by Robin Opsahl, Iowa Capital Dispatch March 11, 2025 The Iowa House unanimously passed legislation Tuesday offering legal protections against lawsuits filed to limit freedom of speech and press. House File 472 is the latest attempt to enact an anti-SLAPP law in Iowa. SLAPP refers to “strategic lawsuits against public participation,” civil lawsuits filed without […]
by Robin Opsahl, Iowa Capital Dispatch March 11, 2025 Gov. Kim Reynolds said Tuesday there may be some economic difficulties caused by the Trump administration’s cuts to federal spending and workforce, but the overall trajectory to reduce government size and spending will bring positive changes. Reynolds spoke alongside former Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey at the […]
by Robin Opsahl, Iowa Capital Dispatch March 3, 2025 A bill banning gene-based vaccines, like some forms of the COVID-19 vaccine, received approval from a Senate subcommittee Monday. Senate File 360 would prohibit health care providers from administering gene-based vaccines, with penalties of a misdemeanor charge and a fine of $500 for each violation, as […]
by Robin Opsahl, Iowa Capital Dispatch February 13, 2025 The Iowa House passed a bill Thursday with a 2.25% per-pupil funding increase alongside other funding changes for Iowa’s public K-12 schools. The move sends the legislation back to the Senate, which proposed a 2% rate. The House voted 58-35 to pass an amended version of […]
by Robin Opsahl, Iowa Capital Dispatch February 11, 2025 Rep. Steven Holt, R-Denison, said Tuesday he has high hopes for the Iowa Legislature to pass an anti-SLAPP bill this session after several years of the measure stalling. SLAPP, or “strategic lawsuits against public participation,” is a term used for civil lawsuits filed to intimidate a […]
by Cami Koons, Iowa Capital Dispatch February 7, 2025 The Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy has been updated to reflect increased access to data and new practices, including a precision ag-tool to optimize nitrogen application. The nutrient reduction strategy was developed by the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources […]
by Robin Opsahl, Iowa Capital Dispatch February 10, 2025 Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds signed an executive order Monday officially creating the state Department of Government Efficiency task force. Reynolds said at a news conference the initiative, based on the federal DOGE headed by Elon Musk, will make recommendations to further her administration’s existing efforts to […]
by Clint Dye Oskaloosa freshman Mia Luck took to the mat at the Iowa High School Girls State Tournament this past Thursday, February 6th at the Xtream Arena in Coralville. Luck entered the Iowa Class 1A 135 bracket with an overall record of 33-1 and was the number three seed. In her first round, she […]
by Robin Opsahl, Iowa Capital Dispatch February 6, 2025 House Speaker Pat Grassley said House Republicans are pursuing a slightly higher increase in state funding package for the public K-12 system than the governor and GOP senators. Speaking with reporters Thursday, Grassley said the House GOP caucus is proposing legislation that sets the State Supplemental […]
by Robin Opsahl, Iowa Capital Dispatch February 5, 2025 House Republicans praised Gov. Kim Reynolds’ state government realignment efforts in Iowa as she testified at the U.S. House Oversight Hearing on Government Efficiency Wednesday while Democrats drew comparisons between Iowa’s actions and President Donald Trump’s moves to make the federal government more efficient. Reynolds was […]
