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Iowa Capital Dispatch
Former conservation director, facing criminal charges, sues for malicious prosecution
The former director of conservation for Ringgold County is suing the county for alleged discrimination and retaliation. The post Former conservation director, facing criminal charges, sues for malicious prosecution appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
New rules require testing for bird flu of dairy cattle in fairs, exhibitions
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig announced new avian flu testing requirements Tuesday for dairy cattle in Iowa fairs and exhibitions. Dairy exhibitors will be required to test for avian flu in dairy cattle within seven days of moving to an exhibition, starting in July. “Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza isn’t just a poultry issue or […] The post New rules require testing for bird flu of dairy cattle in fairs, exhibitions appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
Biden approves federal aid for Iowa counties impacted by flooding as severe weather continues
President Joe Biden has approved a Major Disaster Declaration for flooding in Iowa, allowing federal funding for residents and businesses in areas impacted by recent severe weather. The expedited declaration follows a request from Gov. Kim Reynolds in response to severe flooding from beginning June 16 in northwest Iowa. Heavy rainfall has caused flooding along […] The post Biden approves federal aid for Iowa counties impacted by flooding as severe weather continues appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
Petitions filed to refer carbon pipeline law to ballot; Summit plans to reapply for SD permit
South Dakota voters might decide on Nov. 5 whether to reject a new state law regulating carbon dioxide pipelines. The ballot measure committee known as the South Dakota Property Rights and Local Control Alliance submitted an estimated 28,000 petition signatures to the Secretary of State’s Office on Monday, said Jim Eschenbaum, chairman of the organization. […] The post Petitions filed to refer carbon pipeline law to ballot; Summit plans to reapply for SD permit appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
Sioux City pharmacy faces charges from state licensing board
The Iowa Board of Pharmacy alleges it is no longer in the public interest to let a western Iowa Walgreens store distribute controlled substances. The board has charged a Walgreens store in Sioux City with committing acts that render its registration under the Controlled Substances Act “inconsistent with the public interest.” The board has not […] The post Sioux City pharmacy faces charges from state licensing board appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
Century-old schools sold, property tax back on the ballot in Cedar Rapids
The Cedar Rapids School Board has approved the sale of two 100-year-old schools and sent a ballot measure to local voters to renew a property tax for building projects. The sale of the two schools would net the district nearly $300,000 while if the property tax is renewed, around $140 million could go the district’s […] The post Century-old schools sold, property tax back on the ballot in Cedar Rapids appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
Iowa Utilities Board approves permit for controversial Summit pipeline
The Iowa Utilities Board gave its approval Tuesday for the controversial Summit Carbon Solutions pipeline and for the company to use eminent domain to acquire landowners’ property. The company hopes to begin construction next year with the goal of making the pipeline operational in 2026. The pipeline, which would be the largest of its kind […] The post Iowa Utilities Board approves permit for controversial Summit pipeline appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
Four states to begin voluntary testing for bird flu in dairy farm milk tanks
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced Tuesday that four states will launch voluntary pilot programs in the days ahead to test bulk milk tanks on dairy farms for bird flu — a move that’s aimed at making it easier for farmers to ship herds across state lines and for public health officials to […] The post Four states to begin voluntary testing for bird flu in dairy farm milk tanks appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
Federal rulings out of Kansas, Missouri put Biden student-loan forgiveness on hold
Federal judges in Kansas and Missouri have blocked the full implementation of a student-loan forgiveness program proposed by the Biden administration that was set to launch July 1. The SAVE Plan, an acronym for Saving on a Valuable Education, has been partially rolled out. The provisions already in effect may remain, United States District Court […] The post Federal rulings out of Kansas, Missouri put Biden student-loan forgiveness on hold appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
Calm, conservative, confident: What GOP senators want in Trump’s vice presidential pick
WASHINGTON — Republican members of the U.S. Senate striving for a takeover of their chamber in the November elections have a wish list for what they’d like to see in Donald Trump’s running mate. A “little calmer” than Trump. Confident. Conservative. Military experience. Good relationships with senators. Ready to take over as chief executive if […] The post Calm, conservative, confident: What GOP senators want in Trump’s vice presidential pick appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
The Dobbs effect today: Abortion ballot initiatives, expected higher mortality, more litigation
In Arizona, the state’s highest court upheld a Civil War-era abortion ban. Florida and South Carolina moved to restrict abortion to six weeks — before many people know they are pregnant. The Alabama Supreme Court ruled that frozen embryos are “children,” temporarily throwing fertility treatments, such as IVF, into uncertainty and igniting a national debate. […] The post The Dobbs effect today: Abortion ballot initiatives, expected higher mortality, more litigation appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
Iowa Supreme Court decision awaited as advocates reflect on Dobbs anniversary
On the second anniversary of Roe v. Wade being overturned, Iowa Democrats, reproductive health care providers and advocates said Monday they are preparing for an Iowa Supreme Court decision on the state’s six-week abortion ban — and preparing to campaign on those issues for the 2024 general election. Planned Parenthood North Central States hosted a […] The post Iowa Supreme Court decision awaited as advocates reflect on Dobbs anniversary appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
Simpson College president recovering at home after car accident
Simpson College President Jay Byers is recovering at home after a car accident last week. Byers wrote in a Facebook post that he was released from the hospital Thursday with a few injuries to still take care of, but he feels “fortunate overall” as he takes time to rest and recover. “Though it’s been a […] The post Simpson College president recovering at home after car accident appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
Inspectors: Medication errors linked to woman’s acute kidney injury
A Council Bluffs nursing home is facing a potential fine for medication errors that may have resulted in serious injury to the resident. State inspectors allege the staff at Prairie Gate, a 32-resident nursing home in Council Bluffs, recently committed a series of “significant” medication errors in its treatment of a female resident. According to […] The post Inspectors: Medication errors linked to woman’s acute kidney injury appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
Bird flu infects another Sioux County dairy herd
State officials announced over the weekend that another case of avian flu was found in a Sioux County dairy herd, marking June’s 11th case of bird flu in Iowa cattle. The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship’s report on Saturday of pathogenic avian influenza in a dairy herd of 5,000 is the ninth report […] The post Bird flu infects another Sioux County dairy herd appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
Court reinstates license of attorney whose drinking delayed client’s trial
The Iowa Supreme Court has reinstated the license of an attorney who showed up at the courthouse intoxicated, was convicted of vandalizing a vehicle and committed other ethical violations. Court records indicate that in June 2023, Jennifer Jo Weaver of Marshalltown, then known as Jennifer Jo Frese, was representing Cesar Ventura in a Tama County […] The post Court reinstates license of attorney whose drinking delayed client’s trial appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
For both sides, abortion policy two years after Dobbs decision hinges on November
WASHINGTON — Exactly two years after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the constitutional right to an abortion, the battles rage among both advocates and lawmakers over the future of reproductive rights at the state and federal levels. Anti-abortion groups that have achieved considerable success in deep-red parts of the country are working to sway voters […] The post For both sides, abortion policy two years after Dobbs decision hinges on November appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
Governor requests federal aid after severe flooding in northwest Iowa
Gov. Kim Reynolds said Sunday she has submitted a request for an expedited presidential major disaster declaration as northwestern Iowa communities continue to face floods and storm damages. The governor requested aid for 22 counties through the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Public Assistance Program. She also requested aid through FEMA’s Individual Assistance Program and disaster […] The post Governor requests federal aid after severe flooding in northwest Iowa appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
After an abortion for fetal anomalies, she hoped IVF would build her family. Now that’s in doubt.
Anne Angus has been ready to start growing her family for years now. She got pregnant on her first try and felt lucky to escape the morning sickness and extreme fatigue that often comes with the first trimester of pregnancy. She quit her job in anticipation of being a full-time mom. “It was so exciting, […] The post After an abortion for fetal anomalies, she hoped IVF would build her family. Now that’s in doubt. appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
Backlash against DEI spreads to more states
SALT LAKE CITY — Shortly after taking office in 2023, Republican state Rep. Katy Hall heard from constituents complaining about how their adult children were required to write diversity, equity and inclusion statements while applying for medical and dental schools and other graduate programs in Utah. “It doesn’t seem right,” Hall said. “It doesn’t seem […] The post Backlash against DEI spreads to more states 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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