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Iowa Capital Dispatch
U.S. Supreme Court upholds law that prevents domestic abusers from owning guns
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Supreme Court Friday upheld a federal law that bars people subject to domestic violence restraining orders from owning a firearm. In an 8-1 decision on United States v. Rahimi, Chief Justice John Roberts wrote in the opinion that “our Nation’s firearm laws have included provisions preventing individuals who threaten physical harm to others […] The post U.S. Supreme Court upholds law that prevents domestic abusers from owning guns appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
Guns win. Americans lose.
They sounded like they cared. In the aftermath of a mad gunman’s horrifying massacre of 60 people at a concert in Las Vegas seven years ago, members of Congress from Iowa sent this message: It made no sense that bump stocks — the device that allows semi-automatic weapons to act like machine guns — could […] The post Guns win. Americans lose. appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
The number of job openings has declined sharply in every state
The number of job openings has declined sharply in every state since 2022, better aligning the numbers of unfilled jobs and people seeking work. Nationally, for the first time since before the pandemic, the number of job openings and unemployed people is roughly in balance: a little more than one opening per person looking for […] The post The number of job openings has declined sharply in every state appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
Congress silenced free speech in TikTok law, platform tells federal court
TikTok and its parent company argued Thursday in a federal court in the District of Columbia that the recently enacted law forcing a nationwide ban or sale of the popular platform violates the First Amendment. TikTok Inc., which operates the video-sharing service in the United States, and its parent company, ByteDance Ltd., which was founded […] The post Congress silenced free speech in TikTok law, platform tells federal court appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
‘Extremely low pay’ cited at U.S. Senate hearing as prime reason for teacher shortage
WASHINGTON — The only reason John Arthur is able to be a public school teacher is because his wife makes much more money than he does. Arthur — the 2021 Utah Teacher of the Year — testified on Thursday at a hearing in the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions on the […] The post ‘Extremely low pay’ cited at U.S. Senate hearing as prime reason for teacher shortage appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
Bird flu found in Sac County turkey flock
A very transmissible avian flu recently infected a flock of about 46,000 turkeys at a commercial farm in Sac County in northwest Iowa, according to the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship. It is the third poultry flock to be infected in Iowa this year. The last detection of highly pathogenic avian influenza in […] The post Bird flu found in Sac County turkey flock appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
Iowa unemployment rate remains at 2.8% in May
Iowa’s unemployment rate has remained steady at 2.8% in May, according to data from Iowa Workforce Development, despite slightly lower workforce participation. The state’s labor force participation rate fell slightly from 66.8% to 66.7% in the past month, despite the number of unemployed Iowans decreasing by 300 to 46,900 people in the same time period. […] The post Iowa unemployment rate remains at 2.8% in May appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
Iowa nurses accused of lethal errors, theft and being impaired while on duty
The Iowa Board of Nursing has taken action against nurses accused of stealing medications, being under the influence of drugs or alcohol at work, and inadvertently contributing to a hospital patient’s death. One of the cases involves Rahni Brower, 40, of Carroll, who was charged by the board with misappropriating patient medications and committing an […] The post Iowa nurses accused of lethal errors, theft and being impaired while on duty appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
Democrats stress reproductive rights in fight for control of Congress, White House
WASHINGTON — Top Democratic campaign officials Thursday pressed their case for control of Congress and the White House by pointing toward the upcoming two-year anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court overturning the constitutional right to an abortion. More than a dozen Democrats also introduced legislation in Congress to prevent a future Republican administration from using […] The post Democrats stress reproductive rights in fight for control of Congress, White House appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
We need warning labels on social media to protect children but that’s not enough
Surgeon General Vivek Murthy is advocating for warning labels on social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram, X and Facebook, informing users about mental health risks for the nation’s youth. He bases his analysis on tobacco warning labels changing users’ behaviors and addictions. You can read his New York Times guest essay here. He writes, “The […] The post We need warning labels on social media to protect children but that’s not enough appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
Come together for World Refugee Day
World Refugee Day is observed nationally on June 20 each year across the globe. It’s a day dedicated to raising awareness of the situation of refugees around the world. On Saturday, June 22, 2024, the Refugee Alliance of Central Iowa (RACI) is organizing its 11th annual World Refugee Day event from 12 to 4 p.m. […] The post Come together for World Refugee Day appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
Scientists argue over the origins of COVID-19 before U.S. Senate panel
WASHINGTON — Scientists debated the origins of COVID-19 this week, trading barbs over whether the bulk of evidence available points to a natural spillover event from a wild animal or a virus designed in a lab and then let loose through an inadvertent leak. The hearing Tuesday in front of the U.S. Senate Homeland Security […] The post Scientists argue over the origins of COVID-19 before U.S. Senate panel appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
Dyersville golf course failed for years to test and report drinking water quality
An eastern Iowa golf course that is required to treat its drinking water for bacteria and nitrate contamination has failed to consistently test it for safety and report results to state regulators since 2018, according to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. The DNR recently fined Rolling Knolls Golf Course, of Dyersville, about $7,400 for […] The post Dyersville golf course failed for years to test and report drinking water quality appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
DMACC Foundation golf tournament raises $500,000 for scholarships
The DMACC Foundation broke its record for student scholarship fundraising at its annual DMACC CEO golf tournament, allowing the community college to give out more scholarship dollars than ever. The 17th-annual tournament, held June 13 at DMACC alum Dennis Albaugh’s Talons Golf Course, hosted 120 central Iowa executives and raised $500,000 for scholarships, according to […] The post DMACC Foundation golf tournament raises $500,000 for scholarships appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
For child care workers, state aid for their own kids’ care is ‘life-changing’
SMITHFIELD, R.I. — Child care worker Marci Then, 32, looked over at two 4-year-olds in her care who were tussling over a toy plate in a model kitchen set. “Are we sharing?” she gently asked them. They both let go. Then works at Little Learners Academy child care center near Providence, Rhode Island. Her daughter, […] The post For child care workers, state aid for their own kids’ care is ‘life-changing’ appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
Juneteenth events to celebrate around Iowa
Organizations and cities across Iowa are celebrating Juneteenth with music festivals, learning opportunities and more. Juneteenth, observed annually on June 19, celebrates the day slavery ended in the United States. President Joe Biden signed legislation in 2021 making Juneteenth an official federal holiday like Memorial Day or Labor Day. Here is a look at six […] The post Juneteenth events to celebrate around Iowa appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
Boeing CEO apologizes to families for aircraft safety failings
Boeing CEO David Calhoun on Tuesday apologized to the families of people who died in crashes in the manufacturer’s planes, while members of both parties on a U.S. Senate panel grilled the executive for failing on safety and transparency. Calhoun appeared at a hearing of the Investigations Subcommittee of the Senate Homeland Security and Government […] The post Boeing CEO apologizes to families for aircraft safety failings appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
After U.S. Supreme Court decision to allow bump stocks, U.S. Senate rejects bill to ban them
WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts blocked a bipartisan bill Tuesday that would ban bump stocks following a Supreme Court decision that repealed a Trump-era rule against using the gun accessory. Ricketts, a Nebraska Republican, objected to New Mexico Democratic Sen. Martin Heinrich’s request that the chamber approve his bill — cosponsored by Nevada Democratic […] The post After U.S. Supreme Court decision to allow bump stocks, U.S. Senate rejects bill to ban them appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
Democratic women in U.S. Senate target Project 2025 on reproductive rights
WASHINGTON – Senate Democrats held a press conference Tuesday to stand up for reproductive rights and freedoms, criticizing a plan by a conservative think tank that if adopted would hinder abortion and contraception access in a Trump administration. The lawmakers called attention to the potential restrictions former President Donald Trump could employ to reproductive health […] The post Democratic women in U.S. Senate target Project 2025 on reproductive rights appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
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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.
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