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Iowa Capital Dispatch
White nationalist, anti-LGBTQ activity on the rise, annual hate report shows
WASHINGTON — Emboldened by the mainstreaming of hard-right politics ahead of a presidential election cycle, white nationalist and anti-LGBTQ+ groups increased to record levels in the United States last year, according to the Southern Poverty Law Center’s latest annual report on hate and extremism released Tuesday. The Southern Poverty Law Center, which has published the annual report […] The post White nationalist, anti-LGBTQ activity on the rise, annual hate report shows appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
U.S. House GOP spotlights immigration effects on schools as Biden issues asylum order
WASHINGTON — U.S. House Republicans on Tuesday argued that migrants coming from the southern border and into K-12 schools have strained resources and teacher-student ratios while leaving a “staggering” financial impact throughout the United States. The hearing in the U.S. House Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education came the same day as President […] The post U.S. House GOP spotlights immigration effects on schools as Biden issues asylum order appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
University of Northern Iowa technology research bolstered by grant funding
University of Northern Iowa physics faculty have received national funding to support four projects focused on quantum information and computing, biomanufacturing and engineering. The National Science Foundation has awarded the university three grants — the largest being a five-year, $20 million grant in which UNI will partner with the University of Iowa, Iowa State University, […] The post University of Northern Iowa technology research bolstered by grant funding appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
Judge denies ex-cop’s request to reconsider prison sentence
A district court judge declined to reduce the sentence of a former police officer accused of repeatedly harassing and stalking a woman in recent years, according to court records. Walter Pacheco, 29, of Pleasant Hill, was sentenced to up to 19 years in prison in April after the judge decided he had wantonly violated the […] The post Judge denies ex-cop’s request to reconsider prison sentence appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
To preserve our justice system, we need to accept outcomes we dislike
Most people go through life never stepping foot inside a courtroom. Most people, that is, except for attorneys, judges, journalists, the few of us chosen to be jurors, and an even more select group, those who are accused of crimes. If I were talking now with my dear parents, may they rest in peace, I […] The post To preserve our justice system, we need to accept outcomes we dislike appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
Executive order limiting asylum at the U.S.-Mexico border signed by Biden
WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden on Tuesday issued an executive order that will allow him to partially suspend asylum requests at the U.S.-Mexico border when daily unauthorized crossings reach a threshold of 2,500 migrants. “I’ve come here today to do what Republicans in Congress refuse to do, take the necessary steps to secure our border,” […] The post Executive order limiting asylum at the U.S.-Mexico border signed by Biden appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
Bird flu’s spread from poultry to cattle to humans provokes worry among feds, states
Dairy farmers throughout the country are on guard and the federal government is mobilizing after an outbreak among cattle herds of highly pathogenic avian influenza — once thought to be confined to poultry flocks. What’s more, the virus, also known as H5N1 or bird flu, was diagnosed in a third dairy farmworker last week, marking […] The post Bird flu’s spread from poultry to cattle to humans provokes worry among feds, states appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
John Deere Scholars program offers pipeline to UI education for Davenport students
The John Deere Foundation has committed $6.6 million over six years to a collaboration with the University of Iowa and Davenport Community School District to provide additional education, support services and funds to high school seniors. “I think this is an excellent example of the public sector and the private sector coming together to solve […] The post John Deere Scholars program offers pipeline to UI education for Davenport students appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
Study finds 2024 income tax cuts will result in $1.85 billion in tax savings over 10 years
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 Colorado, Washington and Arizona focused on the “future of […] The post Study finds 2024 income tax cuts will result in $1.85 billion in tax savings over 10 years appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
USDA aims to aid small farmers by barring pay deductions from poultry companies
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 companies that buy the product and bring it to […] The post USDA aims to aid small farmers by barring pay deductions from poultry companies appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
Fauci defends his work on COVID-19, says he has an ‘open mind’ on its origins
WASHINGTON — Dr. Anthony Fauci defended his decision-making during the COVID-19 pandemic on Monday, testifying before Congress about his work on the virus as the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases during two presidencies. House Republicans who called the hearing grilled Fauci during the contentious three-hour session about the origins of […] The post Fauci defends his work on COVID-19, says he has an ‘open mind’ on its origins appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
A bipartisan push to make air travel easier for new parents packing breast milk and formula
As the summer travel season approaches, new parents may be navigating airports with their babies — and the complexities of keeping them fed. Despite federal guidelines for airport agents laying out how to treat nursing moms, stories about problem encounters with security sometimes go viral. In 2023, actress and singer Keke Palmer said she was […] The post A bipartisan push to make air travel easier for new parents packing breast milk and formula appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
Caring for your loved ones is the nursing home industry’s business, not its concern
The Biden administration recently finalized a rule that would require nursing homes in America to have a minimum level of staff on duty at all times. As advocates for consumers in nursing homes and other settings for over 18 years, we see the rule as necessary, achievable, and long overdue. It will allow nursing home […] The post Caring for your loved ones is the nursing home industry’s business, not its concern appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
Bird flu found in second Iowa flock in a week
Highly transmissible avian flu infected a turkey flock in Cherokee County with about 103,000 birds, according to the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship. The department announced the virus detection on Sunday. It was the second such announcement in a week, and the highly pathogenic avian influenza infections are the first two in Iowa […] The post Bird flu found in second Iowa flock in a week appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
Montana senator holds up nomination of state’s first Native American federal judge
WASHINGTON — U.S. Republican Sen. Steve Daines of Montana is blocking the nomination of a lawyer who, if confirmed by the Senate, would be the first Native American to serve as a federal judge in the state. Daines objected to the White House’s nomination of Danna Jackson, a tribal attorney for the Confederated Salish and […] The post Montana senator holds up nomination of state’s first Native American federal judge appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
An obscure drug discount program stifles use of federal lifeline by rural hospitals
Facing ongoing concerns about rural hospital closures, Capitol Hill lawmakers have introduced a spate of proposals to fix a federal program created to keep lifesaving services in small towns nationwide. In Anamosa, Iowa — a town of fewer than 6,000 residents located more than 900 miles from the nation’s capital — rural hospital leader Eric […] The post An obscure drug discount program stifles use of federal lifeline by rural hospitals appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
Dubuque plans to buy two mobile home parks to ease tenants’ rent burden
Terrible road infrastructure, water leaks, overcharging for water leaks and consistent rent hikes are why tenants of two Dubuque mobile home parks are encouraging the city to follow through on its plan to buy the parks, according to city officials. The city is seeking a $50 million grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and […] The post Dubuque plans to buy two mobile home parks to ease tenants’ rent burden appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
States are already collecting more abortion data. And HIPAA won’t always keep it private.
Years before the Dobbs decision that struck down U.S. constitutional abortion rights, providers like Dr. Kylie Cooper were already uncomfortable with some of the reporting requirements for abortion procedures in states where they practiced. Cooper was a maternal-fetal medicine specialist for several years in Idaho before she reluctantly left the state in 2023 because of the near-total […] The post States are already collecting more abortion data. And HIPAA won’t always keep it private. appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
These people aren’t serious about our most basic enterprise: food
Politicians do not appear to be serious about passing a new five-year farm bill before the November elections. The House Agriculture Committee controlled by Republicans last week on a 33-21 vote recommended a bill to the floor that is dead on arrival in the Senate. The bill will cut nutrition benefits by $27 billion, which […] The post These people aren’t serious about our most basic enterprise: food appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
Goose poop blamed for excessive bacteria at Storm Lake beach
The water at a Storm Lake beach this week had about 50 times the amount of bacteria that triggers a swim warning from the state, according to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. The cause? Geese feces, said Kim Woltman, the city’s public services program manager. “We do have...
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