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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.
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.
Trump picks Ohio U.S. Sen. J.D. Vance as his running mate
MILWAUKEE, Wis. — Donald Trump announced Ohio U.S. Sen. J.D. Vance as his running mate Monday during the first day of the Republican National Convention, capping off months of speculation about who would get the nod as his vice presidential pick. Vance has not been a member of Congress long, having less than two years […] The post Trump picks Ohio U.S. Sen. J.D. Vance as his running mate appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
Judge finds that Board of Medicine withheld information from accused doctor
State licensing officials failed to provide all of the necessary information to an Iowa physician accused of incompetence, a judge has ruled. In 2022, an Iowa-licensed surgeon, Dr. Giovanni Ciuffo, formerly of Sioux City, was accused of unnecessary surgeries and lying to patients. Last year, the Iowa Board of Medicine charged Ciuffo with professional incompetence, […] The post Judge finds that Board of Medicine withheld information from accused doctor appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
Dentist loses license after 30 complaints, prior sanctions for sexual impropriety
An Iowa dentist who has been the subject of 30 past complaints has lost his license over allegations of repeated sexual impropriety with patients. The dentist, Phelan Thomas, 66, of West Des Moines, alleged he was the victim of “Karens” — a derogatory term often used to describe entitled females — and racism. On Jan. […] The post Dentist loses license after 30 complaints, prior sanctions for sexual impropriety appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
GOP convention to go on as planned in Milwaukee, with Trump in attendance
WASHINGTON — Thousands of Republicans will gather in Milwaukee beginning Monday for the party’s presidential nominating convention — a typically joyous occasion that will likely take on a different tone this year after a gunman shot at Donald Trump, injuring him, on Saturday. Trump, who will be formally nominated as the GOP’s presidential nominee on […] The post GOP convention to go on as planned in Milwaukee, with Trump in attendance appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
Victims and shooter identified in assassination attempt on Trump at Butler rally
The FBI said early Sunday it had identified the man who shot former President Donald Trump at a campaign rally in Butler on Saturday as Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, of Bethel Park. Crooks was killed at the scene. Trump was pronounced safe shortly after the incident. Corey Comperatore, 50, of Sarver, who was at the […] The post Victims and shooter identified in assassination attempt on Trump at Butler rally appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
Iowa politicians call for prayers for Trump’s safety
Iowa’s congressional and state politicians called on people to pray for the safety of former President Donald Trump on Saturday following an apparent assassination attempt. Shots rang out while Trump was speaking at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, after which Trump was seen with blood on his face, near his ear. Campaign officials have said […] The post Iowa politicians call for prayers for Trump’s safety appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
Trump ‘safe’ after shooting at campaign rally in Butler; one spectator and suspected gunman killed
BUTLER — Former President Donald Trump was recovering Saturday after a shooting at a campaign rally in Butler that left a rally-goer and the gunman dead, authorities said. Two people were critically injured in the incident, according to the U.S. Secret Service. Shortly after Trump took the stage at about 6 p.m., several loud pops […] The post Trump ‘safe’ after shooting at campaign rally in Butler; one spectator and suspected gunman killed appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
Psst! Iowa’s conservative economic development doctrine is not working
We should talk. Please go to a quiet corner of the room, away from prying eyes and ears, and then read this column. If you tell anyone what I wrote here, I will deny it and claim an imposter posted under my name. Here is what you need to know: It is not working. The […] The post Psst! Iowa’s conservative economic development doctrine is not working appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
Pipeline opponents are poised for Summit permit challenges
Several groups that oppose a recently approved carbon dioxide pipeline network in Iowa plan to launch challenges to that approval in the coming days that will likely be decided — months or more than a year from now — in court. Summit Carbon Solutions wants to build a sprawling pipeline system in five states that […] The post Pipeline opponents are poised for Summit permit challenges 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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