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Hands-free driving legislation remains stalled as highway fatalities rise
Highway fatalities are rising in Iowa and law enforcement officials believe the state’s difficult-to-enforce laws on distracted driving are playing a role. There have been 197 fatalities in crashes on Iowa roads, the Iowa Department of Transportation reported Tuesday. This is nearly a 9% increase from the five-year average of 181 fatalities and a 5% […]
Reynolds signs new casino moratorium, icing Cedar Rapids’ plans
Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds signed legislation Friday putting a two-year halt on consideration of new riverboat casino licenses in Iowa. The move comes as Linn County was preparing for another try to get a license from the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission (IRGC). The Legislature amended a larger gambling regulation bill, House File 2497, in […]
Iowa Supreme Court lowers damages in libel case by $8 million
The Iowa Supreme Court reduced damages from $11 million to almost $3 million in a libel suit against an Iowan who made accusations against his former employer. A lack of sufficient evidence of lost profits by the employer and today’s social media climate played roles in the court’s reasoning. After being fired for alleged workplace […]
County auditors: Hundreds of Iowa voters missed new deadline for absentee voting
Election officials in some of Iowa’s largest counties are reporting that hundreds of voters missed the deadline to request absentee ballots ahead of the June 7 primary. In four of Iowa’s largest counties — Polk, Linn, Scott and Black Hawk — a total of 461 voters’ requests for absentee ballots were denied that would have […]
D.C. Dispatch: Iowa politicians respond to the Uvalde shooting
Iowa’s congressional delegation responded to the elementary school shooting in Uvalde, Texas with sorrow and proposed legislative responses. Also this week, members of Iowa’s congressional delegation raised concerns about Trinity Health’s upcoming acquisition of the MercyOne health care system and asked when veterans will be able to access lifetime park passes. Sen. Chuck Grassley called […]