Category archives for: National News

Trump signs order to loosen federal restrictions on marijuana, but it’s still illegal

A cannabis pre-roll is held at a legalization anniversary party in Cranston, Rhode Island, Dec. 1, 2023. (Photo by Christopher Shea/Rhode Island Current)

by Jacob Fischler, Iowa Capital Dispatch December 18, 2025 President Donald Trump signed an executive order Thursday to loosen federal restrictions on marijuana, which Trump said reflected the drug’s potential medical benefits while discouraging recreational use. The order moves cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III on the Federal Drug Administration’s list of controlled substances. Schedule […]

Trump administration tags $700 million for regenerative farming

Cows graze at Nice Farms Creamery in Federalsburg, Maryland. (Photo by Preston Keres/USDA)

by Shauneen Miranda, Iowa Capital Dispatch December 10, 2025 WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Agriculture will spend $700 million to support regenerative agriculture as part of the Make America Healthy Again agenda, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced Wednesday. The USDA pilot program for regenerative agriculture […]

Trump to send $12 billion in one-time payments to farmers to offset ag losses

Soybeans growing in a western Iowa field in August 2023. (Photo by Jared Strong/Iowa Capital Dispatch)

by Jacob Fischler, Iowa Capital Dispatch December 8, 2025 The federal government will provide $12 billion to U.S. farmers who have been hurt by “unfair market disruption,” President Donald Trump said at a White House roundtable event Monday. Trump said repeatedly the funding was available thanks to tariff revenues, framing his aggressive trade policy as […]

As farmers face trade wars and inflation, calls to mental health hotlines rise

Emma Yerkey and her dad, Tim Yerkey, with the ribbon-winning calf they raised together. (Photo courtesy of Emma Yerkey)

by Estefanía Pinto Ruiz, Iowa Capital Dispatch December 7, 2025 As farmers face historic headwinds and market hardships, calls to the national Farm Aid hotline and the Iowa Concern hotline — where farmers can get support in times of mental health crisis or need — are increasing. This fall, the Iowa Concern hotline saw four […]

Overall cost of Thanksgiving meal 5% lower than last year

The American Farm Bureau Federation report for 2025 shows Thanksgiving meal costs are down 5% from 2024. (Photo by Karsan Turner for Iowa Capital Dispatch)

by Cami Koons, Iowa Capital Dispatch November 26, 2025 The cost of a classic Thanksgiving dinner set for 10 people, at $55.18, is 5% less than the cost in 2024, annual data from the American Farm Bureau Federation shows. While key meal items like turkey and dinner rolls decreased in price this year, fresh vegetables […]

AI vs. AI: Patients deploy bots to battle health insurers that deny care

As states continue to curb health insurers’ use of artificial intelligence, patients and doctors are arming themselves with AI tools to fight claims denials, prior authorizations and soaring medical bills. (Photo by Anna Claire Vollers/Stateline)

by Anna Claire Vollers, Iowa Capital Dispatch November 21, 2025 As states strive to curb health insurers’ use of artificial intelligence, patients and doctors are arming themselves with AI tools to fight claims denials, prior authorizations and soaring medical bills. Several businesses and nonprofits have launched AI-powered tools to help patients get their insurance claims […]

Panelists at nature summit: Certain ag practices are harming public health

Audrey Tran Lam, left, speaks at the Iowa Nature Summit along with Dr. Richard Deming, Adam Shriver and Jennie Zwagerman at Drake University Nov. 19, 2025. (Photo by Cami Koons/Iowa Capital Dispatch)

by Cami Koons, Iowa Capital Dispatch November 19, 2025 Researchers and public health advocates said Wednesday that water quality and land use continue to be modifiable elements impacting public health, and in particular cancer, in Iowa. The experts spoke to a crowded conference room in the Olmsted Center at Drake University during the 2025 Iowa […]

National school bus driver shortage persists, despite recent gains

Officials remind drivers that passing a stopped school bus is illegal, and this year, the penalties for do so are increased. (photo by Ginger Allsup)

by Robbie Sequeira, Iowa Capital Dispatch November 14, 2025 School districts have made some progress in addressing the national shortage of school bus drivers, but there still aren’t as many drivers as there were in 2019, according to a new study. The number of drivers has increased by 2,300, or 1.1%, since last year, according […]

Government reopens after 43 days: Trump signs bill ending record shutdown

House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., talks with reporters inside Statuary Hall in the U.S. Capitol building on Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025. (Photo by Jennifer Shutt/States Newsroom)

by Jennifer Shutt and Shauneen Miranda, Iowa Capital Dispatch November 12, 2025 This report has been updated. WASHINGTON — The longest shutdown in U.S. history ended Wednesday night when President Donald Trump signed a spending package that  reopens the government and funds most of it through January. The Oval Office ceremony came just hours after […]

The End of the Penny — and Why the Nickel Could Be Next

Questions on how this penny will be spent continue to swirl in regards to LOST funding projects.

WASHINGTON — The United States Mint struck the final circulating one-cent coin on November 12, 2025, ending 232 years of penny production. The coin will remain legal tender, but no new pennies will enter general circulation. According to the Mint, it cost 3.69 cents to produce and distribute each penny during Fiscal Year 2024 — […]

             

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