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Iowa Capital Dispatch
Climate experts: All dryness has left Iowa
All parts of Iowa — for the first time in more than four years — have sufficient soil moisture to not be considered “abnormally dry” by national climate experts, according to a U.S. Drought Monitor report on Thursday. That dryness designation can indicate an area is on the cusp of drought conditions, under which affected […]
FEMA approves temporary housing program for Iowans in areas hit by flooding, tornadoes
Iowans in 14 counties who had their homes significantly damaged or destroyed by recent flooding, tornadoes and severe weather will have access to temporary housing assistance through a federal program. Gov. Kim Reynolds announced earlier this week that the Federal Emergency Management Agency approved the Disaster Recovery Temporary Housing Program. The program, providing mobile homes, […]
Iowa Legislature to discuss moratorium on new casino licenses for 2025
State legislators say a moratorium on new casino licenses will be back on the table for the 2025 legislative session. After allowing the two-year moratorium to expire last session, lawmakers concerned about a new casino cannibalizing the profits of the current casino industry vow to bring a new moratorium law to the governor’s desk. State […] The post Iowa Legislature to discuss moratorium on new casino licenses for 2025 appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
Iowan accused of stealing $1.8 million from South Dakota Child Protection Services
An Iowa woman who formerly worked for the South Dakota Department of Social Services is accused of stealing an estimated $1.8 million from the department’s Division of Child Protection Services over the course of 13 years. Lonna Carroll, 68, of Algona, Iowa, is charged with two felony counts of aggravated grand theft. She was arrested […] The post Iowan accused of stealing $1.8 million from South Dakota Child Protection Services appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
Iowa Public Information Board sued over alleged open-meetings violation
The state panel charged with ensuring transparency in government is being sued for allegedly violating Iowa’s Open Meetings Law. Briana Reha of Polk County is suing the Iowa Public Information Board and its members for the manner in which they approved a pay raise for the board’s executive director, Erika Eckley. The lawsuit alleges that […] The post Iowa Public Information Board sued over alleged open-meetings violation appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation Services to end wait times for service
People with physical or mental disabilities using the Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation Services to find work won’t need to wait to be served starting in September. Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation Services (IVRS) helps eligible Iowans with disabilities find employment by connecting them to employers, running practice interviews, giving resume support, providing general consultation and more. After Iowa […] The post Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation Services to end wait times for service appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
Democratic candidates Bohannan, Baccam outraise incumbent GOP representatives
Democratic challengers Christina Bohannan and Lanon Baccam outraised U.S. Reps. Mariannette Miller-Meeks and Zach Nunn during the past three months in their congressional races to unseat the incumbent Republicans, Federal Election Commission reports show. The most recent FEC reports, released July 15, covered the period from April 1 through June 30. That timeframe included the […] The post Democratic candidates Bohannan, Baccam outraise incumbent GOP representatives appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
Planned Parenthood, ACLU seek Iowa Supreme Court rehearing on abortion case
The Iowa ACLU is asking the state Supreme Court to rehear the case on Iowa’s six-week abortion ban Friday as implementation is set to potentially begin. The Iowa Supreme Court’s 4-3 decision in late June directed the district court to lift the temporary injunction on the state’s so-called “fetal heartbeat” law that restricts most abortions […] The post Planned Parenthood, ACLU seek Iowa Supreme Court rehearing on abortion case appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
Judge finds nursing home worker was fired for being honest with inspectors
An Iowa nursing home worker was fired recently amid allegations that he was too honest with inspectors. In a separate case, a worker was fired after being accused of instructing a co-worker to lie to state inspectors. According to state records, University Park Nursing and Rehabilitation fired Jason King as the facility’s full-time maintenance director […] The post Judge finds nursing home worker was fired for being honest with inspectors appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
Rural hospitals built during baby boom now face baby bust
OSKALOOSA, Iowa — Rural regions like the one surrounding this southern Iowa town used to have a lot more babies, and many more places to give birth to them. At least 41 Iowa hospitals have shuttered their labor and delivery units since 2000. Those facilities, representing about a third of all Iowa hospitals, are located mostly in […] The post Rural hospitals built during baby boom now face baby bust appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
Iowa AG Brenna Bird tells RNC supporting Trump means supporting law enforcement
Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird told the crowd at the Republican National Convention Tuesday that electing former President Donald Trump in 2024 will support law enforcement and curtail crime in the country. Bird first won election in 2022, defeating longtime Democratic Attorney General Tom Miller who “was first elected when I was just two years […] The post Iowa AG Brenna Bird tells RNC supporting Trump means supporting law enforcement appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
Broad array of groups object to Summit pipeline permit
Legislators, counties, conservation groups and landowners have asked state regulators to reconsider their permit approval for an expansive carbon dioxide pipeline system in Iowa. A total of eight requests were filed with the Iowa Utilities Commission in the past week before a procedural deadline on Monday, and they are likely precursors to lawsuits in state […] The post Broad array of groups object to Summit pipeline permit appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
Companies claim state approved THC drinks with 10 ‘servings’ per 12-ounce can
The companies that are fighting the state’s efforts to restrict THC levels in carbonated beverages claim the state knowingly approved the sale of 12-ounce cans with up to 10 “servings” per can. Ten different Iowa companies are suing the state to block enforcement of a new hemp law that restricts the levels of THC in […] The post Companies claim state approved THC drinks with 10 ‘servings’ per 12-ounce can appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
Heat was likely a factor in 5 human bird flu infections in Colorado
Soaring temperatures made it difficult for farm workers to protect themselves from chickens recently infected by avian influenza in Colorado and likely contributed to five people contracting the virus, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. State health officials discovered the infections last week — the largest cluster of human infections in […] The post Heat was likely a factor in 5 human bird flu infections in Colorado appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
Iowa Department of the Blind Director Emily Wharton resigns
Emily Wharton, director of the Iowa Department for the Blind will be retiring Thursday, Gov. Kim Reynolds announced. Her resignation comes after battling Stage 4 kidney cancer for more than a year and a half, according to a news release from the department Tuesday. The Des Moines Register reported that she is on immunotherapy treatment […]
ISU research identifies possible point of entry for avian flu in cattle
As avian influenza is being detected in more and more dairy herds across the U.S., Iowa State University researchers have found a possible “why” connection to the virus being found in raw milk. A study published this month by a team in ISU’s College of Veterinary Medicine found that bovine mammary gland tissue held receptors […] The post ISU research identifies possible point of entry for avian flu in cattle appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
How J.D. Vance went from ‘Hillbilly Elegy’ to being tapped as Trump’s 2024 running mate
A little more than three years ago, J.D. Vance was just an author and conservative commentator. Now he might be next in line for the White House. It’s a dizzying political ascent for the 39-year-old man from Middletown, Ohio. Presumptive Republican Party presidential nominee Donald Trump announced Monday during the first day of the Republican […] The post How J.D. Vance went from ‘Hillbilly Elegy’ to being tapped as Trump’s 2024 running mate appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
Lawsuit claims lies and potential bribery tied to Marengo plant
A lawsuit alleges that a company operating an alternative fuels plant in Marengo lied to, and may have bribed, public officials before a massive explosion injured workers there in 2022. Tali Washburn, a Pottawattamie County woman who worked for the company C6-Zero as its government relations director, is now suing C6-Zero, six of its affiliates […] The post Lawsuit claims lies and potential bribery tied to Marengo plant appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
Iowa GOP Chair Jeff Kaufmann, AG Brenna Bird give nominating speeches at RNC
Iowa Republicans played important roles during the first day of the Republican National Convention Monday. Iowa GOP Chair Jeff Kaufmann kicked off the process of nominating former President Donald Trump as the official 2024 Republican presidential candidate. Later, Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird presided over the nomination of U.S. Sen. J.D. Vance as Trump’s running […] The post Iowa GOP Chair Jeff Kaufmann, AG Brenna Bird give nominating speeches at RNC appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
Summit says county pipeline ordinances overstep authority
Summit Carbon Solutions argues that the main components of two county ordinances in Iowa that sought to limit the placement of carbon dioxide pipelines are entirely overridden by the authority of state and federal regulators. The company reasserted those arguments in a recent brief in federal court — its response to the appeals by Shelby […] The post Summit says county pipeline ordinances overstep authority 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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