Stories written by Freelance Writer

by Robin Opsahl, Iowa Capital Dispatch June 3, 2024 A study from an Iowa research institute found that the latest individual income tax cuts will result in $1.85 billion in tax savings for income tax payers in the next decade. The Common Sense Institute Iowa, the Iowa chapter of a think tank with chapters in […]
Jun 4 2024 | Posted in
State News |
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by Lia Chien, Iowa Capital Dispatch June 3, 2024 WASHINGTON — A rule proposed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture would eliminate pay deductions for chicken producers, Secretary Tom Vilsack said Monday. Under the current poultry payment system, an incentive-based arrangement known within the industry as a tournament system, farmers who raise poultry earn a base payment from the […]
Jun 4 2024 | Posted in
State News |
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by Jared Strong, Iowa Capital Dispatch May 30, 2024 Heavy rainfall last week eliminated the remaining pocket of drought in Iowa, according to the latest U.S. Drought Monitor report. It’s the first time in nearly four years that none of the state is experiencing drought and marks a significant turnaround from September, when Iowa was […]
May 31 2024 | Posted in
State News |
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by Ashley Murray, Iowa Capital Dispatch May 30, 2024 WASHINGTON — Jurors in New York state court on Thursday found Donald Trump guilty on all 34 felony counts of falsifying business records to cover up hush money payments to a porn star ultimately to influence the outcome of the 2016 presidential election. The first-ever criminal […]
May 31 2024 | Posted in
National News |
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by Jared Strong, Iowa Capital Dispatch May 28, 2024 Iowa farmers had an average of about two days available for field work last week due to severe weather that spawned damaging winds, nearly 30 tornadoes and triple the typical precipitation, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. “Our hearts go out to all the Iowans […]
May 30 2024 | Posted in
State News |
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by Brooklyn Draisey, Iowa Capital Dispatch May 27, 2024 Grinnell College has made a “decisive step” forward in the direction of operating without emissions with the completion of a 9,000-panel solar array. One-third of Grinnell College’s campus is now running on renewable energy with the array, the largest private solar installation in the state, Grinnell […]

by Robin Opsahl, Iowa Capital Dispatch May 24, 2024 President Joe Biden on Friday approved Gov. Kim Reynolds’ request for federal assistance for Iowa areas impacted by tornadoes this week, including the deadly twister that hit Greenfield. Biden made the major disaster declaration for Adair, Montgomery, Polk and Story counties that were impacted by severe […]
May 25 2024 | Posted in
State News |
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by Allison Winter, Iowa Capital Dispatch May 23, 2024 WASHINGTON — Democrats and Republicans on the U.S. House Agriculture Committee clashed late into the evening Thursday over funding for food and nutrition programs as part of Republicans’ sweeping proposal for the new five-year farm bill. The committee’s $1.5 trillion omnibus farm bill would set policy […]
May 24 2024 | Posted in
National News |
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by Robin Opsahl, Iowa Capital Dispatch May 22, 2024 Gov. Kim Reynolds, touring what she called “horrific” damage in Greenfield from Tuesday’s tornadoes, emphasized the resiliency of the Iowa communities and appreciation for the support received in the day since the storm. As severe weather impacted areas across Iowa, Greenfield was hit by a major […]

by Jane Norman, Iowa Capital Dispatch May 22, 2024 WASHINGTON — Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, on a call with reporters Wednesday, strongly criticized a farm bill draft written by U.S. House Republicans, saying it would damage the coalition that traditionally has united behind farm bills and “raises the real possibility of being unable to get […]