by Robin Opsahl, Iowa Capital Dispatch February 24, 2026 The Iowa Senate passed two measures Tuesday expanding where firearms can be legally carried. Senate File 2263, approved in a 35-12 vote, makes multiple changes to where Iowans can lawfully carry weapons. The bill allows a person to carry, transport or possess a dangerous weapon in […]
by Marty Schladen, Iowa Capital Dispatch February 23, 2026 Federal authorities in recent weeks have taken huge steps aimed at curbing the practices of drug middlemen known as pharmacy benefit managers, or PBMs. The steps come after years of complaints from small pharmacies and attempts to rein in the huge corporations by lawmakers in Ohio […]
by Cami Koons, Iowa Capital Dispatch February 23, 2026 Several times each summer, Iowans drive set routes at night and turn a discerning ear to the 16 unique frog and toad songs that can be heard across the state. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is seeking new volunteers for the state’s frog and toad […]
by Robin Opsahl, Iowa Capital Dispatch February 23, 2026 The Iowa Senate sent legislation to the governor’s desk Monday for the state’s per-pupil funding for Iowa K-12 schools for the 2026-2027 year. Senate File 2201 was amended from the last time it was debated on the Senate floor. Senators initially passed a 1.75% State Supplemental […]
by Clark Kauffman, Iowa Capital Dispatch February 23, 2026 Declaring that a citizen was “targeted because he criticized the police department and city leadership,” a federal judge has ruled that the City of Newton violated the rights of a critic by twice having the man arrested at city council meetings. The decision means that Noah […]
by Cami Koons, Iowa Capital Dispatch February 18, 2026 A bill that advanced from a House subcommittee Wednesday would create an event permit for farm-to-table meals, expand the permissible sales of raw milk and allow cottage foods to be sold in grocery stores. House File 2444 was introduced by Rep. Chad Ingels, R-Randalia, who said […]
by Robin Opsahl, Iowa Capital Dispatch February 18, 2026 Iowa could avoid state government shutdowns if the Legislature does not pass a budget before the next fiscal year starts under a measure advanced by a Senate subcommittee and committee Wednesday. Senate Study Bill 3176 would establish a continuing appropriation for fiscal years when the Iowa […]
by Cami Koons, Iowa Capital Dispatch February 17, 2026 The Iowa Department of Natural Resources released a draft version of its 2026 biennial integrated report Tuesday, which listed more than 700 segments of rivers, lakes or wetlands in the state as impaired. The impaired list looks at retroactive data and determines if a water segment […]
by Cami Koons, Iowa Capital Dispatch February 16, 2026 Iowa lawmakers advanced two bills from House subcommittees Monday that would restrict the commercial operation of self-driving vehicles and assign liability to the owners of autonomous vehicles. The bills were opposed by automotive industry representatives who argued the legislation would prohibit situations like an automated car […]
by Amanda Watford, Iowa Capital Dispatch February 14, 2026 Criminal justice has emerged as one of the most wide-ranging and politically charged areas on lawmakers’ agendas in this year’s state legislative sessions. Across the country, legislators are weighing proposals that affect nearly every part of the criminal justice system, including policing, gun policy, solving crimes, […]
