DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Eight days after Iowa saw record turnout for its primary election, the Republican controlled Senate passed legislation that will prohibit methods that led to its success. Republican Secretary of State Paul Pate sent out absentee ballots to every voter in the state to encourage voters to vote absentee during the pandemic. No longer. Senate Republicans now want voters to have to request a ballot.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Des Moines Black Lives Matter activists gathered at the Statehouse this morning to once again speak with lawmakers. The group gathered outside Gov. Kim Reynolds’ office while chanting, “Let them vote!” regarding a proposed amendment that would stop the Secretary of State from distributing absentee ballot request forms by mail.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – The 2020 Iowa State Fair will be cancelled because of COVID-19. Many grandstand acts had already cancelled their appearances. Des Moines stands to lose $110 million.

IOWA (IRN) – U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, and Iowa Workforce Development Director Beth Townsend are calling for a cut in federal payments to unemployed workers as the economy recovers from the COVID-19-caused recession.Townsend said that 79% of Iowans on unemployment since April have received more money each week than they did at their former jobs. Grassley says “that doesn’t seem like a recipe for economic growth.”

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Iowa businesses are preparing to open at full capacity, after Gov. Kim Reynolds announced more coronavirus restrictions are being lifted Wednesday. Her new proclamation allows businesses like restaurants, bars, fitness centers, casinos, senior citizen centers, adult daycare facilities, salons, barbershops, medical spas, theaters and performance venues, race tracks, and malls to reopen without capacity limits.