by Robin Opsahl, Iowa Capital Dispatch March 17, 2025 Iowa local governments would not be able to have citizen police review boards under legislation passed by the Iowa Senate 37-9 Monday. Senate File 311 prohibits cities with a civil service commission — any city with a population over 8,000 — from adopting or establishing citizens’ […]
by Cami Koons, Iowa Capital Dispatch March 14, 2025 Peregrine falcons, once nonexistent in Iowa, hatched and raised at least 36 young falcons in 2024 out of the 17 nests monitored in the state. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources relies on Iowa volunteers, and some power plant employees, to monitor the nests to ensure […]
by Jennifer Shutt, Iowa Capital Dispatch March 14, 2025 WASHINGTON — The U.S. Senate cleared a stopgap spending bill Friday that will fund the government through the end of September, sending the legislation to President Donald Trump. The White House said on Saturday afternoon that Trump had signed the measure, avoiding a partial government shutdown. […]
by Robin Opsahl, Iowa Capital Dispatch March 14, 2025 Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz told Iowans on his first stop of a national town hall tour that he wanted to give a voice to people who feel unheard by Republicans in Washington. But he said there was another motive for these events: he is “soul-searching” following […]
by Robin Opsahl, Iowa Capital Dispatch March 13, 2025 Members of the Iowa Revenue Estimating Conference said Thursday that although national economic uncertainty is making clear budget projections difficult, the state was still in a sound fiscal position as recently approved tax cuts take effect. The Revenue Estimating Conference (REC) met Thursday to review and […]
by Cami Koons, Iowa Capital Dispatch March 11, 2025 Iowa farmers and institutions lost an estimated $11.3 million in federal funding to support the purchase of locally raised foods, following the recent termination of two U.S. Department of Agriculture programs. The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship notified partners Monday afternoon that agreements made […]
by Ashley Murray, Iowa Capital Dispatch March 12, 2025 WASHINGTON — The European Union released a lengthy list Wednesday of U.S. goods, from Kentucky bourbon to household appliances, slated for retaliatory tariffs in response to President Donald Trump’s taxes on steel and aluminum imports that went into effect overnight. The 27-nation bloc announced late Tuesday […]
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 […]
