.be/kCD3vVVAa7U?...
Josh Turek - Underdog
YouTube video by Josh Turek
youtu.be
August 13, 2025 at 12:11 AM
In one of his Iowa Statehouse campaigns Josh Turek climbed and "crawled"while he dragged his wheelchair behind him — the latter his own description — to 14,000 doors in Iowa House District 20. He won the seat by just six votes — 3,403 to 3,397.
youtu.be/kCD3vVVAa7U?...
youtu.be/kCD3vVVAa7U?...
“I’ve seen families calling on their ‘white’ friends to come with them to the grocery store, as if proximity to safety could somehow shield them from being targeted, says Maria Torres, founder and CEO of The CommUnity Project in Council Bluffs, Iowa.
Frightened Latino immigrants ask 'white' friends to go to grocery with them, advocate says
'As if proximity to safety could somehow shield them from being targeted,' Maria Torres of Council Bluffs, Iowa, adds
open.substack.com
July 28, 2025 at 5:56 PM
“I’ve seen families calling on their ‘white’ friends to come with them to the grocery store, as if proximity to safety could somehow shield them from being targeted, says Maria Torres, founder and CEO of The CommUnity Project in Council Bluffs, Iowa.
Waking around downtown Omaha after a breakfast interview with Harry Dunn — Capitol Police officer who protected Congress during Jan. 6 insurrection. We stopped in Raygun store here before heading to Council Bluffs, Iowa for Dunn’s major speech this afternoon. @libradunn1.bsky.social
July 27, 2025 at 4:55 PM
Waking around downtown Omaha after a breakfast interview with Harry Dunn — Capitol Police officer who protected Congress during Jan. 6 insurrection. We stopped in Raygun store here before heading to Council Bluffs, Iowa for Dunn’s major speech this afternoon. @libradunn1.bsky.social
Watching the Trump Cult attempt to adapt in real time is like seeing domesticated animals being dropped into the wild.
Can Trump Cult hold in rural Iowa over next six weeks with clear Epstein dodging, delayed farm action central to life here?
One of the more confusing roles for an American to inhabit today is that of a Trump Cult member.
theiowamercury.substack.com
July 22, 2025 at 9:17 PM
Watching the Trump Cult attempt to adapt in real time is like seeing domesticated animals being dropped into the wild.
'I've been through hell' says Jan. 6 Capitol Police officer slated to keynote Council Bluffs, Iowa political event
Harry Dunn says prospect of full-scale slaughter of elected officials, some of nation's top leaders, was within feet, an instant here or there
Harry Dunn says prospect of full-scale slaughter of elected officials, some of nation's top leaders, was within feet, an instant here or there
'I've been through hell' says Jan. 6 Capitol Police officer slated to keynote Council Bluffs, Iowa political event
Harry Dunn says prospect of full-scale slaughter of elected officials, some of nation's top leaders, was within feet, an instant here or there, in run of events, from happening during insurrection
theiowamercury.substack.com
July 19, 2025 at 10:13 PM
'I've been through hell' says Jan. 6 Capitol Police officer slated to keynote Council Bluffs, Iowa political event
Harry Dunn says prospect of full-scale slaughter of elected officials, some of nation's top leaders, was within feet, an instant here or there
Harry Dunn says prospect of full-scale slaughter of elected officials, some of nation's top leaders, was within feet, an instant here or there
Donald Trump is American carbon monoxide
All dignity shedded, the White House likely will have 'ring girls' at cage fights for the America 250 celebration
theiowamercury.substack.com/p/donald-tru...
All dignity shedded, the White House likely will have 'ring girls' at cage fights for the America 250 celebration
theiowamercury.substack.com/p/donald-tru...
Donald Trump, American carbon monoxide
All dignity shedded, the White House likely will have 'ring girls' at cage fights for the America 250 celebration
theiowamercury.substack.com
July 9, 2025 at 11:32 PM
Donald Trump is American carbon monoxide
All dignity shedded, the White House likely will have 'ring girls' at cage fights for the America 250 celebration
theiowamercury.substack.com/p/donald-tru...
All dignity shedded, the White House likely will have 'ring girls' at cage fights for the America 250 celebration
theiowamercury.substack.com/p/donald-tru...
Reposted by Douglas W. Burns
New post: Douglas Burns @douglaswburns.bsky.social attended the America 250 event at the Iowa State Fairgrounds and shares his impressions from President Trump's speech.
www.bleedingheartland.com/2025/07/05/t...
www.bleedingheartland.com/2025/07/05/t...
Ten takeaways from Trump's "America 250" speech in Des Moines
Douglas Burns attended the America 250 event at the Iowa State Fairgrounds and shares his impressions from President Trump's speech.
www.bleedingheartland.com
July 6, 2025 at 3:14 AM
New post: Douglas Burns @douglaswburns.bsky.social attended the America 250 event at the Iowa State Fairgrounds and shares his impressions from President Trump's speech.
www.bleedingheartland.com/2025/07/05/t...
www.bleedingheartland.com/2025/07/05/t...
Trump said he plans to create an exemption for undocumented workers in agriculture if farmers vouch for them. He laid out no criteria for how farmers could, in essence, save immigrants from deportation for no other reason, seemingly, than they employ them or even just know them.
And 9 other takes
And 9 other takes
10 takeaways from Trump's 'America 250' speech in Des Moines on Fourth Of July eve
With Sinatra swagger, Trump said he wants farmers empowered to vouch for undocumented immigrants to spare them deportation
theiowamercury.substack.com
July 5, 2025 at 12:23 AM
Trump said he plans to create an exemption for undocumented workers in agriculture if farmers vouch for them. He laid out no criteria for how farmers could, in essence, save immigrants from deportation for no other reason, seemingly, than they employ them or even just know them.
And 9 other takes
And 9 other takes
Speaking in Des Moines, Iowa tonight about nation’s 250th celebration planning President Trump says, “We’re going to have a UFC fight on the grounds of the White House.”
July 4, 2025 at 1:13 AM
Speaking in Des Moines, Iowa tonight about nation’s 250th celebration planning President Trump says, “We’re going to have a UFC fight on the grounds of the White House.”
The credentialed lot of authors of AI, having lived and worked, dreamed and dared, behind the early curtains of this now mainstreamed but ever-mysterious technology, have released one forecast that near-horizons human holocaust. Total extinction.
We'll all be dead by 2030, credentialed forecast on artificial intelligence predicts
'Earth-born civilization has a glorious future ahead of it — but not with us'
open.substack.com
June 1, 2025 at 5:59 PM
The credentialed lot of authors of AI, having lived and worked, dreamed and dared, behind the early curtains of this now mainstreamed but ever-mysterious technology, have released one forecast that near-horizons human holocaust. Total extinction.
Why progressive women are so inspiring to us personally and the nation.
Happy Mother’s Day!
Happy Mother’s Day!
10 walks in a lifetime with my progressive mom
Bugs Bunny broke the news.
open.substack.com
May 11, 2025 at 1:44 PM
Why progressive women are so inspiring to us personally and the nation.
Happy Mother’s Day!
Happy Mother’s Day!
Reposted by Douglas W. Burns
Iowa Supreme Court ruled today that the League of United Latin American Citizens does NOT have standing to challenge a 2008 injunction that prevents voter materials from being printed in languages other than English.
Unanimous 5-0 decision with 2 justices recusing:
www.iowacourts.gov/courtcases/2...
Unanimous 5-0 decision with 2 justices recusing:
www.iowacourts.gov/courtcases/2...
www.iowacourts.gov
May 9, 2025 at 1:48 PM
Iowa Supreme Court ruled today that the League of United Latin American Citizens does NOT have standing to challenge a 2008 injunction that prevents voter materials from being printed in languages other than English.
Unanimous 5-0 decision with 2 justices recusing:
www.iowacourts.gov/courtcases/2...
Unanimous 5-0 decision with 2 justices recusing:
www.iowacourts.gov/courtcases/2...
Robust discussion on film "Sinners" with Emmy Award-wining producer Nik Heftman and author-historian Rachelle Chase.
Some deep and meaningful takes about this exceptional film.
@sinnersmovie.bsky.social
Some deep and meaningful takes about this exceptional film.
@sinnersmovie.bsky.social
'Sinners' movie experience with Dana James, Rachelle Chase (Part 2). Nik and Doug's America
Episode 9
open.substack.com
May 5, 2025 at 4:31 PM
Robust discussion on film "Sinners" with Emmy Award-wining producer Nik Heftman and author-historian Rachelle Chase.
Some deep and meaningful takes about this exceptional film.
@sinnersmovie.bsky.social
Some deep and meaningful takes about this exceptional film.
@sinnersmovie.bsky.social