Iowa state government
Editorial Roundup: Iowa

By The Associated Press Jun. 28, 2021 10:00 AM EDT
Quad-City Times. June 9, 2021. Editorial: It’s time to step up Unfortunately, the people of Davenport have become...

FILE - Shown in this Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2017, file photo is State Rep. Ras Smith, D-Waterloo, at the Statehouse in Des Moines, Iowa. Smith, a state representative from eastern Iowa, is the first Iowa politician to announce a run for Iowa governor as Democrats organize in hopes of gaining traction among voters to counter Republican domination of the legislature and governor's office. Smith launched an ad campaign Tuesday June 15, 2021, and set a formal announcement for Tuesday evening. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Waterloo Democrat first to launch campaign for Iowa governor

By David Pitt Jun. 15, 2021 02:30 PM EDT

Editorial Roundup: Iowa

By The Associated Press Jun. 14, 2021 10:00 AM EDT
Des Moines Register. June 11, 2021. Editorial: Stop messing around with congressional bipartisanship and move on infrastructure ...

FILE - Shown in this Feb. 8, 2017, file photo, is Iowa Senate Secretary Charlie Smithson at the Statehouse in Des Moines, Iowa. Smithson threatened retribution against a GOP appointee who oversees workplace safety after inspectors said they would make public their concerns about COVID-19 risks at the Capitol. Notes show Smithson, the secretary of the Senate, criticized Iowa Labor Commissioner Rod Roberts for "not knowing better" and told inspectors at an April 2, 2021, meeting that the issue would be raised at his next conformation hearing. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall, File)
Iowa Senate official warned of payback over COVID-19 inquiry

By Ryan J. Foley Jun. 11, 2021 01:54 PM EDT

FILE - In this March 17, 2021 file photo, Gov. Kim Reynolds speaks during a news conference, in Johnston, a suburb of Des Moines, Iowa. Iowa's Democratic auditor accused the state's Republican governor of violating a 2018 state law that prohibits statewide elected officials from using public funds for self promotion. Auditor Rob Sand argued Thursday, June 3 that Reynolds broke the law by making ads promoting coronavirus public safety measures. (Olivia Sun/The Des Moines Register via AP, File)
Iowa auditor questions governor's spending for COVID-19 ads

By David Pitt Jun. 03, 2021 11:58 AM EDT

Elesha Gayman, Democratic chairwoman in Scott County, Iowa, stands outside her office, Wednesday, May 26, 2021, in Davenport, Iowa. Iowa's 2nd Congressional District race last year might have ignited a rally from Democrats whose six-vote loss was the narrowest for any U.S. House seat in almost 40 years. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
'Past the point of no return'? Iowa Dems feel hopes fading

By Thomas Beaumont Jun. 01, 2021 12:03 AM EDT

Editorial Roundup: Iowa

By The Associated Press May. 31, 2021 10:00 AM EDT
Des Moines Register. May 26, 2021. Editorial: The GOP uses its unchecked power to make life better for a precious few in Iowa. How long...

Iowa official 'tired of fighting' as vaccine interest drops

By David Pitt May. 26, 2021 05:02 PM EDT
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Most Iowa counties declined any more coronavirus vaccine for this week amid a slack in demand, and an official in a county with one of...

Editorial Roundup: Iowa

By The Associated Press May. 24, 2021 10:00 AM EDT
Des Moines Register. May 20, 2021. Editorial: Law banning face mask requirements caps off months of pandering, reactionary government by...

In this Oct. 16, 2019 photo, Des Moines Public Schools Superintendent Tom Ahart speaks to students about the By Degrees foundation starting college savings accounts for students at Harding Middle School in Des Moines, Iowa. Like superintendents across the country, the leader of Iowa’s largest school system has faced plenty of criticism as he attempted to educate children in the past year while also keeping them safe during the coronavirus pandemic. But as pressure eases in many districts thanks to falling infection rates, Ahart is facing more uncertainty. (Kelsey Kremer/The Des Moines Register via AP)
Judge: Iowa school leader improperly kept kids out of school

May. 21, 2021 12:12 PM EDT

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds reacts after signing into law a bill that expands Iowa's charter school rules, Wednesday, May 19, 2021, in Des Moines, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Iowa lawmakers end session noted for conservative new laws

By David Pitt May. 20, 2021 08:52 AM EDT

Iowa governor signs charter school expansion into law

By David Pitt May. 19, 2021 03:00 PM EDT
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Gov. Kim Reynolds signed into law Wednesday a measure that expands Iowa's charter school rules, allowing groups to set up such schools...

In this Oct. 16, 2019 photo, Des Moines Public Schools Superintendent Tom Ahart speaks to students about the By Degrees foundation starting college savings accounts for students at Harding Middle School in Des Moines, Iowa. Like superintendents across the country, the leader of Iowa’s largest school system has faced plenty of criticism as he attempted to educate children in the past year while also keeping them safe during the coronavirus pandemic. But as pressure eases in many districts thanks to falling infection rates, Ahart is facing more uncertainty. (Kelsey Kremer/The Des Moines Register via AP)
Virus dispute could force Iowa schools leader out of job

Scott Mcfetridge May. 19, 2021 11:46 AM EDT

FILE - In this Nov. 14, 2019, file photo, Cristhian Bahena Rivera appears for a hearing at the Poweshiek County Courthouse in Montezuma, Iowa. Citing COVID-19 protocols, Judge Joel Yates said in an order dated Monday, May 10, 2021, that members of the public and news media will not be allowed inside the courtroom when Rivera's trial starts next week. Rivera, 26, is charged with first-degree murder in the death of Mollie Tibbetts, 20, who disappeared in July 2018 while out for a run in her hometown of Brooklyn, Iowa. (Brian Powers/The Des Moines Register via AP File)/The Des Moines Register via AP)
Prosecutor says trial in Iowa student's death won't be easy

By Ryan J. Foley May. 17, 2021 01:18 AM EDT

Des Moines district won't extend superintendent's contract

May. 16, 2021 12:23 PM EDT
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The board of Iowa's largest school district narrowly decided not to extend the contract of its embattled superintendent beyond June...

Reynolds: Iowa will end $300 federal unemployment benefit

May. 11, 2021 11:40 AM EDT
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Gov. Kim Reynolds announced Tuesday that Iowa will join a bevy of Republican-led states ending pandemic-related federal programs that...

Iowa to get $1.48B in federal coronavirus assistance money

May. 10, 2021 03:52 PM EDT
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa will get $1.48 billion in aid under the federal government’s plan to help states hit by the coronavirus pandemic, according to new...

Iowa governor removes leader of nursing home for veterans

May. 10, 2021 01:55 PM EDT
MARSHALLTOWN, Iowa (AP) — Gov. Kim Reynolds has removed the chief executive of the state's nursing home for veterans and their spouses, months after praising...

Editorial Roundup: Iowa

By The Associated Press May. 10, 2021 10:00 AM EDT
Des Moines Register. May 6, 2021. Editorial: Iowa doesn’t have a labor shortage. It has a people shortage The next time...

Iowa pushes pop-up vaccination as demand for shots wanes

By David Pitt May. 05, 2021 03:25 PM EDT
JOHNSTON, Iowa (AP) — As interest in the coronavirus vaccine continues to lag, Iowa public health officials are trying to make it easier to get a shot. ...