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Naig talks ag economy, run for governor on ‘Iowa Press’

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig

by Cami Koons, Iowa Capital Dispatch April 25, 2025 Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig is considering a run for governor in 2026, but said he is still talking over the possibility with his family and close supporters. Naig was a guest Friday on the Iowa PBS show “Iowa Press,” where he also discussed the […]

Rollins emphasizes SNAP is for working Americans

U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins reinforced SNAP work and citizenship requirements with memorandums sent to state agencies. (Photo by Lance Cheung/USDA)

by Cami Koons, Iowa Capital Dispatch April 27, 2025 U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins issued memorandums to state agencies urging them to enforce federal guidelines around work requirements and citizenship status when issuing food assistance. Food security advocates in Iowa say the measures do not change much for the agencies administering the Supplemental Nutrition […]

Reynolds sues Des Moines Register to keep staffers’ emails confidential

Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds listens to apprentices talk about their experiences in their apprenticeship program.

by Clark Kauffman, Iowa Capital Dispatch April 25, 2025 Gov. Kim Reynolds has filed a lawsuit against the Des Moines Register that seeks to keep confidential some of the written communications among her senior advisors. In court papers filed Friday by Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird, Reynolds asks for an injunction to stop the Register […]

Legislation to quickly end lawsuits attacking free speech, press heads to governor’s desk

Under Iowa's Golden Dome.

by Robin Opsahl, Iowa Capital Dispatch April 24, 2025 Courts could more quickly resolve lawsuits meant to silence critics or media outlets under legislation that went to the governor’s desk Thursday after years of being stalled in the Legislature. Douglas Burns, former co-owner of an Iowa newspaper that was nearly bankrupted by such a lawsuit […]

Planting underway across Iowa, some farms impacted by storms last week

Spring planting is underway in Iowa. (Photo courtesy of Iowa Corn Growers Association)

by Cami Koons, Iowa Capital Dispatch April 21, 2025 Iowa farmers made headway planting corn, soybeans and oats early last week, but were slowed by storms that caused destruction in southwest Iowa, according to the Iowa crop progress and condition report. The report, covering April 14 through April 20, shows Iowa has 68% of oats […]

Iowa Senate adds restriction on Capitol security video to open records bill

The Iowa Capitol

by Robin Opsahl, Iowa Capital Dispatch April 17, 2025 The Iowa Senate amended an open meetings and records bill Thursday to list security camera footage from the Iowa Capitol building as “confidential records.” House File 706 is this year’s attempt to implement higher penalties and training requirements for Iowa’s open meetings and records laws. Fines […]

Ban on students’ use of cellphones during class time heads to governor’s desk

The Iowa Capitol

by Robin Opsahl, Iowa Capital Dispatch April 8, 2025 Gov. Kim Reynolds said Tuesday she intends to sign a bill setting a statewide ban on public school students using cellphones during class time. The Iowa House passed the bill, which the governor introduced in January, on a 92-4 vote Tuesday and sent it to her […]

Iowa Senate passes 2% per-pupil increase for K-12 public schools

Sen. Lynn Evans, R-Aurelia, spoke April 7, 2025 as the floor manager for the legislation setting Iowa’s State Supplemental Aid rate for the upcoming school year. (Photo by Robin Opsahl/Iowa Capital Dispatch)

by Robin Opsahl, Iowa Capital Dispatch April 7, 2025 Iowa K-12 public schools would receive a 2% increase in state per-pupil funding next year under legislation the Iowa Senate approved Monday on 32-15 vote. Senate File 167 sets the State Supplemental Aid (SSA) rate for the upcoming fiscal year. SSA is the growth rate for […]

USDA cuts hit small farms as Trump showers billions on big farms

by Kevin Hardy ǀ Stateline, Iowa Capital Dispatch April 5, 2025 Anna Pesek saw a federal program supporting local food purchases as much more than a boost to her Iowa pork and poultry farm. The U.S. Department of Agriculture grant program that allowed schools and food banks to buy fresh products from small farms helped […]

D.C. Dispatch: Grassley, Hinson respond to Trump tariffs

Sen. Chuck Grassley appeared on “Iowa Press” on Sept. 15, 2023. (Screenshot via Iowa PBS)

by Robin Opsahl, Iowa Capital Dispatch April 4, 2025 In light of Wednesday’s tariff announcement by President Donald Trump, U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley introduced legislation this week requiring more congressional oversight of such decisions. The president announced he was setting a baseline 10% levy on all international imports Wednesday, effective April 5, with higher tariffs […]

                 

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