DES MOINES – Governor Kim Reynolds announced she is close to making a decision of whether or not to sign a bill that reduces the use of eminent domain for carbon capture pipelines. The Des Moines Register reports the Governor has until Saturday to decide whether House File 639 should become law. The bill split the Republican party in the vote margins, and would prohibit hazardous liquid pipelines from using eminent domain unless sell the commodity to an unaffiliated buyer. The bill was passed in response to Summit Carbon Solutions $9 billion, multi-state proposal to connect 57 ethanol plants to underground storage for carbon dioxide.

DES MOINES – Drought conditions expanded across the state due to below-normal precipitation in May, according to the latest Water Summary Update. After a drier-than-normal April, May saw decreased rainfall across all regions of the state, resulting in an increase in drought and abnormally dry conditions. While early rain events initially helped maintain stable dry conditions, lower rainfall amounts later in the month resulted in deteriorating conditions across Iowa. May’s average statewide precipitation was 2.80 inches, or 2.04 inches below normal. Iowa’s Drought Plan showed degrading conditions across the state except in the central drought region. However, western Iowa now carries a drought watch designation, with the remaining drought regions remaining under a normal drought designation.

DES MOINES – Fireworks vendors in Iowa say a new law passed in the 2025 session has bolstered sales in the state. WHO-13 reports Senate File 303 allowed for widespread use of fireworks on July 3rd and 4th, as well as January 1st, prohibiting cities and counties from banning their use on those days. Several Des Moines metro sales vendors have reported an uptick in interest following the law passing.