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Iowa Capital Dispatch
Biden Title IX regulation targeted by Republicans in Congress
WASHINGTON — Republicans in Congress got one step further in their efforts to reverse the Biden administration’s final rule for Title IX after the U.S. House Committee on Education and the Workforce approved a measure on Thursday that would overturn the updated regulations. The U.S. Department of Education’s final rule — which seeks to protect […] The post Biden Title IX regulation targeted by Republicans in Congress appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
DNR proposes new deer hunting restrictions for southwest Iowa
State regulators are seeking to severely restrict the hunting of female deer in several southwest Iowa counties in an effort to increase the animal’s population in that area. Hunters in six counties would be barred from shooting white-tailed does during the first shotgun season, and none of the counties will have additional doe licenses available […] The post DNR proposes new deer hunting restrictions for southwest Iowa appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
New fertilizer production plant opens in Boone
More than 100 employees, farmers and local community members turned out Thursday for the grand opening of a 75,000-square-foot fertilizer production and distribution facility in Boone. The $15 million facility, owned by Landus Cooperative in rural central Iowa, will lower costs on local farmers, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and support dozens of local businesses, according […] The post New fertilizer production plant opens in Boone appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
State grants go to four community colleges to support career academies
Four community colleges will use grants provided by the state to launch or expand career academies for students to get a head start in a high-demand career. Gov. Kim Reynolds and the Iowa Department of Education awarded $1 million each to Eastern Iowa Community Colleges, Iowa Western Community College and Iowa Valley Community College District, […] The post State grants go to four community colleges to support career academies appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
U.S. Senate Republicans reject Democrats’ bill on IVF protections
WASHINGTON — U.S. Senate Democrats’ attempts to bolster reproductive rights failed again Thursday when Republicans blocked a bill guaranteeing access to in vitro fertilization from moving forward. The 48-47 procedural vote came just one day after Republicans tried unsuccessfully to pass their own IVF access bill and one week after GOP senators prevented legislation from advancing that […] The post U.S. Senate Republicans reject Democrats’ bill on IVF protections appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
Nurse alleges understaffing and unsafe conditions in Iowa care facility
The former director of nursing at an Iowa care facility claims her employer violated state and federal laws by forcing residents into the home when it was understaffed and unsafe. Stephanie Schlegelmilch is suing the Avoca Specialty Care facility of Pottawattamie County, and its owner, Care Initiatives of West Des Moines, in U.S. District Court. […] The post Nurse alleges understaffing and unsafe conditions in Iowa care facility appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
U.S. Supreme Court rejects attempt to limit access to abortion pill
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in a much-anticipated decision Thursday that mifepristone, one of two pharmaceuticals used in medication abortion, can remain available under current prescribing guidelines. The high court unanimously rejected attempts by anti-abortion groups to roll back access to what was in place more than eight years ago, writing that they […] The post U.S. Supreme Court rejects attempt to limit access to abortion pill appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
University of Iowa students protest at Iowa Board of Regents meeting
Protestors waited in silence, holding signs calling for a free Palestine and for the University of Iowa to end its mandatory fees for graduate workers, while the Iowa Board of Regents conducted its meeting Wednesday. The protesters had gathered outside before walking up the stairs of the Levitt Center, their chants echoing throughout the building […] The post University of Iowa students protest at Iowa Board of Regents meeting appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
U.S. House GOP votes to hold attorney general in contempt in dispute over audio recording
WASHINGTON — U.S. House Republicans voted Wednesday to hold Attorney General Merrick Garland in contempt of Congress for his refusal to release audio recordings of President Joe Biden’s interviews with Department of Justice officials. The GOP lawmakers maintain the audio is valuable for their monthslong impeachment inquiry into Biden. House Republicans brought the contempt citation […] The post U.S. House GOP votes to hold attorney general in contempt in dispute over audio recording appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
Iowa care facility nurse fired for ‘callous disregard’ of residents’ needs
An Iowa nursing home worker who was fired for dismissing residents’ complaints of pain as mere drug-seeking behavior is not entitled to unemployment benefits, a judge has ruled. Leann McVay, a state-licensed practical nurse, was employed by one of Iowa’s largest nursing home chains, Care Initiatives, until March 18 of this year when she was […] The post Iowa care facility nurse fired for ‘callous disregard’ of residents’ needs appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
Republican IVF bill fails in U.S. Senate
WASHINGTON — Alabama Republican Sen. Katie Britt’s efforts to pass legislation that would block Medicaid funding from going to states that ban in vitro fertilization were unsuccessful Wednesday when Democrats blocked the bill from advancing. Britt, who introduced the legislation earlier this year alongside Texas Republican Sen. Ted Cruz, said during brief debate the bill would assuage concerns […] The post Republican IVF bill fails in U.S. Senate appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
Watchdog group, GOP U.S. House members blast ‘reckless’ earmark spending
WASHINGTON – A group opposed to wasteful government spending and a handful of U.S. House Republicans warned at a Wednesday press event that project-specific spending known as earmarks was contributing to an increase in the national debt. The event to discuss the Citizens Against Government Waste’s latest annual report, titled the 2024 Congressional Pig Book and released […] The post Watchdog group, GOP U.S. House members blast ‘reckless’ earmark spending appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
Iowa regents signal support for CYTown development progress
Despite a state lawmaker’s call for caution, members of the Iowa Board of Regents signaled their support Wednesday for Iowa State University’s pursuit of the proposed CYTown development. The board’s Property and Facilities Committee recommended approval Wednesday for ISU to enter into a lease agreement with an “anchor tenant” and sign a memorandum of understanding […] The post Iowa regents signal support for CYTown development progress appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
Bird flu infects another Sioux County dairy farm
Avian flu has infected cattle of a third dairy farm in northwest Iowa, according to the state Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship. All three of the highly pathogenic avian influenza infections — the first in cattle in the state — have been discovered by testing in the past week. The two most-recent detections were […] The post Bird flu infects another Sioux County dairy farm appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
Immigrant advocates, congressional Dems press Biden for permanent protections
WASHINGTON — Ashly Trejo Mejia is eager to attend medical school, but she’s not sure she can pursue that dream because of an upcoming court decision that could end the Obama-era program meant to temporarily protect immigrants like her who were brought into the country illegally as children. “You’re frozen in time,” she said. The […] The post Immigrant advocates, congressional Dems press Biden for permanent protections appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
Company to pay $7,600 for Cedar Rapids trout kill
The owner of a vacant commercial building that leaked about 450,000 gallons of water into the state’s only urban trout stream in January — and killed hundreds of fish — will pay a fine and restitution that total about $7,600, according to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. The source of the leak was a […] The post Company to pay $7,600 for Cedar Rapids trout kill appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
State renewed dog breeder’s license while neglect charges were pending
State officials renewed the license of a Boone County dog breeder earlier this year while the man was facing multiple criminal charges of animal neglect. Now, those same state officials say they are attempting to have the man surrender that license and relinquish the dogs in his care. Last September, a Boone County deputy was […] The post State renewed dog breeder’s license while neglect charges were pending appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
1 in 4 Iowa students are chronically absent from school
One in four Iowa students was chronically absent from school during the 2021-22 school year, according to a new report from the Annie E. Casey Foundation. Officials hope a tiered approach to the problem will encourage schoolwide attendance and remove any barriers to attendance. They also hope additional investments in Iowa schools will counter the […] The post 1 in 4 Iowa students are chronically absent from school appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
Appeals court hears arguments on injunction blocking Iowa school book law
Attorneys for the state of Iowa and civil liberties groups clashed in court Tuesday over an injunction blocking enforcement of a law that restricts school libraries from carrying books with material related to sex acts, sexuality and gender. The injunction was imposed by U.S. District Court Judge Stephen Locher in December 2023, days before enforcement […] The post Appeals court hears arguments on injunction blocking Iowa school book law appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
Pair of U.S. House Dems add to chorus calling for Alito, Thomas recusals
WASHINGTON — U.S. House Democrats echoed Senate colleagues Tuesday in calling for U.S. Supreme Court Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito to recuse themselves from Jan. 6 cases, and for congressional Republicans to support passing an enforceable ethics code for the entire bench. Reps. Jamie Raskin, ranking member of the U.S. House Committee on Oversight […] The post Pair of U.S. House Dems add to chorus calling for Alito, Thomas recusals 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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