Category archives for: State News

With the Iowa State Patrol’s help, ICE is arresting truckers at weigh stations

An Iowa State Patrol employee at one of Iowa’s interstate weigh stations for commercial vehicles. (Photo courtesy Iowa Department of Public Safety)

by Clark Kauffman, Iowa Capital Dispatch March 26, 2026 Federal court records indicate U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents are using interstate weigh stations in Iowa to arrest and detain drivers suspected of being in the United States illegally. According to court filings in immigration cases, the operation appears to involve state troopers working in […]

Researchers connect environmental issues with cancer rates in new report

Harkin Institute Wellness and Nutrition Policy Director Adam Shriver speaks during a press conference March 25, 2026, about a report released by the institute and the Iowa Environmental Council on Iowa’s cancer rates and risks. (Photo by Brooklyn Draisey/Iowa Capital Dispatch)

A new report highlights possible links between environmental exposures and rising cancer rates in Iowa. Researchers and public health experts are calling for stronger protections, better monitoring, and coordinated action to address risks tied to pesticides, nitrates, PFAS, and radon.

Iowa Senate sends health insurer tax increase to governor’s desk

Sen. Mark Costello, R-Imogene, spoke on the Senate floor March 24, 2026 on a bill to raise the premium tax on health maintenance organizations for a nine-month period in 2026. (Photo by Robin Opsahl/Iowa Capital Dispatch)

A bill increasing taxes on health maintenance organizations to help cover a projected Medicaid budget shortfall has passed the Iowa Senate and now heads to Gov. Kim Reynolds. Supporters say the move is needed to secure federal funding, while opponents warn the change could lead to higher insurance premiums for Iowans.

Iowa House passes restrictions on foreign involvement in health care, ballot issues

The Iowa State Capitol from the south on Feb. 5, 2026. (Photo by Cami Koons/Iowa Capital Dispatch)

The Iowa House has approved two measures aimed at limiting foreign involvement in ballot issue campaigns and restricting ownership of health care facilities by certain foreign entities. The bills now move forward in the legislative process after receiving unanimous support in the House.

House passes bill to raise income limits for Iowans with disabilities, restrict WIC eligibility

Under Iowa's Golden Dome. Iowa General Assembly.

by Cami Koons, Iowa Capital Dispatch March 10, 2026 The Iowa House of Representatives passed a bill Tuesday that would increase income limits for Iowans with disabilities who rely on Medicaid for essential services and also put certain restrictions on nutrition assistance programs. Several House Democrats said the bill would lead to starving infants and […]

Gov. Kim Reynolds supports U.S. war in Iran, mourns deaths of Iowans killed in strike

Gov. Kim Reynolds spoke about the deaths of two Iowa U.S. Army Reserve soldiers in an Iranian strike in Kuwait March 5, 2026. (Photo by Robin Opsahl/Iowa Capital Dispatch)

by Robin Opsahl, Iowa Capital Dispatch March 5, 2026 Gov. Kim Reynolds said Thursday she supports the U.S. military action in Iran, as she mourned the loss of two Iowa soldiers in an Iranian strike on a Kuwait facility on March 1. Two of the six U.S. military members killed in the Iran attack on […]

Senate passes bill allowing Iowa historical research center closure

Senate passes bill allowing Iowa historical research center closure

by Robin Opsahl, Iowa Capital Dispatch March 4, 2026 The Senate passed a measure Wednesday allowing the state to close the State Historical Society of Iowa Research Center, an action the Iowa Department of Administrative Services has already taken despite Iowa Code requiring the state to maintain an Iowa City historical center. Senate File 2293, […]

Iowa House Republicans’ ‘tough on crime’ bills move forward

Rep. Steve Holt, R-Denison, spoke on the “three strikes” bill establishing a 20-year prison minimum for habitual offenders that passed the Iowa House March 4, 2025. (Photo by Robin Opsahl/Iowa Capital Dispatch)

by Robin Opsahl, Iowa Capital Dispatch March 4, 2026 The Iowa House approved several bills Wednesday that are part of House GOP’s “tough on crime” package introduced earlier in the session, including a measure requiring a 20-year minimum prison sentence for repeat offenders. House File 2542 was one of the major proposals put forward by […]

Iowa House approves community college bachelor’s degree pilot program

Iowa House lawmakers passed legislation Wednesday to start a bachelor's degree pilot program at certain community colleges. (Brooklyn Draisey/Iowa Capital Dispatch)

by Brooklyn Draisey, Iowa Capital Dispatch March 4, 2026 The Iowa House passed legislation Wednesday to bring baccalaureate degrees to Iowa’s community colleges, with calls from Democrats for each lawmaker to assess the impacts of its potential implementation on their districts. House File 2649, which would establish a pilot program for certain community colleges to […]

Farmers could disable diesel exhaust fluid systems under House-passed bill

A farmer harvests corn beside Highway 163. (Photo by Cami Koons/Iowa Capital Dispatch)

by Cami Koons, Iowa Capital Dispatch March 2, 2026 The Iowa House advanced a bill Monday that would allow farmers to disable the diesel exhaust fluid, or DEF, systems required by federal emissions laws. House File 2529 would require manufacturers of farm equipment with DEF systems to provide diagnostic and repair information as well as […]

             

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