Category archives for: State News

Public information board shouldn’t have dismissed complaint, court rules

IPIB Court Ruling

by Clark Kauffman, Iowa Capital Dispatch February 25, 2026 The Iowa Public Information Board has been handed a defeat in the Iowa Court of Appeals, which has upheld a lower court action reversing the board’s dismissal of a public-records complaint. The board had appealed a district court ruling that reversed the board’s order dismissing an […]

Senate passes series of bills requiring verification of citizenship status

Voters cast their ballots on Nov. 5, 2024 at First Christian Church in Perry, Iowa. (Photo by Brooklyn Draisey/Iowa Capital Dispatch)

Iowa senators approved several bills requiring citizenship verification through the federal SAVE database for voter registration, driver’s licenses and state jobs.

Iowa Senate passes bills allowing firearms in certain government-run spaces

A row of Colt handguns on display at the NRA’s Great American Outdoor Show at the Farm Show complex in Harrisburg, on Feb. 11, 2026. (Photo by Tim Lambert/Pennsylvania Capital-Star)

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 […]

Federal authorities take big steps to rein in drug middlemen

Mahaska Drug

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 […]

Got an ear for frog and toad calls? Iowa is seeking survey volunteers

An American bullfrog pokes its head out of the water. (Photo by Karsan Turner for Iowa Capital Dispatch)

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 […]

Iowa Senate sends K-12 funding package to governor’s desk

The Iowa Capitol

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 […]

Judge: City’s arrest of critic is ‘quintessential viewpoint discrimination’

Noah Petersen in front of Newton City Hall. (Photo courtesy of the Institute for Justice)

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 […]

Iowa bill would expand raw milk, cottage food sales and farm-to-table meals

An Iowa House subcommittee advanced language that would expand the sale of raw milk, in addition to creating an annual license for farm-to-table events. (Photo by Cami Koons/Iowa Capital Dispatch)

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 […]

Senators advance bill to prevent state government shutdowns

Iowa Sen. Ken Rozenboom, R-Oskaloosa, led a subcommittee meeting Feb. 18, 2026 on continuing state appropriations in years where the Iowa Legislature does not approve a budget by the new fiscal year. (Photo by Robin Opsahl/Iowa Capital Dispatch)

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 […]

New state report lists more than 700 impaired waters in Iowa

A family swims in the Raccoon River where it flows through Walnut Woods State Park in West Des Moines in October 2025. (Photo by Cami Koons/Iowa Capital Dispatch)

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 […]

           

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