by Cami Koons, Iowa Capital Dispatch July 7, 2026 Volunteers across Iowa conducted nearly 500 bumble bee atlas surveys in 2025, which was more than three times the number of surveys conducted the year prior. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is hosting several field days in July to help train volunteers who want to […]
by Cami Koons, Iowa Capital Dispatch July 1, 2026 U.S. Department of Agriculture staffing cuts in 2025 have left county-level service offices understaffed, according to an analysis of federal data from the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition. The report found that Iowa lost nearly 19% of its Natural Resources Conservation Service, or NRCS, staff and 8% […]
by Robin Opsahl, Iowa Capital Dispatch June 30, 2026 Many of the laws advanced during the 2026 legislative session take effect Wednesday, including measures restricting access to abortion-inducing medication, increasing the speed limit on two-lane highways and limiting future governors’ powers during public health and disaster emergencies. July 1, the beginning of the state’s fiscal […]
by Cami Koons, Iowa Capital Dispatch June 30, 2026 The environmental group Food & Water Watch is suing the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for failing to supply requested information about a nitrate assessment. Food & Water Watch allege the “apparently scuttled” assessment would have provided EPA with the research necessary to update drinking water standards […]
by Clark Kauffman, Iowa Capital Dispatch May 18, 2026 An Iowa man is taking Nintendo and Pokémon Company International to federal court for allegedly refusing to grant him “Pokémon Professor” status. Kyle Owens, 34, of Laurens is suing Nintendo of America and its affiliate, Pokémon Company International, in U.S. District Court for the Southern District […]
by Robin Opsahl, Iowa Capital Dispatch May 18, 2026 Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds signed into law May 18 a measure she and supporters say will lower property tax costs for Iowans — an issue Republicans said was their top priority for the 2026 session. “We’re bending the spending curve away from government and back toward […]
by Kadin Luhmann, Iowa Capital Dispatch May 18, 2026 Three environmental groups are suing the Trump administration over the Environmental Protection Agency’s decision to remove seven Iowa waterways from the state’s Impaired Waters List. Food and Water Watch, the Iowa Environmental Council (IEC) and the Environmental Law and Policy Center are asking the U.S. District […]
by Robin Opsahl, Iowa Capital Dispatch May 13, 2026 Early voting kicks off Wednesday, May 13 for the 2026 primary elections in Iowa. Iowans will have the chance to weigh in on contests determining either the Republican and Democratic nominees in several federal and state races. Voters can participate on Election Day, June 2, or […]
by Robin Opsahl, Iowa Capital Dispatch April 29, 2026 Senate Republicans argued a bill passed by the chamber Wednesday will help prevent government shutdowns in Iowa similar to those seen in Washington, D.C., but Democrats called the measure a “blatant power grab” that would allow the GOP majority to refuse to negotiate with a potential […]
by Jonathan Shorman, Iowa Capital Dispatch April 27, 2026 The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday appeared likely to allow law enforcement to continue seeking warrants for the location history of cellphones near crime scenes, even as the justices wrestled with how far the government must go to protect Americans’ privacy. Some of the justices appeared […]
