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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
by Robin Opsahl, Iowa Capital Dispatch April 4, 2025 As the Iowa Legislature advanced past the second major deadline of the 2025 session, conversations on pipelines, Medicaid work requirements and new higher education requirements are continuing through surviving bills — though agreements have not necessarily been reached between the two Republican-controlled chambers. The session’s second […]
by Robin Opsahl, Iowa Capital Dispatch April 2, 2025 Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds signed into law Wednesday a measure banning drivers from using cellphones behind the wheel outside of hands-free or voice-activated modes. Reynolds was joined by more than 50 people in her office Wednesday, many of whom were related to people who had died […]
by Robin Opsahl, Iowa Capital Dispatch March 31, 2025 COLFAX– As U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins toured Iowa agricultural facilities Monday, she said the U.S. Department of Agriculture is prepared to support farmers while tariffs go into place. President Donald Trump announced plans Sunday to impose “reciprocal tariffs” on countries that have their own […]
