by Robin Opsahl, Iowa Capital Dispatch February 5, 2025 A Senate subcommittee gave initial approval Wednesday to Gov. Kim Reynolds’ proposal to set a statewide minimum policy restricting students’ cellphone use in schools. The bill, Senate Study Bill 1065, would require school boards to adopt policies that, at minimum, ban use of personal electronic devices […]
by Cami Koons, Iowa Capital Dispatch February 1, 2025 Data from the 2024 osprey nesting report from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources shows the bird population is well established and continuing to grow in the state. Last year, volunteers across the state monitored 50 osprey nests, and according to the 2024 report, saw 64% […]
by Clark Kauffman, Iowa Capital Dispatch January 30, 2025 Iowa Auditor of State Rob Sand issued a report Thursday that says more than $400,000 in taxpayer money was improperly spent through a program run by Iowa Workforce Development. At a press conference Thursday, Sand characterized the matter as a case of “embezzlement” that involves programs […]
January 29th, 2025 Nine Newly Elected Legislators Join Republican Legislative Interveners, Signaling Growing Support for Private Property Rights in Iowa Today, the Republican Legislative Interveners for Justice (RLIJ) announced the addition of nine newly elected legislators to their growing coalition. The group, which has been at the forefront of protecting private property rights and opposing […]
by Robin Opsahl, Iowa Capital Dispatch January 28, 2025 Senate Republicans announced Tuesday they plan to support the governor’s proposal of a 2% increase in per-pupil funding for the state’s public school system. The proposed increase matches the recommendation put forward by Gov. Kim Reynolds earlier in January of a $235 million increase for State […]
by Robin Opsahl, Iowa Capital Dispatch January 28, 2025 A House subcommittee moved forward Tuesday with a measure that would allow schools to create “threat assessment teams” in an effort to prevent school shootings. House Study Bill 47, a measure introduced by the Iowa Department of Public Safety, would authorize K-12 school districts, private schools […]
by Robin Opsahl, Iowa Capital Dispatch January 21, 2025 Local officials told state lawmakers Tuesday that a proposal to prohibit city and county governments from contracting with third-party vendors to collect traffic camera fines runs counter to GOP goals to make government more efficient. House File 3 follows up on changes made in last year’s […]
DES MOINES—Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds delivered her 2025 Condition of the State Address, celebrating Iowa’s progress while charting an ambitious course for the future. Addressing lawmakers, justices, and citizens in the State Capitol, Reynolds declared, “The condition of our state is strong!” Celebrating Progress Reynolds highlighted Iowa’s top national rankings, including being the #1 state […]
by Robin Opsahl and Kathie Obradovich, Iowa Capital Dispatch January 13, 2025 The Iowa Legislature convened for the 2025 legislative session Monday with a new slate of legislators and goals to pass property tax and school cell phone use restrictions, among other proposals. With their new, larger majorities, Iowa legislative leaders said they are aiming […]
by Clark Kauffman, Iowa Capital Dispatch January 13, 2025 The Iowa Court of Appeals has ordered the Cedar Rapids City Council to make public its recording of an illegally closed meeting that took place four years ago. The court’s decision could also impact the manner in which many Iowa school boards, city councils and county […]
