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Iowa Capital Dispatch
U.S. Senate GOP tries to block states from spending some of their COVID relief cash
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Senate on Wednesday rejected efforts to roll back guidance from the Treasury Department regarding how state and local governments can spend funding approved by Congress during the COVID-19 pandemic. The 46-49 vote on the Congressional Review Act resolution ended an attempt by several GOP senators to block the Biden administration from […] The post U.S. Senate GOP tries to block states from spending some of their COVID relief cash appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
Brenna Bird disrespects America’s legal system
First, the good news: Most Americans trust juries. Now, the bad news: Iowa’s attorney general apparently isn’t one of them. Brenna Bird joined a bunch of other Republican politicians at the New York trial of Donald Trump this week and immediately pronounced it a farce. “Politics has no place in a court of law,” she […] The post Brenna Bird disrespects America’s legal system appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
Bill that awaits governor’s signature has ‘enormous loophole’ for open meetings
A bill adopted by the Iowa Legislature this year that is meant to more harshly penalize open meetings violations might also enable city councils, school boards and others to deliberate in secret, according to the Iowa Public Information Board. House File 2539 would increase the penalties for violating a state law that generally requires governmental […] The post Bill that awaits governor’s signature has ‘enormous loophole’ for open meetings appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
Reynolds signs history curriculum, behavioral health system measures into law
Gov. Kim Reynolds signed multiple bills into law Wednesday — including a measure requiring social studies and civics classes at Iowa schools have a greater focus on U.S. and Western history. The governor signed House File 2545 into law at the Beit Shalom Jewish Community in Davenport Wednesday. The measure directs the Iowa Board of Education […] The post Reynolds signs history curriculum, behavioral health system measures into law appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
Five-year FAA bill clears U.S. House, boosting flights into Washington, D.C.
The U.S. House voted 387-26 Wednesday to clear a bill to reauthorize $105 billion for the Federal Aviation Administration for the next five years — and to finalize a hotly debated deal adding flights at busy Washington Reagan National Airport. Advocates for the bill, which won votes from every ideological corner of the often-divided House, […] The post Five-year FAA bill clears U.S. House, boosting flights into Washington, D.C. appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
Iowa school employee fired for being drunk on the job
A Waterloo school district employee who was fired for allegedly being drunk at work is not entitled to unemployment benefits, a judge has ruled. According to state records, Justin Aten worked as a full-time systems specialist for the Waterloo Community School District from December 2019 to January 11, 2024, when he was fired. As a […] The post Iowa school employee fired for being drunk on the job appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
CNN sets first Biden-Trump presidential debate for June 27 in Atlanta
WASHINGTON — CNN announced on Wednesday morning that it will host a debate between President Joe Biden and presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump at the network’s Atlanta studios on June 27. CNN said there would be no audience present for the debate and moderators will be announced later. A second debate will be hosted […] The post CNN sets first Biden-Trump presidential debate for June 27 in Atlanta appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
Fort Dodge foundation director fired for lying to board of directors
The executive director of a Fort Dodge charity was fired earlier this year for allowing the organization’s gambling and liquor licenses to lapse and then lying about it to the board of directors. According to state records, Timothy Morris worked fulltime as the executive director of the Fort Dodge Historical Foundation from November 2022 to […] The post Fort Dodge foundation director fired for lying to board of directors appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
Iowa attorney general joins lawsuits challenging trucking emission rules
Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird is joining lawsuits that challenge new trucking standards that she says unfairly push the industry toward the adoption of electric vehicles. Speaking at a news conference Tuesday at the Housby Company in Ankeny, Bird announced Iowa has joined a lawsuit, filed by Nebraska and 14 other states, as well as […] The post Iowa attorney general joins lawsuits challenging trucking emission rules appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
GOP politicians rush to Manhattan to line up behind Trump as hush money trial continues
WASHINGTON — Republican lawmakers are taking turns supporting former president and presumed 2024 GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump in his trial in Manhattan criminal court, where he is charged with covering up payments intended to silence porn star Stormy Daniels ahead of the 2016 election. Dressed alike in navy blue suits and red ties, North […] The post GOP politicians rush to Manhattan to line up behind Trump as hush money trial continues appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
Drake University announces $28 million gift from alum, board of trustees member
Areas across Drake University, from its capital projects to scholarship funds to colleges, will feel the impact of a multi-million dollar gift from a businessman and alum. Greg Johansen and his wife, Cie Johansen, have committed $28 million to the Drake University Ones Campaign, to be invested in programs and projects spanning the campus. Once […] The post Drake University announces $28 million gift from alum, board of trustees member appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
President Biden issues major disaster declaration for Iowa areas hit by April tornados
President Joe Biden on Tuesday issued a major disaster declaration for areas of Iowa that were hit by tornados and severe weather in late April, approving a request from Gov. Kim Reynolds. Reynolds requested an expedited disaster declaration from Biden on May 2, after issuing a state disaster proclamation in late April for storms on […] The post President Biden issues major disaster declaration for Iowa areas hit by April tornados appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
Feds incentivize better biosecurity at dairy farms for bird flu
The U.S. Department of Agriculture recently announced it will pay dairy farms with confirmed avian influenza infections to help contain the virus’ spread to people and more cows. Federal funding is now available to cover the costs of enhanced biosecurity measures, protective equipment for workers, heat treatments for tainted milk, and veterinary and testing fees. […] The post Feds incentivize better biosecurity at dairy farms for bird flu appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
New list rates the most bipartisan members of Congress — and the least
WASHINGTON — Maine Republican Sen. Susan Collins and Pennsylvania Republican Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick were the most bipartisan members of Congress last year, according to a newly released analysis from the Lugar Center and the McCourt School of Public Policy at Georgetown University. The least bipartisan House lawmaker was Ohio Republican Jim Jordan, while Alabama’s Katie […] The post New list rates the most bipartisan members of Congress — and the least appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
Tariffs to be sharply hiked by Biden administration on Chinese-made products
WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden on Tuesday announced that he would be doubling and in some cases tripling tariffs on Chinese-made products, like steel and electric vehicles, in a move aimed at easing economic pain in battleground states, though senior administration officials say it isn’t political. Biden, speaking during a ceremony in the Rose Garden […] The post Tariffs to be sharply hiked by Biden administration on Chinese-made products 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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