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Farmers could disable diesel exhaust fluid systems under House-passed bill

A farmer harvests corn beside Highway 163. (Photo by Cami Koons/Iowa Capital Dispatch)

by Cami Koons, Iowa Capital Dispatch March 2, 2026 The Iowa House advanced a bill Monday that would allow farmers to disable the diesel exhaust fluid, or DEF, systems required by federal emissions laws. House File 2529 would require manufacturers of farm equipment with DEF systems to provide diagnostic and repair information as well as […]

Private college officials say key lawmaker is threatening state-funded tuition grants

Rep. Taylor Collins, right, says some Iowa lawmakers are frustrated with private universities' opposition to legislation establishing bachelor's degrees at community colleges. (Photo by Brooklyn Draisey/Iowa Capital Dispatch)

by Brooklyn Draisey, Iowa Capital Dispatch March 2, 2026 Iowa private college officials say a key lawmaker is threatening funding to a state tuition grant program over their opposition to allowing community colleges to offer four-year degrees. Gary Steinke, president of the Iowa Association of Independent Colleges and Universities, said lobbyists for the association received […]

STRONG PERFORMANCES IN THE SUMMER

Oskaloosa Quakers baseball team picture. (archive image)

by Mike Comfort As the league headed into the summer months, attendance was up from the previous year, despite Keokuk, Ottumwa, and Ft Dodge not being able to meet the $30 guarantee consistently. Fans of the league would be treated to a new star in pitcher Fred Steele of Oskaloosa who was acquired from Class […]

Gov. Kim Reynolds signs 2% per-pupil funding package for K-12 schools into law

Gov. Kim Reynolds answered questions from reporters at a media availability Feb. 26, 2026. (Photo by Robin Opsahl/Iowa Capital Dispatch)

by Robin Opsahl, Iowa Capital Dispatch February 26, 2026 Gov. Kim Reynolds signed into law Thursday the bill establishing a 2% State Supplemental Aid rate, providing per-pupil funding for Iowa’s K-12 schools in the upcoming school year. Republican lawmakers said Senate File 2201 results in roughly a $160 increase from the previous fiscal year in […]

Statesmen of the Week: Lane Scorpil and Adedoyin Aderibigbe

William Penn Athletics

Oskaloosa–Men’s wrestler Lane Scorpil (Sr., Columbus Junction, Iowa, Business Management) and women’s track and field athlete Adedoyin Aderibigbe (Fr., Cedar Hill, Texas, Sociology) have been named the Statesmen of the Week for the week of February 16-22. Scorpil posted a 2-1 record to place second at last weekend’s Heart of America Athletic Conference Championship. The […]

Iowa Environmental Council: Public health connection to pollution can’t be ignored

Iowa Environmental Council and partnering organizations gathered in the Iowa Capitol Rotunda Feb. 25, 2026 to advocate for water quality and environmental policies. (Photo by Cami Koons/Iowa Capital Dispatch)

by Cami Koons, Iowa Capital Dispatch February 25, 2026 Advocates and partners of the Iowa Environmental Council gathered in the Iowa Capitol rotunda Wednesday to advocate for Iowa’s water, air and environmental concerns. Sarah Green, the council’s executive director, pointed to statistics like Iowa’s rising cancer rates, increased public involvement with water quality testing and […]

Public information board shouldn’t have dismissed complaint, court rules

IPIB Court Ruling

by Clark Kauffman, Iowa Capital Dispatch February 25, 2026 The Iowa Public Information Board has been handed a defeat in the Iowa Court of Appeals, which has upheld a lower court action reversing the board’s dismissal of a public-records complaint. The board had appealed a district court ruling that reversed the board’s order dismissing an […]

Senate passes series of bills requiring verification of citizenship status

Voters cast their ballots on Nov. 5, 2024 at First Christian Church in Perry, Iowa. (Photo by Brooklyn Draisey/Iowa Capital Dispatch)

Iowa senators approved several bills requiring citizenship verification through the federal SAVE database for voter registration, driver’s licenses and state jobs.

MANAGER ISSUES

Oskaloosa Quakers baseball team picture. (archive image)

by Mike Comfort The first month of the 1905 season was highlighted by two different managerial controversies which struck two different teams with different results. Waterloo had struggled out of the gate and was stuck in the middle of the standings for much of the 1st month as they dealt with the tragic death of […]

Iowa Senate passes bills allowing firearms in certain government-run spaces

A row of Colt handguns on display at the NRA’s Great American Outdoor Show at the Farm Show complex in Harrisburg, on Feb. 11, 2026. (Photo by Tim Lambert/Pennsylvania Capital-Star)

by Robin Opsahl, Iowa Capital Dispatch February 24, 2026 The Iowa Senate passed two measures Tuesday expanding where firearms can be legally carried. Senate File 2263, approved in a 35-12 vote, makes multiple changes to where Iowans can lawfully carry weapons. The bill allows a person to carry, transport or possess a dangerous weapon in […]

             

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