by Robin Opsahl, Iowa Capital Dispatch February 5, 2025 Iowa pharmacists and advocates said Wednesday lawmakers need to pass legislation regulating pharmacy benefit managers, the third-party companies that negotiate prescription prices between health insurance companies, drug manufacturers and pharmacies, in order to keep small businesses and rural pharmacies in business. Subcommittees were held in both […]
by Robin Opsahl, Iowa Capital Dispatch February 5, 2025 A Senate subcommittee gave initial approval Wednesday to Gov. Kim Reynolds’ proposal to set a statewide minimum policy restricting students’ cellphone use in schools. The bill, Senate Study Bill 1065, would require school boards to adopt policies that, at minimum, ban use of personal electronic devices […]
by Cami Koons, Iowa Capital Dispatch February 1, 2025 Data from the 2024 osprey nesting report from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources shows the bird population is well established and continuing to grow in the state. Last year, volunteers across the state monitored 50 osprey nests, and according to the 2024 report, saw 64% […]
by Clark Kauffman, Iowa Capital Dispatch January 30, 2025 Iowa Auditor of State Rob Sand issued a report Thursday that says more than $400,000 in taxpayer money was improperly spent through a program run by Iowa Workforce Development. At a press conference Thursday, Sand characterized the matter as a case of “embezzlement” that involves programs […]
by Cami Koons, Iowa Capital Dispatch January 29, 2025 Poultry producers who have previously had flocks infected with highly pathogenic avian influenza would have to pass a biosecurity audit to be eligible for future indemnity payments under a new rule from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service amended […]
by Robin Opsahl, Iowa Capital Dispatch January 28, 2025 Senate Republicans announced Tuesday they plan to support the governor’s proposal of a 2% increase in per-pupil funding for the state’s public school system. The proposed increase matches the recommendation put forward by Gov. Kim Reynolds earlier in January of a $235 million increase for State […]
by Robin Opsahl, Iowa Capital Dispatch January 28, 2025 A House subcommittee moved forward Tuesday with a measure that would allow schools to create “threat assessment teams” in an effort to prevent school shootings. House Study Bill 47, a measure introduced by the Iowa Department of Public Safety, would authorize K-12 school districts, private schools […]
by Robin Opsahl, Iowa Capital Dispatch January 21, 2025 Local officials told state lawmakers Tuesday that a proposal to prohibit city and county governments from contracting with third-party vendors to collect traffic camera fines runs counter to GOP goals to make government more efficient. House File 3 follows up on changes made in last year’s […]
by Jennifer Shutt and Shauneen Miranda, Iowa Capital Dispatch January 20, 2025 WASHINGTON — Donald Trump took the presidential oath of office for the second time Monday during an inauguration ceremony inside the U.S. Capitol rotunda. The swearing-in marked the culmination of a four-year journey for Trump, whom many Republicans distanced themselves from following the […]
by Robin Opsahl and Kathie Obradovich, Iowa Capital Dispatch January 13, 2025 The Iowa Legislature convened for the 2025 legislative session Monday with a new slate of legislators and goals to pass property tax and school cell phone use restrictions, among other proposals. With their new, larger majorities, Iowa legislative leaders said they are aiming […]
