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Iowa Capital Dispatch
DNR: Kraft Heinz didn’t monitor wastewater pollution for years in Muscatine
A large eastern Iowa facility that makes ketchup and other condiments failed for more than two years to monitor contaminants in the more than 1 million gallons of untreated wastewater it discharged into a creek each day, according to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. Kraft Heinz Foods Company recently agreed to pay an $8,000 […]
Gays Eating Garlic Bread event to raise money for flood recovery
The first-ever Gays Eating Garlic Bread festival in downtown Sioux City will take place in August to raise money for flood recovery. What started as a small, fun event for a few friends to hang out and eat garlic bread was changed significantly after the original site was flooded, organizers said. Linus Countryman, founder of […]
Community college settles the second of two human trafficking lawsuits
Western Iowa Tech Community College has agreed to settle the second of two federal lawsuits alleging the school conspired with others to engage in human trafficking. As reported by Radio Iowa earlier this week, WITCC of Sioux City has agreed to pay $2.3 million to settle a lawsuit initiated by 10 students from Brazil. In […]
D.C. Dispatch: Netanyahu visit focuses Iowans’ attention on antisemitism
With Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu visiting the Capitol for an address to Congress, Iowa lawmakers focused this week on issues related to Israel and antisemitism on college campuses. Also this week, a bill sponsored by Iowa lawmakers is headed to the president’s desk. It would require government officials to provide a review of congressional projects […]
Nurse awaiting trial on drug conspiracy charges agrees to stop practicing
A Des Moines nurse charged last year with conspiracy to deliver controlled substances has agreed to stop practicing. Jennifer Spieker, 42, of Des Moines has signed an agreement with the Iowa Board of Nursing in which she has agreed to stop practicing nursing and have her license placed on “suspended” status. The board says Spieker […]
DNR: Ethanol plant pollution likely harmed public health for years near Shell Rock
An ethanol-producing facility in northeast Iowa expelled excessive pollutants into the air for several years that can cause cancers and other health effects, according to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. “Actual harm to the environment and public health likely occurred,” the department said in a recent administrative order regarding POET Bioprocessing near Shell Rock. […]
Restaurant inspection update: Mold, green slime and ‘raw turkey tails’
Iowa restaurants and stores have been cited for hundreds of food-safety violations in recent weeks, including a Clayton County eatery cited for long-expired juice and milk, moldy cheese and an ice dispenser with green slime growing in it. “Employees on site could not answer basic questions regarding food establishment operations,” a state inspector reported during […]
Federal judge blocks updated Title IX rule in Arkansas lawsuit
A Missouri federal judge on Wednesday halted implementation of a Biden administration rule that extends protections for LGBTQ students, adding to the number of U.S. courts that have issued similar orders. The ruling by U.S. District Judge Rodney W. Sippel of the Eastern District of Missouri came in a lawsuit filed on May 7 by […]
Colorado judge temporarily blocks Kroger-Albertsons grocery ‘megamerger’
A Colorado judge has issued an order temporarily blocking the proposed $24.6 billion merger between the nation’s two largest supermarket chains ahead of an antitrust trial in state court set to begin in September. Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser in February sued to block the merger between grocery giant Kroger, which operates King Soopers and […]
Grassley releases bodycam videos of Trump assassination attempt
Editor’s note: This story links to video containing images that may be upsetting to some viewers. U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley released additional videos and documents Thursday related to the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump. Grassley said in a news release that the bodycam videos were obtained from the Beaver County Emergency Services Unit […]
University of Iowa Athletics expects to break revenue records in upcoming year
The University of Iowa is expecting another record-breaking year for its athletics department while Iowa State University Athletics is working to handle changes to expected revenues as a result of collegiate athletic conferences shifting, university budget documents show. With revenues slated to increase in football, women’s basketball, wrestling and volleyball, among other areas, the UI […]
Northeast Iowa creek has second mystery fish kill
For the second time in a little more than a year, something has killed thousands of fish in a northeast Iowa creek without leaving obvious clues to identify it, according to state conservation officers. Early estimates indicate about 40,000 fish died last week in Crane Creek, where their carcasses were found in a 20-mile stretch […]
Fired Council Bluffs police officer’s lawsuit accuses city of retaliation, discrimination
A former Council Bluffs police officer is suing the city in federal court, alleging gender discrimination and retaliation. Miranda Adams, 36, who began working for the Council Bluffs Police Department in 2012, alleges she was fired in 2023 after she filed a complaint of discrimination and harassment with the Iowa Civil Rights Commission and the […]
Store and two Iowa pharmacists cited for dispensing wrong drugs
An Iowa pharmacy and two pharmacists have agreed to pay civil penalties for allegedly dispensing the incorrect medications to patients. The three cases, all unrelated to each other, are detailed in the latest settlement agreements involving the Iowa Board of Pharmacy. One of the cases involves Food Land Pharmacy in Woodbine. The board alleges that […]
Auditor says amended contract for ESA program administration doubled cost
Iowa Auditor of State Rob Sand released a report Tuesday that says the state will pay more to the company managing the Education Savings Account (ESA) program than originally planned. Odyssey, a New York-based company, was chosen in February 2023 to oversee the disbursement of funds for the ESA program a month after the measure […]
Caregiver accused of sexual impropriety is denied jobless benefits
A residential caregiver fired for allegedly making sexual comments and touching a resident’s genitals is not entitled to jobless benefits, an Iowa judge has ruled. According to state records, Mandi Mahedy worked for six weeks as a full-time treatment specialist at Community & Family Resources in Des Moines, from March of this year through May […]
Des Moines considers controversial fine on sleeping in public aimed at homeless people
The Des Moines City Council is considering an ordinance to fine people for sleeping outside, which some advocates say would “criminalize homelessness.” Under the wording of the proposed ordinance, homeless people, sunbathers, babies in strollers or anyone else caught sleeping on public property could be fined $50, critics say. Pete McRoberts, American Civil Liberties Union […]
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear to headline Iowa Dems’ event amid VP speculation
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, a Democrat brought up as a potential running mate for Vice President Kamala Harris, will be speaking Saturday at the Iowa Democratic Party’s Liberty and Justice Celebration. Beshear was announced as the headline speaker for the annual IDP event in June, weeks before major changes came to the Democrats’ 2024 presidential […]
Fired UIHC resident faces sentencing for violating patient privacy laws
A fired University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics resident is now facing sentencing for violating federal patient privacy laws at two Iowa hospitals. Dr. Gabriel Alejandro Hernandez Roman, 34, formerly of Iowa City, was indicted in April on a charge of wrongfully obtaining individually identifiable health information under false pretenses for personal gain or malicious […]
Iowa six-week abortion ban to take effect Monday, judge orders
The Iowa law banning most abortions as early as six weeks of pregnancy will take effect Monday, July 29, an Iowa district judge ruled Tuesday. District Judge Jeffrey Farrell said in an order that the injunction currently blocking the law from enforcement will be lifted at 8 a.m. Monday. The order comes a day after […]
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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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