Category: State News

DES MOINES – The federal government shutdown has different benefits at crosshairs for vulnerable populations across the country and in Iowa. KCCI-TV reports subsidies for the Affordable Care Act are at the center of the dispute, which if they expire, could impact 150,000 Iowans. On Thursday, Governor Kim Reynolds called on an end to the shutdown, blaming Democrats, as SNAP benefits are in jeopardy in November. Approximately 131,000 households in Iowa are eligible for SNAP, which cost $45 million per month. Republicans have thus far rejected calls to negotiate the health care subsidies.

DES MOINES – A Des Moines high school student was detained during an immigration check-in and ultimately deported. The Des Moines Register reports the 18-year-old attended a September 30th appointment with his guardian and immigrants rights advocates. He was ultimately detained and sent to Hardin County Jail, before being sent to Louisiana and then to Central America, all in about two weeks. Federal agents have increased their arrest volume by nearly 200%, according to the report, from the previous year to the current rate.

IOWA – The Iowa Department of Transportation has launched a campaign aimed at further educating young drivers about the dangers of certain behaviors behind the wheel. WHO-13 reports the Iowa DOT has created the “Alive at 25” program, a voluntary four-hour course that compliments the standard driver education program. Young drivers who have a second violation on an intermediate license can participate in the program to lift a possible suspension.

DES MOINES – An Iowa senator has requested an auditing of the Iowa Department of Education related to the recent arrest of the former Superintendent of the Des Moines Public School system. WHO-13 reports State Senator Tony Bisignano sent a letter to State Auditor Rob Sand to look into official procedures for background checks and licensing. Roberts was the leader of the largest school district in Iowa when he was arrested on federal immigration charges in September. He’s scheduled to go on trial on December 1st, according to the Des Moines Register.

IOWA – Voters in Iowa will be hitting the polls on November 4th, with 55 bond referendums listed on ballots across the state. KCCI-TV reports 18 of those are repeat efforts following failed votes held in prior years. Those require 60% of support to pass in Iowa.

AMES – The Iowa Board of Regents has announced the search for a new Iowa State University president has a field narrowed down to four. Iowa Capital Dispatch reports the semifinalists are invited to head to campus in November, with the name of those individuals revealed as they arrive in Ames. Current ISU President Wendy Wintersteen is retiring in January.

CRESTON – A judge has issued a temporary restraining order that prevents an Iowa school district from firing a teacher over social media comments made following the assassination of Charlie Kirk. Iowa Capital Dispatch reports Federal Judge Rebecca Goodgame Ebinger granted a motion in favor of Creston School District Teacher Melisa Crook, who claims the district is violating her First Amendment rights by attempting to let her go. Crook cited several politically-motivated posts by the superintendent and School Board President.

DES MOINES – On the same day former Superintendent Ian Roberts pled not guilty to federal immigration charges, the Des Moines Public School District placed another administrator on leave. The Des Moines Register reports the district’s chief academic officer Robert Lundin has been out since October 6th for an undisclosed reason. The move comes just weeks after former superintendent Roberts was arrested by federal immigration officers.

DES MOINES – Governor Kim Reynolds released the list of recommendations made by a task force comprised of business leaders as it relates to possible efficiency in the state government. KCCI-TV reports Reynolds held a press conference Tuesday about the Iowa DOGE Task Force, a group formed this past spring modeled after similar federal government efforts. Before the final recommendations were released, the group was criticized for potentially targeting IPERs retirement benefits for state employees, but Reynolds denies the program is a target. The final list included a potential incentive-based pay structure for teachers.

IOWA – Regular updates about the harvest have not been made this year due to the Federal Government shutdown. Iowa Capital Dispatch reports at this point last year, 68% of corn and 91% of soybeans had been harvested. While the federal resources aren’t available, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig says this year’s harvest is likely outpacing the 2024 numbers. Many farmers have felt pressure to harvest early due tot he threat of Southern corn rust, which has driven yields down.

DES MOINES – Iowa Workforce Development has furloughed 67 workers as part of the ongoing shutdown. KCCI-TV reports that some of those people will be let go entirely, while others will work a reduced schedule until the federal funding impasse ends. Iowa Workforce Development released a statement, noting that core unemployment benefits will not be impacted.

IOWA – Gusty, northwesterly winds develop today as colder air pushes into the state. Sustained winds of 25 to 30 mph are likely, with gusts over 45 mph possible at times. Conditions will be windy over much of the state, but the strongest are expected over northern Iowa. Morning lows Wednesday through Friday drop near freezing over northern Iowa, with lows in the mid and upper 30s farther south.

IOWA – Thousands of Iowans joined others across the country participating in “No Kings” rallies against President Donald Trump and his administration on Saturday. KCCI-TV reports several events were planned in Iowa among nearly 2,500 events across the United States. Several thousand people gathered at the Iowa Statehouse on the steps of the Capitol later in the day Saturday to protest policies by the Trump administration.

DES MOINES – The state panel tasked with projecting revenue in the state is showing continued decline for the current and upcoming fiscal year. Iowa Capital Dispatch reports the Revenue Estimating Conference predicts an additional dip of $375 million in the current fiscal year from projections made in March. The drop of nine percent brings the projection down to $8.1 billion, with the panel citing new federal tax policies passed in the reconciliation bill by Republicans this summer, as well as ongoing trade disputes with China and Brazil.

IOWA – With more season-like temperatures settling into the region after a warm fall, the color change is peaking for most Iowans this week across the state. According to the Iowa DNR, the vast majority of Iowans are seeing the best of the leaves outdoors. The forecast from the National Weather Services shows daytime highs in the 50s and 60s for the majority of the state as well through the weekend, with the possibility of frost settling in overnight Tuesday and Wednesday.