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Iowa businesses offer more hybrid options for workers
As more Iowans return to in-person work environments after a year of the pandemic, more businesses plan to offer partially at-home options for employees who want them. Hybrid working alternatives are a popular reality for businesses in the newest phase of the novel coronavirus pandemic, said Kevin Crowley, commercial manager at NAI Iowa Realty. While […]
A beacon of hope: Iowa entertainment venues wait for federal funding to hit
Two months after applications opened for federal pandemic assistance, Iowa venues continue to wait for federal money to keep their businesses afloat. The Shuttered Venue Operators Grant, or SVOG, program, will allocate $16 billion to venues across the country as part the federal pandemic aid approved earlier this year. Robert Warren, executive director of Hoyt […]
Public access to local government continues to adapt during pandemic
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Iowa cities and other local governments had to find new ways for citizens to participate in public meetings that were largely held electronically. As many Iowa cities prepare to return to in-person public meetings, public access is evolving again. In Des Moines, officials are looking at curtailing in-person public participation in […]
Iowa community college leaders oppose student debt forgiveness, free college
Student debt forgiveness raises concerns about fairness to students who chose lower-cost educations, two Iowa community college leaders said during a recent interview on Iowa PBS. Forgiving student debt does not solve the underlying issues in higher education, said Kristie Fisher, the chancellor of the Iowa Valley Community College District. “What I’d hate to see […]
Iowa district court blocks 24-hour wait period, additional appointment for abortions
A Johnson County district judge has found unconstitutional a state law enacted in 2020 that requires a mandatory 24-hour waiting period and a second clinic appointment for women seeking abortions. Rita Bettis Austen, legal director of ACLU of Iowa, said Tuesday she was immensely relieved by the decision. “The Iowa Supreme Court has recognized that […]
Iowa Supreme Court upholds part of Waterloo’s ‘ban the box’ ordinance
A portion of Waterloo’s “ban the box” ordinance will remain in place after an Iowa Supreme Court decision. The court affirmed the ordinance’s regulation that businesses with more than 15 employees cannot ask about job applicants’ criminal histories until they extend a conditional job offer. The court nullified the section of the ordinance that prohibits […]
Iowa Ethics and Campaign Disclosure Board to evaluate Reynolds’ media campaign
The Iowa Ethics and Campaign Disclosure Board will review Gov. Kim Reynolds’ coronavirus media campaign in light of allegations from Iowa State Auditor Rob Sand that it violated state law, the auditor’s office reported Monday. Sand released a report in late May alleging Reynolds sought to “promote herself” through the taxpayer-funded, COVID-19 public awareness “Step […]
Iowa Supreme Court: Police can’t search trash without warrants
Editor’s note: This story has been corrected and updated. The previous version incorrectly characterized the court’s ruling. The Iowa Supreme Court on Friday said police can’t search a suspect’s trash without a warrant. In a 4-3 decision, the court ruled a police search of garbage left outside of homes for collection is an “unreasonable and […]
Jury awards $8 million in defamation case
A jury has awarded damages totaling $8 million to a Polk County man and his daughter in a defamation case against a Des Moines lawyer who repeatedly claimed the man had molested his daughter. A jury returned a verdict June 8 that awarded a total of $8 million to Thomas and Aynsley Starbuck against Jaysen […]
New health concerns emerge post-pandemic
As the spread of COVID-19 slows in Iowa, health professionals are voicing concerns about post-pandemic health issues. The main concerns in the state are still related to the pandemic, both physically — with post-COVID syndrome and inflammation issues — and mentally. With hospitals, medical centers, and health clinics returning to full volumes, they are still […]
Polk County approves vaccine lottery
Polk County is starting a COVID-19 vaccine incentive program in the form of a lottery this summer. Fully vaccinated residents can enter to win up to $50,000 starting June 25. The county is beginning the vaccine lottery with its first drawing on June 25, the Polk County Board of Supervisors and the county’s health department […]
Wedding celebrations return with ferocity, minor changes
Wedding celebrations are returning quickly as bridal parties’ postponement dates arrive and warmer weather returns to Iowa. Local businesses are seeing a rush of post-pandemic bookings from summer dates to years in the future, and couples are contacting venues earlier on in the planning process to ensure they have dates, said Jasper Winery Wedding Coordinator […]