Stories written by Freelance Writer
by Jacob Fischler, Iowa Capital Dispatch December 18, 2025 President Donald Trump signed an executive order Thursday to loosen federal restrictions on marijuana, which Trump said reflected the drug’s potential medical benefits while discouraging recreational use. The order moves cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III on the Federal Drug Administration’s list of controlled substances. Schedule […]
Dec 21 2025 | Posted in
National News |
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by Clark Kauffman, Iowa Capital Dispatch December 19, 2025 Iowa’s Office of Ombudsman, which investigates complaints related to local and state government, saw an almost 10% increase in cases opened during the last fiscal year. The agency’s annual report, published this week, indicates that during fiscal year 2025, the office opened 6,266 cases — a […]
Dec 21 2025 | Posted in
State News |
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by Cami Koons, Iowa Capital Dispatch December 2, 2025 Nitrate concentrations, exacerbated by a wet spring that followed years of dry conditions, reached near record highs in Iowa rivers this summer. Concentrations are typically elevated in the summer. The past several years, nitrates have dropped to near-zero concentrations in late summer through early winter. But […]
Dec 4 2025 | Posted in
State News |
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by Clark Kauffman, Iowa Capital Dispatch November 26, 2025 The City of Ottumwa’s fired director of community development is now suing the municipality for allegedly retaliating against him as a whistleblower. Zachary Simonson is suing the City of Ottumwa in U.S. District Court, alleging violations of his rights as a veteran and a whistleblower. Court […]
Dec 1 2025 | Posted in
State News |
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by Cami Koons, Iowa Capital Dispatch November 26, 2025 The cost of a classic Thanksgiving dinner set for 10 people, at $55.18, is 5% less than the cost in 2024, annual data from the American Farm Bureau Federation shows. While key meal items like turkey and dinner rolls decreased in price this year, fresh vegetables […]
by Cami Koons, Iowa Capital Dispatch November 25, 2025 Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig said his recent trade mission to southeast Asian countries revealed “exciting market” opportunities for a variety of agricultural products. Naig, speaking to reporters after the governor’s turkey pardoning Tuesday, said Thanksgiving is a “unique time” for Iowans to think about […]
Nov 27 2025 | Posted in
State News |
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by Cami Koons, Iowa Capital Dispatch November 25, 2025 Gov. Kim Reynolds said Tuesday that a property tax freeze for seniors is “one of the things” her campaign is looking at as it devises how to reduce property taxes in the state. Reynolds also spoke about the state’s request for a unified allocation of education […]
Nov 27 2025 | Posted in
State News |
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by Brooklyn Draisey, Iowa Capital Dispatch November 24, 2025 Grinnell College and other community organizations have earmarked tens of thousands of dollars to help those in the area impacted by paused food aid benefits. The private university announced in a news release last week it has committed $10,000 to the Grinnell Food Coalition, an initiative […]
Nov 26 2025 | Posted in
State News |
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by Cami Koons, Iowa Capital Dispatch November 24, 2025 The corn and soybean harvest is complete in Iowa, according to the final U.S. Department of Agriculture crop report. Producers, meanwhile, remain concerned about the cost of inputs, commodity prices and markets. The report said Iowa corn harvest, at 99% of acres harvested, is “virtually” complete. […]
by Anna Claire Vollers, Iowa Capital Dispatch November 21, 2025 As states strive to curb health insurers’ use of artificial intelligence, patients and doctors are arming themselves with AI tools to fight claims denials, prior authorizations and soaring medical bills. Several businesses and nonprofits have launched AI-powered tools to help patients get their insurance claims […]
