IOWA – As Iowa’s democrats watched the number of elected seats they hold drop yet again, they selected new leadership in the Iowa Senate. The Des Moines Register reports Janice Weiner will spearhead efforts by the minority that holds just 15 seats in the upper chamber of the Iowa Statehouse. She was elected to her seat in 2022 following time on the Iowa City City Council and with the U.S. State Department.

IOWA – Governor Kim Reynolds is proposing the Republican supermajority in the Iowa Statehouse to consider restricting cell phone use in Iowa’s public schools. KCRG-TV reports the governor is working with staff to draft potential legislation as many districts continue to see issues with distractions and bullying in classrooms. Several Iowa public and private school districts have already moved to restrict or outright ban devices in class.

IOWA CITY – While he started the season as Iowa’s quarterback and lost that role in the last few weeks, he hasn’t ended his career in Iowa City despite several rumors claiming that was the case. Cade McNamara will not play for the Hawkeyes this Saturday, according to WHO-13, but intends to play before the season ends as he deals with post-concussion symptoms. Several reports indicated McNamara had left the team in frustration, but instead, he himself has contradicted those sources, saying he wants to be ready to compete against Nebraska next week.