Category archives for: State News

Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report April 13-19, 2026

Iowa Department of Agriculture

DES MOINES, Iowa (April 20, 2026) – Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig commented on the Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report released by the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service. The report is released weekly April through November. Additionally, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship provides a weather summary each week during this […]

Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report April 6 – 12, 2026

Iowa Department of Agriculture

DES MOINES, Iowa (Apr. 13, 2026) – Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig commented on the Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report released by the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service. The report is released weekly April through November. Additionally, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship provides a weather summary each week during this […]

Sand, Feenstra launch campaign ads as race rated ‘toss-up’ by political forecasters

Iowa Auditor Rob Sand and his gubernatorial campaign staff brought multiple boxes containing binders of petition signatures to the Iowa Secretary of State’s office March 9, 2026, submitting paperwork qualifying his Iowa gubernatorial campaign for the 2026 ballot. (Photo by Robin Opsahl/Iowa Capital Dispatch)

by Robin Opsahl, Iowa Capital Dispatch April 15, 2026 Iowa Auditor Rob Sand and U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra launched political ads for their gubernatorial campaigns Wednesday as political pundits predict a tighter 2026 race than previously expected. Sand, a Democrat, released his first ad Wednesday titled “Stealing is Bad,” a 30-second spot that will play […]

Iowa House passes sales tax exemption for nuclear energy facilities

The Duane Arnold Energy Center in Palo, which ceased operations in 2020 and is currently projected to be restarted by 2029 by NextEra Energy. (Photo via NextEra Energy)

by Robin Opsahl, Iowa Capital Dispatch April 15, 2026 The Iowa House approved a bill Wednesday that would give nuclear energy facilities an exemption on sales and use taxes. House File 2757, which passed in a 94-1 vote, comes as work is being done to restart a decommissioned nuclear facility in the state — Duane […]

Tom Vilsack’s papers head to Drake University library collection

Drake University President Marty Martin, left, and former Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack signed an agreement for the university to house Vilsack’s professional and personal papers. (Photo courtesy of Drake University)

by Brooklyn Draisey, Iowa Capital Dispatch April 14, 2026 Drake University’s Cowles Library will soon become the home for documents donated by former Iowa governor and former U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack. The Des Moines private university announced in a news release Tuesday that Vilsack and Drake University President Marty Martin signed an agreement […]

As U.S. Catholic conversions grow, experts point to multiple drivers

The Diocese of Des Moines saw 400 people join the Catholic Church this Easter as conversions to the religion grow. Shown here is St. Ambrose Cathedral in Des Moines. (Photo by Kathie Obradovich/Iowa Capital Dispatch)

by Brooklyn Draisey, Iowa Capital Dispatch April 8, 2026 Catholic churches and organizations across Iowa and the U.S. are seeing rising numbers of converts to the religion, scholars and officials say, in part due to the digital age and renewed searching for community and meaning. The Diocese of Des Moines, which spans 80 parishes in […]

Iowa’s Labor Force Participation Grows to 67.9 Percent; Unemployment Steady at 3.4 Percent

Iowa Workforce Development

DES MOINES, IOWA – Iowa added 6,400 jobs and increased its Labor Force Participation Rate to 67.9 percent in January. December’s Labor Force Participation Rate, previously reported at 67.7 percent, was also revised upward to 67.9 percent amid an annual revision of labor statistics. Meanwhile, the state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate, which had been revised […]

Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report March 30 – April 5, 2026

Iowa Department of Agriculture

DES MOINES, Iowa (Apr. 6, 2026) – Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig commented on the Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report released by the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service. The report is released weekly April through November. Additionally, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship provides a weather summary each week during this […]

Iowa House passes bill requiring truck drivers to pass English proficiency test for license

Tractor trailers sit parked in a row at a truck stop in Bloomsbury, N.J. (Dana DiFilippo/New Jersey Monitor)

by Robin Opsahl, Iowa Capital Dispatch March 31, 2026 The Iowa House passed a bill Tuesday to require commercial truck drivers take an English proficiency test in order to get their license. Senate File 2426, passed 68-24, adds a new requirement for applicants seeking or renewing a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) to meet English proficiency […]

Iowa volunteers begin water testing as advocates push for state funding

Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement is kicking off its volunteer water monitoring program with Nitrate Watch. (Photo courtesy of USDA)

by Zach Sommers, Iowa Capital Dispatch March 30, 2026 Iowa volunteers concerned with the state’s water quality are beginning a new season of independent testing for nitrates in bodies of water surrounding where they live. Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement has kicked off its third year with the Nitrate Watch program. The program, run by […]

           

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