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Feds: A dozen Iowa water suppliers need to fix ‘forever chemical’ contamination

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is sampling community water supplies for PFAS. (Photo by Jared Strong/Iowa Capital Dispatch)

by Jared Strong, Iowa Capital Dispatch April 10, 2024 At least 12 community drinking water supplies in Iowa are unacceptably contaminated with enduring chemicals linked to various health ailments, under new restrictions announced Wednesday by federal regulators. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency implemented a new drinking water standard that limits certain perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances […]

Controlled Burn at Cedar Bluffs

A controlled burn at Cedar Bluffs Natural Area. Photo by Robert Leonard

“Don’t talk about it, be about it…” by Robert Leonard Apr 11, 2024 Violet the Dog and I spent yesterday morning observing a controlled burn at Cedar Bluffs Natural Area. Chris Clingan, Director of Mahaska County Conservation asked me to to tag along if I wanted to—and I was delighted. After a recent excellent volunteer […]

Oskaloosa will pay what it owes 911, manager says

Debate about legal costs surrounding a new radio system for first responders drew questions from Mahaska County Supervisor Mark Groenendyk.

by KYLE OCKER
 Editor/Oskaloosa Herald OSKALOOSA — After two months of public questioning over the City of Oskaloosa’s unpaid balance to the 911 Service Board, city manager Amal Eltahir said Wednesday the city will meet its obligations. The 911 Service Board met Tuesday and again discussed a lapse in payments from the City of Oskaloosa. […]

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds signs law on foreign farmland ownership regulations

Iowa farmers have harvested almost all of the state's soybeans. (Photo by Jared Strong/Iowa Capital Dispatch)

by Robin Opsahl, Iowa Capital Dispatch April 9, 2024 Gov. Kim Reynolds on Tuesday signed into law new reporting requirements — and harsher penalties — related to foreign farmland ownership in Iowa. The governor signed Senate File 2204, a measure she has called for since the beginning of the 2024 legislative session. Reynolds said Iowa […]

Eminent domain bill for pipelines gets early Iowa Senate support

Dakota Access Pipeline being installed in Mahaska County (file photo)

by Jared Strong, Iowa Capital Dispatch April 9, 2024 Legislation that would give landowners a better opportunity to challenge eminent domain requests by carbon dioxide pipeline companies in court was advanced Tuesday by an Iowa Senate subcommittee. House File 2664 would enable those landowners — or the pipeline companies — to seek judicial review of […]

House passes bill adding regulations, limits on traffic cameras

Close-up on speed trap surveillance camera along highway to control speeding to reduce speeding related accidents.

by Robin Opsahl, Iowa Capital Dispatch April 9, 2024 The Iowa House approved a bill Tuesday to regulate traffic cameras, despite criticisms from some lawmakers who said the bill unfairly limits local control, and others who said the automated traffic enforcement systems should be entirely banned. Iowa lawmakers passed House File 2681 on a 85-12 […]

Gov. Kim Reynolds signs law repealing gender-balance requirement for boards

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds signed into law a bill removing the state’s gender-balance requirement for state boards and commissions on April 3, 2024 at the Iowa State Capitol. (Photo by Robin Opsahl/Iowa Capital Dispatch)

by Robin Opsahl, Iowa Capital Dispatch April 3, 2024 Iowa state boards and commissions will no longer be required to have equal numbers of men and women as members. Gov. Kim Reynolds signed Senate File 2096 into law on Wednesday, ending the gender balance rule that was first implemented in 1987. At the bill-signing event, […]

Bill restricting consumable hemp products heads to governor’s desk

Lawmakers said the bill is needed to combat "loopholes" in the existing Iowa Hemp Act. (Photo by Wes Muller/Louisiana Illuminator)

by Robin Opsahl, Iowa Capital Dispatch April 2, 2024 The Iowa Senate sent Gov. Kim Reynolds a bill Tuesday that tightens Iowa’s laws and regulations on consumable hemp products as the products become more widely available. Senators also passed a bill doubling the maximum number of licenses available for medical cannabis dispensaries. Bill adds medical […]

Bird flu spreads cow-to-cow and to one human in Texas

So far no cows in Iowa have been reported to be infected with avian flu. (Photo by Jared Strong/Iowa Capital Dispatch)

by Jared Strong, Iowa Capital Dispatch April 1, 2024 Texas cows are believed to have directly transmitted an avian flu to other cows and one person, according to state agriculture and health officials. The new evidence of mammal-to-mammal transmissions of a virus that is highly infectious and deadly for domestic birds is a troubling development […]

TV journalist Harry Smith returns to Central College to teach

Central College will use an investment from Pella-based company PPI to explore curriculum on "decision science." (Photo by Brooklyn Draisey/Iowa Capital Dispatch)

by Brooklyn Draisey, Iowa Capital Dispatch March 29, 2024 NBC News said goodbye to Harry Smith this week as the veteran journalist prepares to teach college students about “curiosity” at his alma mater, Central College. A 1973 alum, Smith earned his B.A. in communications and theater from Central College, according to NBC News. He announced […]

           

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