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Iowa bill would expand raw milk, cottage food sales and farm-to-table meals

An Iowa House subcommittee advanced language that would expand the sale of raw milk, in addition to creating an annual license for farm-to-table events. (Photo by Cami Koons/Iowa Capital Dispatch)

by Cami Koons, Iowa Capital Dispatch February 18, 2026 A bill that advanced from a House subcommittee Wednesday would create an event permit for farm-to-table meals, expand the permissible sales of raw milk and allow cottage foods to be sold in grocery stores. House File 2444 was introduced by Rep. Chad Ingels, R-Randalia, who said […]

Senators advance bill to prevent state government shutdowns

Iowa Sen. Ken Rozenboom, R-Oskaloosa, led a subcommittee meeting Feb. 18, 2026 on continuing state appropriations in years where the Iowa Legislature does not approve a budget by the new fiscal year. (Photo by Robin Opsahl/Iowa Capital Dispatch)

by Robin Opsahl, Iowa Capital Dispatch February 18, 2026 Iowa could avoid state government shutdowns if the Legislature does not pass a budget before the next fiscal year starts under a measure advanced by a Senate subcommittee and committee Wednesday. Senate Study Bill 3176 would establish a continuing appropriation for fiscal years when the Iowa […]

New state report lists more than 700 impaired waters in Iowa

A family swims in the Raccoon River where it flows through Walnut Woods State Park in West Des Moines in October 2025. (Photo by Cami Koons/Iowa Capital Dispatch)

by Cami Koons, Iowa Capital Dispatch February 17, 2026 The Iowa Department of Natural Resources released a draft version of its 2026 biennial integrated report Tuesday, which listed more than 700 segments of rivers, lakes or wetlands in the state as impaired. The impaired list looks at retroactive data and determines if a water segment […]

CONCLUSION OF THE 1904 SEASON

Oskaloosa Quakers baseball team picture. (archive image)

by Mike Comfort Criticism of the umpires continued as the season marched to its end. In July, Redmond, the former Ottumwa pitcher who had been hired to umpire during the season after complaints about other umpires, was released by President Norton. In his spot he hired none other than William Tiley, who had just recently […]

Criminal justice is a top issue in state legislatures this year

Barbed wire and fences surround the Charles H. Hickey Jr. School, a juvenile detention center in Maryland. Juvenile justice is one of the focuses of criminal justice legislation nationwide this year, including in Maryland, where lawmakers are considering a bill that would reduce the number of juveniles charged as adults. (Photo by Amanda Watford/Stateline)

by Amanda Watford, Iowa Capital Dispatch February 14, 2026 Criminal justice has emerged as one of the most wide-ranging and politically charged areas on lawmakers’ agendas in this year’s state legislative sessions. Across the country, legislators are weighing proposals that affect nearly every part of the criminal justice system, including policing, gun policy, solving crimes, […]

University of Iowa researchers create tools for cancer tracking in different states

University of Iowa researchers have developed a mapping tool for cancer rates that drill down deeper than county-level data. (AI Generated Image)

by Brooklyn Draisey, Iowa Capital Dispatch February 13, 2026 As Iowa officials drill down on their fight to understand and address high cancer rates in the state, a mapping tool developed by University of Iowa researchers is informing their and other states’ work — and the network is set to keep growing. Where previously only […]

Iowa could be on the cusp of a hydrogen rush; lawmakers weigh regulations

A company is exploring the potential of extracting hydrogen in Iowa. Pictured here is a temporary drilling rig to establish a hydrogen well, but production wells would be lower profile and similar in height to a water well. (Photo courtesy of Koloma)

by Cami Koons, Iowa Capital Dispatch February 13, 2026 It’s no secret that Iowa is home to large geological formations that are rich in hydrogen-producing rocks, but the question in recent years has turned to whether or not that hydrogen can be extracted in meaningful quantities. If the answer is yes, it’s likely Iowa would […]

JULY 1904: PLAYER HIGHLIGHTS, UMPIRE LOWLIGHTS

Oskaloosa Quakers baseball team picture. (archive image)

by Mike Comfort As the season hit the midpoint, the Iowa League suggested a new scheduling mechanism to keep interest in the pennant race throughout the rest of the year. President Norton mentioned a plan to end the season on July 4th and start a new season to give teams the chance to win again. […]

Senate panel rejects bill to ensure care facility residents can use ‘granny cams’

Under Iowa's Golden Dome.

by Clark Kauffman, Iowa Capital Dispatch February 5, 2026 An Iowa Senate committee has rejected legislation that would prevent nursing homes from barring residents’ use of in-room cameras to guard against abuse or neglect. Senate Study Bill 3080 would allow a nursing home resident or their representative to conduct electronic monitoring of the resident’s room […]

Bill removing state affirmative action measures approved by Iowa House panel

Harvard student Samaga Pokharel, right, with “My Race is My Story” sign, joined other students and supporters of affirmative action outside the U.S. Supreme Court Oct. 31, 2022, as it heard two cases that could reshape college admissions policies. (Photo by Ariana Figueroa/States Newsroom)

by Robin Opsahl, Iowa Capital Dispatch February 5, 2026 House Republican lawmakers were met with boos and arguments from members of the public at a Thursday subcommittee meeting as the panel advanced a proposal removing “affirmative action” requirements under Iowa law. House Study Bill 668 proposes removing several affirmative action and equal opportunity measures currently […]

           

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