OSKALOOSA, Iowa – A new partnership between William Penn University and the Oskaloosa Community School District is piloting a student teaching stipend program that leaders say could ease financial burdens, strengthen teacher retention, and provide a direct pipeline of educators for the community. The initiative, launched this fall, provides student teachers with a $1,000 stipend […]
by Robin Opsahl, Iowa Capital Dispatch February 3, 2026 Iowa Republicans senators said negotiations are ongoing but they were moving forward Tuesday with legislation setting a 1.75% per-pupil spending increase to “start the conversation” on school funding. Senate Study Bill 3100 proposes setting a 1.75% Supplemental State Aid rate for the 2026-2027 school year. This […]
Fareway Stores, Inc. announced a major food donation this week that will help thousands of families across Iowa. On February 3, 2026, the Iowa-based grocery company donated more than 69,000 pounds of ham to food banks that serve people facing hunger during the winter months. The donation equals 5,504 individual hams that will go directly […]
Mahaska County Sheriff’s Office Press Release ***Updated Press Release From Tuesday 8 am*** On Sunday, February 1st, 2026, at approximately 5:20 pm, members of the Mahaska County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to the Casey’s General Store, located at 203 East Main Street in Fremont, Iowa, in reference to a shooting. Upon Law Enforcement’s arrival, 45-year-old […]
The Mahaska Hospice Auxiliary Board is excited to invite the community to the 9th Annual Share the Love Event! This year’s event will take place Saturday, February 7th, 2025, at Serenity House in Oskaloosa, IA, featuring a drive-thru take out dinner from Catered 2 U, floral arrangements from Stam’s Greenhouse, an Opal Earrings raffle from […]
Local residents gathered at Smokey Row Coffee in Oskaloosa for a Coffee and Conversation event that brought state legislators face to face with the public. The meeting was held early in the 2026 Iowa legislative session and gave community members a chance to raise concerns, ask questions, and hear how lawmakers are approaching major issues […]
by Senator Ken Rozenboom Friends, occasionally I write a newsletter devoted to a single important issue facing us at the Capitol. This is one of those times, and the issue at hand is the ongoing controversy regarding property rights vs. carbon pipelines. Here is my view. Pipeline Solutions For several years we in Iowa have […]
Happy Friday Senate District 44! The Senate had a shortened second week this week due to the observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday. That meant we hit the ground running on Tuesday, with many subcommittees being scheduled as we consider legislation already introduced for this year. The Workforce Committee has gotten off […]
Week Two Recap FFA Day at the Capitol! It is always a fun time when visitors come to the Capitol, but FFA students are a favorite. It was wonderful to talk to the students and learn their love for agriculture and farming, plus share my own love of chickens! Hundreds of students filled every nook […]
A two-vehicle crash on Highway 92 in Mahaska County sent five people to Mahaska Hospital on Wednesday afternoon, according to Iowa Department of Transportation crash records. The crash was reported at about 3:56 p.m. on Jan. 21 in the 2500 block of Highway 92. Authorities say a 2015 Ford Escape, driven by a 15-year-old from […]
