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Iowa Capital Dispatch
Iowa attorney general resumes funding of Plan B for rape victims, but not abortions
Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird announced Friday that her office will reinstate payments for emergency contraceptives, like Plan B, for victims of sexual assault and rape, but will no longer reimburse victims for abortions. The announcement marks the end of the “full audit of victims services” announced by Bird shortly after winning the 2022 election […] The post Iowa attorney general resumes funding of Plan B for rape victims, but not abortions appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
An angry Trump pledges to appeal ‘this scam’ conviction as Republicans vow resistance
WASHINGTON — Former President Donald Trump, now a convicted felon, vowed to launch an appeal based “on many things” he considered unfair during his New York trial, he said Friday in the lobby of Trump Tower in Midtown Manhattan. Meanwhile Friday, legal and political analysts predicted he will spend little if any time in jail […] The post An angry Trump pledges to appeal ‘this scam’ conviction as Republicans vow resistance appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
Drake University, CBS News partner on character education programming
Drake University and CBS News will work together to provide educational lessons on having good character to teachers free-of-charge through a new partnership. The collaboration will bring together CBS News’ “Kindness 101” series and the Character Counts program, housed within the Robert D. and Billy Ray Center at Drake, according to a news release. Both […] The post Drake University, CBS News partner on character education programming appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
Biden urges Hamas to accept new Israeli ceasefire plan intended to end war
WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden on Friday announced a ceasefire proposal offered by Israel, saying the three-phase plan presented to Hamas represents the best chance to end the war. Biden, speaking from the White House, urged people around the world who have been calling for an end to the war in the Middle East to […] The post Biden urges Hamas to accept new Israeli ceasefire plan intended to end war appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
Congressional primary candidates pit party values against general election chances
As the June 4 primary approaches, Iowa voters in three of the state’s four congressional districts will decide races to choose party nominees. Iowa Republicans won big in the 2022 midterms: The entirety of Iowa’s federal congressional delegation is currently Republican. While there are Democratic candidates planning to challenge GOP incumbents in all four districts, […] The post Congressional primary candidates pit party values against general election chances appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
Some providers will offer low-cost internet even as federal program ends, White House says
WASHINGTON — With Friday marking the official last day of the pandemic-era Affordable Connectivity Program, the Biden administration is spotlighting commitments from over a dozen internet service providers to offer plans at $30 or less to low-income households through 2024. This comes as Federal Communications Commission Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel said the short-term program had to end due […] The post Some providers will offer low-cost internet even as federal program ends, White House says appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
Iowa GOP reaction to Trump verdict misses the key point
Iowa’s top Republicans were unanimous in reacting to the guilty verdict against Donald Trump on Thursday. Not a one declared he was innocent. Did you notice? Sure, they all complained the trial was a sham. They criticized the judge and the prosecutor. They said the case was politically motivated. But none of them declared in their statements that Trump was innocent. Trump claimed he did nothing wrong. […] The post Iowa GOP reaction to Trump verdict misses the key point appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
Three Iowa groups awarded $50,000 grants to fight youth drug abuse
Two school districts and a drug prevention group each received a five-year, $50,000 drug prevention and treatment grant that they plan to use to tackle youth drug abuse. The Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA) grant went to the Clinton Substance Abuse Council, Mount Vernon Community School District and Vinton Shellsburg Community School District. For […] The post Three Iowa groups awarded $50,000 grants to fight youth drug abuse appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
U.S. Supreme Court chief declines to discuss Alito flag uproar, ethics with Senate Dems
U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. told leading Democrats on the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee Thursday he will not meet with them to discuss the court’s code of ethics, following revelations of displays of politically oriented flags at the homes of Justice Samuel Alito. Individual justices will continue to decide their own […] The post U.S. Supreme Court chief declines to discuss Alito flag uproar, ethics with Senate Dems appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
Republican 4th Congressional candidates diverge on ethanol assistance
CHEROKEE — A political newcomer who is challenging 4th District Congressman Randy Feenstra in next week’s Republican primary election said Thursday the federal government should phase out requirements for refiners to incorporate ethanol into the nation’s fuel supply. In a candidate forum hosted by the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association — which advocates for the ethanol […] The post Republican 4th Congressional candidates diverge on ethanol assistance appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
North Dakota Supreme Court sides with Summit in landowner dispute
The North Dakota Supreme Court has ruled in favor of pipeline company Summit Carbon Solutions in a dispute with landowners over the right to access properties to survey the land. The ruling released Thursday affirms a lower court ruling that the pipeline company did not need permission from landowners before accessing property to determine a […] The post North Dakota Supreme Court sides with Summit in landowner dispute appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
Drake University football team gains new experiences in future ‘global hub’ Panama
Perspective — this is what Drake University football player Finn Claypool is taking away from his time in the Republic of Panama. Claypool said he never would have had the opportunity to travel to the country because of his commitment to the football team, but a “travel seminar” set up by the university is allowing […] The post Drake University football team gains new experiences in future ‘global hub’ Panama appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
Trump found guilty on 34 felony counts in NY hush money trial
WASHINGTON — Jurors in New York state court on Thursday found Donald Trump guilty on all 34 felony counts of falsifying business records to cover up hush money payments to a porn star ultimately to influence the outcome of the 2016 presidential election. The first-ever criminal trial of a former U.S. president wrapped up in […] The post Trump found guilty on 34 felony counts in NY hush money trial appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
Landline 911 services experiencing issues across Iowa, water pipe break to blame
A water pipe break at Lumen Technologies was causing disruptions Thursday in landline 911 service, internet and phone services. The pipe break occurred early Thursday morning in the company’s building in Des Moines. “Our techs are working hard to fix a service disruption, caused by a water pipe break, which is affecting landline 911, phone, […] The post Landline 911 services experiencing issues across Iowa, water pipe break to blame appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
Iowa has no drought for first time in four years
Heavy rainfall last week eliminated the remaining pocket of drought in Iowa, according to the latest U.S. Drought Monitor report. It’s the first time in nearly four years that none of the state is experiencing drought and marks a significant turnaround from September, when Iowa was drier than it had been in a decade. About […] The post Iowa has no drought for first time in four years appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
Free direct filing of federal taxes may be offered soon throughout the U.S.
WASHINGTON — Taxpayers across the United States could be guaranteed a free public option to file federal tax returns online as the Internal Revenue Service announced plans Thursday to make its Direct File program permanent. The pilot program offered in 12 states from March to April drew roughly 140,000 accepted returns this filing season and saved participants […] The post Free direct filing of federal taxes may be offered soon throughout the U.S. appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
Ernst seeking third term in U.S. Senate, but open to role in a Trump cabinet
CARROLL — Two-term U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst, a Red Oak Republican and the first female combat veteran to serve in the Senate, says she will seek a third term in 2026. In an interview in Carroll with Iowa Mercury and the Carroll Times Herald following an economic-development event on Wednesday, Ernst, 53, left the door open […] The post Ernst seeking third term in U.S. Senate, but open to role in a Trump cabinet appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
Pill press molds used to produce illicit fentanyl targeted in legislation in Congress
WASHINGTON – Bipartisan legislation pushed in both chambers of Congress aims to stop illegal fentanyl production and trafficking by focusing on the machinery used to manufacture pills. The Criminalizing Abused Substance Templates, or CAST, Act would redefine the criminal penalty for producing counterfeit drugs using a pill press. Counterfeiting drugs is already illegal as outlined in […] The post Pill press molds used to produce illicit fentanyl targeted in legislation in Congress appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
Community college group recommends review of DEI positions, activities
The state association of community colleges has released information and recommendations on diversity, equity and inclusion practices and roles, prompted by legislators and supported by community college leaders. The recommendations touch on DEI-related roles and councils, activities, campus climate and culture and hiring and promotion practices, according to Community Colleges for Iowa’s “Response Regarding DEI.” […] The post Community college group recommends review of DEI positions, activities appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
Groups argue in federal court for local control of pipeline routes
A federal judge has wrongly limited the authority of county and state officials to restrict the placement of carbon dioxide pipelines for public safety, according to several groups that are challenging the judge’s recent decisions. Those challenges stem from December rulings in which Chief Judge Stephanie Rose, of the federal Southern District of Iowa, blocked […] The post Groups argue in federal court for local control of pipeline routes 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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