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Overall cost of Thanksgiving meal 5% lower than last year

The American Farm Bureau Federation report for 2025 shows Thanksgiving meal costs are down 5% from 2024. (Photo by Karsan Turner for Iowa Capital Dispatch)

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 […]

Iowa ag trade mission explores opportunities in Indonesia, strengthen ties in Vietnam

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig speaks with reporters at Terrace Hill following the gubernatorial pardoning of two turkeys Nov. 25, 2025. (Photo by Cami Koons/Iowa Capital Dispatch)

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 […]

Reynolds considers property tax freezes for seniors as part of 2026 plan

Gov. Kim Reynolds speaks with reporters outside of Terrace Hill in Des Moines Nov. 25, 2025. (Photo by Cami Koons/Iowa Capital Dispatch)

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 […]

Grinnell College joins community organizations in funding food support programs

Grinnell College is joining community organizations in donating money to food aid programs. (Photo courtesy of Grinnell College)

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 […]

2025 harvest complete in Iowa; producers hope to improve ag economy for 2026

Corn and soybean harvest is complete in Iowa. (Photo by Preston Keres/USDA)

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. […]

AI vs. AI: Patients deploy bots to battle health insurers that deny care

As states continue 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. (Photo by Anna Claire Vollers/Stateline)

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 […]

Lawmakers agree water quality is an issue in Iowa

The Iowa River flows through Iowa Falls Sept. 6, 2025. (Photo by Cami Koons/Iowa Capital Dispatch)

by Cami Koons, Iowa Capital Dispatch November 20, 2025 Republican and Democratic legislators agreed Thursday that water quality is a pressing issue in the state along with property taxes and public health – all of which will be necessary to balance as the Legislature returns in January. Water quality, cancer and conservation efforts in Iowa […]

Panelists at nature summit: Certain ag practices are harming public health

Audrey Tran Lam, left, speaks at the Iowa Nature Summit along with Dr. Richard Deming, Adam Shriver and Jennie Zwagerman at Drake University Nov. 19, 2025. (Photo by Cami Koons/Iowa Capital Dispatch)

by Cami Koons, Iowa Capital Dispatch November 19, 2025 Researchers and public health advocates said Wednesday that water quality and land use continue to be modifiable elements impacting public health, and in particular cancer, in Iowa. The experts spoke to a crowded conference room in the Olmsted Center at Drake University during the 2025 Iowa […]

National school bus driver shortage persists, despite recent gains

Officials remind drivers that passing a stopped school bus is illegal, and this year, the penalties for do so are increased. (photo by Ginger Allsup)

by Robbie Sequeira, Iowa Capital Dispatch November 14, 2025 School districts have made some progress in addressing the national shortage of school bus drivers, but there still aren’t as many drivers as there were in 2019, according to a new study. The number of drivers has increased by 2,300, or 1.1%, since last year, according […]

Iowa SNAP benefits will be fully available by Friday, state agency says

(Background photo by Cami Koons/Iowa Capital Dispatch; EBT card courtesy of the state of Iowa)

by Robin Opsahl, Iowa Capital Dispatch November 13, 2025 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits will be issued to Iowans by Friday, Nov. 14, following the end of the federal government shutdown, according to the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service directed the Iowa HHS to […]

             

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