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Iowa Capital Dispatch
Immigration group pleads for help bringing deported relatives back to the U.S.
WASHINGTON – The Ohio Immigrant Alliance spoke Tuesday at the U.S. Capitol and called on members of Congress to bring deported family members back home to the United States. Present at Tuesday’s press conference were relatives of the deported asking for both Congress and President Joe Biden to reform the American immigration system and allow […] The post Immigration group pleads for help bringing deported relatives back to the U.S. appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
Biden touts gun safety record to advocates, as son found guilty on felony charges
WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden on Tuesday touted his administration’s efforts to reduce gun violence as the second anniversary of bipartisan gun safety legislation he signed into law approaches. “Never give up on hope,” Biden said during an annual conference hosted by the advocacy group Everytown for Gun Safety. The speech came hours after the […] The post Biden touts gun safety record to advocates, as son found guilty on felony charges appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
Four Cornell College instructors in treatment after ‘serious incident’ in China
A suspect has been apprehended in an incident where four Cornell College instructors, one of whom is the brother of Iowa Rep. Adam Zabner, were injured Monday during a visit to a public park in Jilin City, China. The instructors from the Mount Vernon college were teaching at Beihua University as part of a partnership […] The post Four Cornell College instructors in treatment after ‘serious incident’ in China appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
U.S. Senate Republicans outline their farm bill framework
WASHINGTON — Republicans on the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry on Tuesday released their framework for a new five-year farm bill that will set the policy and funding levels for key food, agriculture and conservation programs. The top Republican on the committee, Arkansas Sen. John Boozman, laid out GOP priorities with reporters during […] The post U.S. Senate Republicans outline their farm bill framework appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
Former Iowa police chief could face prison for gun sales: ‘I’m chief of police, b- – – -.’
Text messages and emails from a fired Iowa police chief, recently convicted of illegally dealing in automatic weapons, indicate he knowingly used his position in law enforcement to acquire machine guns for himself and his for-profit business. “This chief (of) police gig is awesome,” Bradley Wendt wrote to an associate in 2019, according to court […] The post Former Iowa police chief could face prison for gun sales: ‘I’m chief of police, b- – – -.’ appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
Bipartisan U.S. House caucus planning for post-war Middle East
WASHINGTON — A bipartisan group of U.S. House lawmakers has launched an effort to spur planning for what the Gaza Strip will look like the “day after” the Israel-Hamas war, even as agreement over a U.S.-backed ceasefire proposal remains elusive. Democratic Reps. Brad Schneider of Illinois and David Trone of Maryland, along with Republicans Ann […] The post Bipartisan U.S. House caucus planning for post-war Middle East appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
Teachers, parents, the public still want answers about the Perry school shooting
It has been just over five months since a 17-year-old Perry High School student walked out of a school bathroom and began shooting toward students who were having breakfast before heading to their classes on the morning of Jan. 4, 2024. The first details about the tragedy had barely started trickling out when the first […] The post Teachers, parents, the public still want answers about the Perry school shooting appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
Trump floats plan to end taxes on tips, though experts raise doubts
WASHINGTON — Economists across the ideological spectrum raised doubts about the cost and workability of former President Donald Trump’s proposal over the weekend to exempt tips from federal taxes if he wins in November. During a campaign rally Sunday in Las Vegas, where hundreds of thousands work in the hospitality industry, Trump promised service workers that they […] The post Trump floats plan to end taxes on tips, though experts raise doubts appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
Cattle farmer who faces prison time is fined by DNR
A financially troubled cattle farmer in northeast Iowa who is awaiting sentencing in federal court was recently fined by state regulators for endangering a creek and groundwater. Michael Butikofer, 54, operates an open feedlot south of Farmersburg in Clayton County with a capacity of more than 1,700 cattle, according to an Iowa Department of Natural […] The post Cattle farmer who faces prison time is fined by DNR appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
Trump says he’ll work ‘side by side’ with group that wants abortion ‘eradicated’
WASHINGTON — Former President Donald Trump said Monday that if reelected, he plans to work “side by side” with a newly formed religious organization that says abortion is the “greatest atrocity facing” the United States and should be “eradicated entirely.” During two-minute recorded remarks played at The Danbury Institute’s inaugural Life & Liberty Forum in […] The post Trump says he’ll work ‘side by side’ with group that wants abortion ‘eradicated’ appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
UI worker facing sex charges is fired for sale of tickets during ‘historic’ title run
A former University of Iowa employee who is facing criminal charges of enticing a minor to have sex was fired earlier this year after his complimentary tickets for women’s basketball games were sold online through a ticket broker. State records indicate Mark Sevcik, 66, worked for UI as an information technology consultant for more than […] The post UI worker facing sex charges is fired for sale of tickets during ‘historic’ title run appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
Des Moines University partners with Illinois’ Benedictine University
Des Moines University has partnered with the Illinois-based Benedictine University to offer more access to students seeking medical careers. The medical university announced Monday that it would offer guaranteed interviews, reserved seats in certain programs and concurrent degrees to Benedictine University graduates, effective immediately. Benedictine University is a private, Catholic college with locations in Lisle, […] The post Des Moines University partners with Illinois’ Benedictine University appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
Judge plans to rule on Iowa immigration law before it takes effect July 1
A federal district court judge said Monday he will “do his best” to make a decision on whether to block an Iowa immigration law before it is set to go into effect July 1. U.S. District Judge Stephen Locher heard from lawyers with the U.S. Department of Justice, American Immigration Council and Patrick Valencia, the […] The post Judge plans to rule on Iowa immigration law before it takes effect July 1 appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
Court rules on public access to job applications
The Iowa Supreme Court has ruled that the City of Cedar Rapids must disclose job applications received from current employees. In 2021, the City of Cedar Rapids hired a new city clerk by promoting longtime city employee Alissa Van Sloten to the position. It also fielded applications for the vacant city attorney’s position from Elizabeth […] The post Court rules on public access to job applications appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
Heartland legislatures prove skeptical of industrial ag’s efforts to dodge accountability
After the final gavels fell in the 2024 Legislatures in Boise, Des Moines, and Jefferson City, Big Ag’s corporate lobbyists may be stinging from some hard lessons. They learned that voters across the spectrum still value accountability. What do Idaho, Iowa, and Missouri have in common? They are all farm country, where agricultural interests carry […] The post Heartland legislatures prove skeptical of industrial ag’s efforts to dodge accountability appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
Election workers worry that federal threats task force isn’t enough to keep them safe
Aiming to send a message, the Biden administration recently spotlighted its indictments and convictions in cases involving threats to election officials or workers. But with no letup in reports of attacks, some elections professionals say federal law enforcement still isn’t doing enough to deter bad actors and ensure that those on the front lines of […] The post Election workers worry that federal threats task force isn’t enough to keep them safe appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
On the U.S.-Mexico border, hopes and fears after Biden’s order limiting asylum
EL PASO, Texas — Seventeen-year-old Karina Parababire gently rocked her three-month-old daughter as they waited in a migrant shelter before a Friday night bus ride to Chicago. “I want my daughter to have everything that I didn’t have,” Parababire, who traveled up the extremely dangerous route of the Darien Gap while pregnant, said in Spanish. The Venezuelan, […] The post On the U.S.-Mexico border, hopes and fears after Biden’s order limiting asylum appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
Prodded by fed up parents, some in Congress try to curb kids’ use of social media
WASHINGTON — Attempts to get kids off of their phones are ramping up in Congress, despite intense lobbying by social media giants and pushback by those worried about violations of First Amendment speech rights. Lawmakers are seeking to set a minimum age to access social media and put more of the onus on social media […] The post Prodded by fed up parents, some in Congress try to curb kids’ use of social media appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
Drake University expands DEIJ programs as public universities shrink theirs
As colleges and universities across Iowa are being encouraged, or even required, to restructure or eliminate diversity, equity, inclusion and justice programs, Drake University is expanding and promoting its efforts. Drake officials say the university is continuing its decade-long work of expanding DEI efforts on campus with a new initiative to foster a greater sense […] The post Drake University expands DEIJ programs as public universities shrink theirs appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
Iowa Supreme Court upholds former teacher’s sexual exploitation conviction
The Iowa Supreme Court upheld a former high school teacher’s conviction for sexual exploitation by a school employee in a 4-3 split decision released Friday. Kari Jean Schwartz was an art teacher in 2009 at Independence High School, where she had repeated inappropriate interactions with a female student referred to as A.S. in court documents. […] The post Iowa Supreme Court upholds former teacher’s sexual exploitation conviction 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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