Columbus
Iowa Capital Dispatch
Texas U.S. House member calls for Biden to withdraw amid debate fallout
WASHINGTON — Texas U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett called for President Joe Biden to withdraw as the Democratic nominee Tuesday, becoming the first congressional Democrat to do so after Biden’s poor performance in last week’s presidential debate that has sent the party reeling four months before the November presidential election. Biden has acknowledged a shaky debate […] The post Texas U.S. House member calls for Biden to withdraw amid debate fallout appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
Feds prepare for bird flu jump to people with vaccines, tests
Federal health officials have commissioned Moderna to develop a vaccine to protect people from an avian influenza that has been circulating in dairy cattle in recent months. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services officials said Tuesday the agency would devote about $176 million to the effort, with the hope that final clinical trials might […] The post Feds prepare for bird flu jump to people with vaccines, tests appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
Massage therapist with history of sex crimes is sanctioned by state
The State of Iowa has sanctioned a massage therapist whom it unwittingly licensed in 2018 despite a history of sex crimes. The Iowa Board of Massage Therapy has issued a warning to Abelardo “AJ” Rodriguez of Iowa City and suspended his ability to practice for five years, after which he can apply for reinstatement. The […] The post Massage therapist with history of sex crimes is sanctioned by state appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
Trump NY sentencing delayed after U.S. Supreme Court presidential immunity ruling
WASHINGTON — A New York judge agreed Tuesday to delay the criminal sentencing of former President Donald Trump in the state hush money case after Trump claimed the U.S. Supreme Court’s presidential immunity decision absolves him. New York Justice Juan Merchan, who oversaw the case, ordered the delay until Sept. 18 so the court could hear arguments […] The post Trump NY sentencing delayed after U.S. Supreme Court presidential immunity ruling appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
Restaurant inspection update: Grimy blenders, mouse droppings and bad sushi
Inspectors have cited Iowa restaurants and stores for hundreds of food-safety violations in recent weeks, including octopus left to thaw in buckets, mouse droppings, and grimy blenders used to concoct smoothies. Two Iowa restaurants recently agreed to close temporarily to address the issues found by inspectors. One of the restaurants posed “an imminent health hazard” […] The post Restaurant inspection update: Grimy blenders, mouse droppings and bad sushi appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
Biden administration announces new rule to protect workers from heat-related illnesses
WASHINGTON – Senior Biden administration officials announced a proposed rule Tuesday to prevent heat-related illness in the workplace, as climate change brings hotter temperatures around the nation. In a call to reporters Monday, officials spoke on background about the new rule, which the administration sent to the Federal Register Tuesday for review. Depending on the […] The post Biden administration announces new rule to protect workers from heat-related illnesses appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
‘No kings in America’: Biden slams U.S. Supreme Court ruling granting Trump immunity
Monday’s U.S. Supreme Court decision granting the presumption of criminal immunity for official actions taken by a president fundamentally altered U.S. democracy, President Joe Biden said from the White House Monday evening. Speaking for less than five minutes, Biden said the 6-3 decision contradicted the spirit of the country’s founding — set to be celebrated nationwide this week on […] The post ‘No kings in America’: Biden slams U.S. Supreme Court ruling granting Trump immunity appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
Indian Hills Community College receives $1 million for trucker training
Another Iowa community college will expand its commercial driving training program using federal funding secured this spring. U.S. Rep. Zach Nunn visited Indian Hills Community College in Ottumwa Monday to announce the community college will receive a $1 million investment to build a new driving pad for its truck driver education program. The grant was […] The post Indian Hills Community College receives $1 million for trucker training appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
Coalition sees future of Iowa agriculture in food diversity, not ethanol and animal feed
A new plan for Iowa agriculture seeks to increase the state’s production of food rather than ethanol and animal feed, the Iowa Food System Coalition announced at a Monday press conference. The plan, known as Setting the Table for All Iowans, outlines the coalition’s policy goals which include producing more locally grown food, getting more […] The post Coalition sees future of Iowa agriculture in food diversity, not ethanol and animal feed appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
Summit proposes August and September meetings for pipeline extensions
The company that recently gained approval from state regulators for its carbon dioxide pipeline system in Iowa wants to proceed with expansion requests for that system starting in late August. Summit Carbon Solutions has proposed new public informational meeting dates for 23 counties that would span about four weeks, according to documents recently filed with […] The post Summit proposes August and September meetings for pipeline extensions appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
Reynolds, Congress members protest federal child labor law enforcement
Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds and the state’s all-Republican congressional delegation sent letters Monday to the U.S. Department of Labor, criticizing its enforcement of federal child labor laws on Iowa businesses following a state law change. A 2023 Iowa child labor law loosened some restrictions on minor workers, despite warnings from the Department of Labor that […] The post Reynolds, Congress members protest federal child labor law enforcement appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
U.S. House Judiciary files suit to obtain audio tapes of Biden special counsel interview
WASHINGTON — The U.S. House Judiciary Committee Monday filed suit against Attorney General Merrick Garland, in an ongoing effort to obtain audio recordings from President Joe Biden’s interview with a special counsel during an investigation of the president’s handling of classified documents. The suit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, asks […] The post U.S. House Judiciary files suit to obtain audio tapes of Biden special counsel interview appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
Presidential immunity extends to some official acts, Supreme Court rules in Trump case
WASHINGTON — U.S. presidents enjoy full immunity from criminal charges for their official “core constitutional” acts, but no immunity for unofficial acts, the Supreme Court ruled Monday, sending former President Donald Trump’s election interference case back to the lower courts. The justices left open the question of how far the boundaries of such official acts […] The post Presidential immunity extends to some official acts, Supreme Court rules in Trump case appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
Here are some of the new laws that take effect July 1 in Iowa
Dozens of the laws passed during the 2024 legislative session take effect Monday, including measures cutting state boards and commissions, limiting the potency of consumable hemp products and setting new education policies for public K-12 schools. During the 2024 legislative session, the Republican-controlled Legislature passed more than 180 bills on subjects from tax cuts to […] The post Here are some of the new laws that take effect July 1 in Iowa appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
Modern-day ‘Comstocks’ look to police travel, information as another strategy to end abortion
Mark Lee Dickson says he’s been home maybe once in the two years since the U.S. Supreme Court vanished federal abortion rights in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization. The 38-year-old director of Right to Life of East Texas in Longview has been on an endless road trip trying to set legal traps for people […] The post Modern-day ‘Comstocks’ look to police travel, information as another strategy to end abortion appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
Presidential election seen as climate turning point as CO2 hits record
WASHINGTON – Despite policies the Biden administration has championed to target climate change, recent findings show carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is at an all-time high, raising the stakes for November’s presidential election among advocates for aggressive climate action. Recent data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration indicate that carbon dioxide in the atmosphere has been […] The post Presidential election seen as climate turning point as CO2 hits record appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
Deadlines loom for college student financial aid, state grants and scholarships
The end of a tumultuous year for student aid is coming to a close as deadlines for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, are set to pass next week. The 2024-2025 FAFSA, which covers the 2024-25 school year through June 30, 2025, had a rough start in its Dec. 30 soft launch […] The post Deadlines loom for college student financial aid, state grants and scholarships appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
Iowa abortion providers, advocates prepare for state law to take effect
Reproductive health care advocates and providers are preparing for how to help Iowans access abortion following Friday’s Iowa Supreme Court decision that will allow the state’s six-week abortion ban to take effect. The state Supreme Court issued a 4-3 ruling Friday morning that would allow for enforcement of a 2023 law banning most abortions after […] The post Iowa abortion providers, advocates prepare for state law to take effect appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
Fired MercyOne nurse who clashed with physician claims retaliation
A clinic nurse who claims she was marginalized and then fired by MercyOne Health Services after fielding employees’ complaints about a physician is now suing the company. In lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Iowa, Kristin Flatness alleges that while she worked for MercyOne as a clinic manager, she was […] The post Fired MercyOne nurse who clashed with physician claims retaliation appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
Democrats reel from ‘terrible’ Biden debate performance as he defends candidacy
WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden touched on a flood of criticism of his debate performance during a rally on Friday, while Democrats interviewed on Capitol Hill said the party must figure out a way to reassure voters after what they described as a “terrible” showing and a “bad night.” Biden, speaking from Raleigh, North Carolina, […] The post Democrats reel from ‘terrible’ Biden debate performance as he defends candidacy appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
Iowa Capital Dispatch
6K+
Posts
75M+
Views
Iowa has long enjoyed a reputation for clean government. But what would happen if nobody was watching? The Iowa Capital Dispatch is a hard-hitting, independent news organization dedicated to connecting Iowans to their state government and its impact on their lives. The Capital Dispatch combines state government coverage with relentless investigative journalism, deep dives into the consequences of policy, political insight, and principled commentary. We deeply believe in sharing the stories of people outside the halls of power, connecting the actions of state leaders to their impacts on Iowans. We also believe that without strong community journalism, Iowans risk losing the government integrity and accountability they have long valued. The Capital Dispatch is part of States Newsroom, a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit supported by grants and a coalition of donors and readers. The Iowa Capital Dispatch retains editorial independence.
Welcome to NewsBreak, an open platform where diverse perspectives converge. Most of our content comes from established publications and journalists, as well as from our extensive network of tens of thousands of creators who contribute to our platform. We empower individuals to share insightful viewpoints through short posts and comments. It’s essential to note our commitment to transparency: our Terms of Use acknowledge that our services may not always be error-free, and our Community Standards emphasize our discretion in enforcing policies. We strive to foster a dynamic environment for free expression and robust discourse through safety guardrails of human and AI moderation. Join us in shaping the news narrative together.