Category: news
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Iowa PBS To Showcase IHSAA Championships Starting in 2025–26
BOONE, Iowa – For the first time ever, three Iowa High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) championships in football, wrestling, and basketball are coming to Iowa PBS. The state’s public broadcasting network will produce and broadcast finals from the three most-watched boys’ high school sports starting in fall 2025-26. Through a multi-year initial agreement, each of…
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Iowans Report Over $13.5M in Fraud Losses in 2024, FTC Data Shows
By Edward Lynn Editor DES MOINES, Iowa — Iowans lost more than $13.5 million to fraud in the last quarter of 2024, according to new data released by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). With 3,670 fraud reports filed in the state in the 4th quarter of 2024, the median loss per victim was $400. Imposter…
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Funnel Week 2025: What Bills Are Alive, Dead at Iowa Statehouse After First Deadline
by Robin Opsahl, The bills that survived the first major deadline of Iowa’s 2025 legislative session show that Republicans have moved forward with a number of their priorities through bills focused on issues ranging from higher education to carbon capture pipelines to child care access. The Legislature’s self-imposed “funnel” deadline culls most legislation from further…
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GOP Tax Committee Chairs Introduce Property Tax Legislation
By: Robin Opsahl The Republican leaders of the Iowa Legislature’s tax committees released their property tax proposal Thursday. Rep. Bobby Kaufman, R-Wilton and Sen. Dan Dawson, R-Council Bluffs, chairs of the House and Senate Ways and Means committees, respectively, introduced legislation that they said in a news release would be “the biggest property tax system overhaul…
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Bills on Elections, Immigration and Guns Squeak Past Legislature’s ‘Funnel’ Deadline
By Robin Opsahl Iowa lawmakers approved bills on elections, firearms and immigration law enforcement Thursday just ahead of the Legislature’s first “funnel” deadline of the 2025 session. Most bills needed approval by a committee in one chamber this week to remain eligible for consideration. There are exceptions to this deadline, such as bills that involve…
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South Dakota Governor Signs Eminent Domain Ban on Carbon Pipelines
By: Joshua Haiar South Dakota Republican Gov. Larry Rhoden announced Thursday that he signed a bill banning the use of eminent domain for carbon dioxide pipelines, delivering a victory to property-rights activists who spent several years advocating for the bill. Eminent domain is the right to access private property for projects that benefit the public, with…
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Iowa House advances bill to block CO2 pipelines from eminent domain rights
By Cami Koons The Iowa House Judiciary Committee advanced bills Thursday to block hazardous liquid pipelines carrying carbon dioxide from the use of eminent domain. Two bills also advanced granting rights to intervene in Iowa Utilities Commission proceedings, which GOP lawmakers have done against the case of the Summit Carbon Solutions pipeline project. House Study Bill…
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Iowa lawmakers move to prioritize corn, pork and dairy in school lunches
By Cami Koons Iowa senators advanced a bill Tuesday to implement nutrition guidelines and education in Iowa schools that prioritize the state’s “unique” food sources like corn, pork and dairy. The bill would also update school health class curriculum to include a section on nutrition and include instruction on food production and the benefits of…
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Iowa House panel votes to lower firearm age limit 18
By Robin Opsahl Iowa’s age limit on owning firearms would be lowered from 21 to 18 under a bill advanced by a House Judiciary subcommittee Tuesday. Current Iowa law requires Iowans to be at least 21 years old to obtain permits for carrying weapons and to acquire pistols and revolvers. House Study Bill 262 would…
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D.C. Dispatch: Some Iowa Groups Protest Lawmakers’ Vote on Budget Resolution
By Robin Opsahl, Iowa’s House delegation voted in favor of the House GOP budget resolution, despite criticisms from members of some Iowa groups who said the proposal will cut Medicaid and food assistance benefits for Iowans. The concurrent resolution passed 217-215 Tuesday. The measure does not directly spend money, but is a blueprint to lawmakers…