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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 […]

Government reopens after 43 days: Trump signs bill ending record shutdown

House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., talks with reporters inside Statuary Hall in the U.S. Capitol building on Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025. (Photo by Jennifer Shutt/States Newsroom)

by Jennifer Shutt and Shauneen Miranda, Iowa Capital Dispatch November 12, 2025 This report has been updated. WASHINGTON — The longest shutdown in U.S. history ended Wednesday night when President Donald Trump signed a spending package that  reopens the government and funds most of it through January. The Oval Office ceremony came just hours after […]

Iowa ag secretary: Harvest ‘nearly complete’  

Iowa had its first snow as harvest season comes to a close. (Photo by Jared Strong/Iowa Capital Dispatch)

by Cami Koons, Iowa Capital Dispatch November 10, 2025 Iowa saw its first snowfall over the past week, which Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig said marked the “official end of the growing season.” While crop progress and condition statistics from the U.S. Department of Agriculture are unavailable due to the ongoing government shutdown, Naig […]

Congress remains deadlocked, with government shutdown now on day 35

U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Louisiana Republican, speaks at a press conference Nov. 4, 2025, at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. He was joined by, from left, House GOP Conference Chair Lisa McClain of Michigan, House Majority Whip Tom Emmer of Minnesota, Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise of Louisiana and House Education and Workforce Committee Chair Tim Walberg of Michigan. (Photo by Shauneen Miranda/States Newsroom)

by Shauneen Miranda, Iowa Capital Dispatch November 4, 2025 This report has been updated. WASHINGTON — The U.S. Senate Tuesday failed for the 14th time to advance a stopgap spending bill to fund the government, as the ongoing shutdown hit 35 days and is now tied with the shutdown of 2018-2019 as the longest ever. […]

U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra officially launches 2026 gubernatorial campaign

U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra, who represents Iowa’s 4th Congressional District, spoke at U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst’s final annual Roast and Ride fundraiser at the Elwell Family Food Center at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines Oct. 11, 2025. (Photo by Robin Opsahl/Iowa Capital Dispatch)

by Robin Opsahl, Iowa Capital Dispatch October 28, 2025 U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra formally announced his campaign for governor Tuesday, saying he aims to “take Iowa to new heights” by working with President Donald Trump and keeping the governor’s seat Republican in 2026. Feenstra had filed the paperwork to run for governor with the Iowa […]

U.S. lawmakers share concerns about consolidation in seed, fertilizer industries

A farmer prepares to plant spring corn in Frederick County, Maryland, May 12, 2020. (Photo by Preston Keres/USDA)

by Cami Koons, Iowa Capital Dispatch October 28, 2025 U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley called for the end of countervailing duties on phosphate fertilizer during a Senate committee hearing Tuesday on competition in fertilizer and seed industries. Farmers, retailers and politicians from both sides of the aisle agreed that consolidation in the agricultural industry is making […]

Upcoming federal food assistance pause intensifies shutdown fight

Canned foods on grocery store shelves. (Photo by Cami Koons/Iowa Capital Dispatch)

by Jennifer Shutt, Iowa Capital Dispatch October 27, 2025 WASHINGTON — The stakes of the ongoing government shutdown rose Monday as the U.S. Department of Agriculture doubled down on its position that food benefits for November could not be paid and a union for federal workers implored lawmakers to pass a stopgap measure. As the […]

             

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