DES MOINES – Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds announced Tuesday that Lieutenant Governor Adam Gregg is stepping down from his position to pursue a career opportunity that allows him to focus more on his family. Reynolds named Gregg as acting lieutenant governor in May 2017, when she succeeded Terry Branstad as Governor after Branstad was named U.S. Ambassador to China. Reynolds and Gregg have since been elected to two terms in office, in 2018 and 2022. Under Iowa Code, Reynolds will make an appointment to fill the vacancy of lieutenant governor and the appointee will serve for the remainder of the unexpired term. Until Governor Reynolds makes an appointment later this fall, the president of the Senate Amy Sinclair will be next in line of succession.

CEDAR RAPIDS – A Vinton woman is accused of backing her vehicle into a Cedar Rapids Police car and then leading police on a high-speed chase through Cedar Rapids on Tuesday. According to court documents, Stephanie Koob refused to exit her vehicle when a Cedar Rapids police officer made contact with her while investigating active warrants for her arrest. KCRG-TV reports that Koob then reportedly backed her car into the police car, causing between $1,500 and $10,000 in damages. She then led officers on a high-speed chase through Cedar Rapids, going 25 miles per hour or more over the speed limit.

DES MOINES – The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services announced the intent to award a Managed Care Organization contract to Iowa Total Care on Tuesday. The new Iowa Medicaid contract period begins July 1st, 2025, with no change in operations. Iowa Total Care has been serving Iowa Medicaid members as a Managed Care Organization since July 1st, 2019. Iowa Medicaid members will continue to receive their Medicaid benefits with the health plan they are currently enrolled in, with no changes resulting from this contract. Members will be able to make an enrollment selection change during the annual open choice enrollment period in Spring 2025. Iowa Medicaid contracts with three Managed Care Organizations in Iowa Total Care, Molina and Wellpoint Iowa, Inc. to provide health care services to Iowans.