by Robin Opsahl, Iowa Capital Dispatch April 15, 2026 Iowa Auditor Rob Sand and U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra launched political ads for their gubernatorial campaigns Wednesday as political pundits predict a tighter 2026 race than previously expected. Sand, a Democrat, released his first ad Wednesday titled “Stealing is Bad,” a 30-second spot that will play […]
by Robin Opsahl, Iowa Capital Dispatch April 15, 2026 The Iowa House approved a bill Wednesday that would give nuclear energy facilities an exemption on sales and use taxes. House File 2757, which passed in a 94-1 vote, comes as work is being done to restart a decommissioned nuclear facility in the state — Duane […]
by Brooklyn Draisey, Iowa Capital Dispatch April 14, 2026 Drake University’s Cowles Library will soon become the home for documents donated by former Iowa governor and former U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack. The Des Moines private university announced in a news release Tuesday that Vilsack and Drake University President Marty Martin signed an agreement […]
by Brooklyn Draisey, Iowa Capital Dispatch April 8, 2026 Catholic churches and organizations across Iowa and the U.S. are seeing rising numbers of converts to the religion, scholars and officials say, in part due to the digital age and renewed searching for community and meaning. The Diocese of Des Moines, which spans 80 parishes in […]
by Mike Comfort The third season of the Iowa League couldn’t escape what dogged the previous two seasons: concerns about the financial viability of the league. Once again, the papers sent out mixed messages about the stability of teams. The Sioux City Journal noted in July that the league was in good shape, while the […]
by Robin Opsahl, Iowa Capital Dispatch March 31, 2026 The Iowa House passed a bill Tuesday to require commercial truck drivers take an English proficiency test in order to get their license. Senate File 2426, passed 68-24, adds a new requirement for applicants seeking or renewing a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) to meet English proficiency […]
by Zach Sommers, Iowa Capital Dispatch March 30, 2026 Iowa volunteers concerned with the state’s water quality are beginning a new season of independent testing for nitrates in bodies of water surrounding where they live. Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement has kicked off its third year with the Nitrate Watch program. The program, run by […]
by Brooklyn Draisey, Iowa Capital Dispatch March 27, 2026 Iowa State University researchers are hoping to establish a foundation for further consideration of sleep and the lack of it when it comes to justice system proceedings, from suspect interrogations and confessions to, eventually, jury considerations. Zlatan Krizan, a professor of psychology at ISU, and social […]
by Jacob Fischler, Iowa Capital Dispatch March 26, 2026 A bipartisan pair of U.S. senators from the Midwest on Thursday asked the Commerce Department to investigate major agricultural machinery manufacturers, saying they paid shareholders handsomely while offshoring jobs. Sens. Tammy Baldwin, a Wisconsin Democrat, and Bernie Moreno, an Ohio Republican, asked Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick to […]
by Brooklyn Draisey, Iowa Capital Dispatch March 26, 2026 Agriculture and environmental advocates say now is the “prime time” for Iowans to pressure state lawmakers to fund water quality monitoring that they say is essential for Iowans’ health and well-being. Iowa Environmental Council Water Program Director Colleen Fowle spoke with members of the Iowa Farmers […]
