Author
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 […]
Education legislation changes outlook of school districts
As summer begins for Iowa’s various school districts, administrators are taking a collective breath after a difficult school year filled with many legislative and safety changes. In the 2021 Iowa Legislative session, there were nearly 300 House and Senate bills introduced that focused on education, according to the Iowa Department of Education. In 2020, there […]
Events, tourism return to Iowa as pandemic, worker shortage continue
As COVID-19 restrictions lift, Iowa will see more events and tourism returning to regular scheduling in the summer of 2021. “People weren’t able to get out as much as they might have preferred last year, so we’re anticipating a lot of people hitting the road,” said Jessica O’Riley, spokesperson for the Iowa Tourism Office. “I […]
Student leaders at Iowa’s public universities are disappointed and anxious about potential tuition increase
Students at Iowa’s public universities are preparing for tuition increases as they shoulder the cost of the Iowa Legislature’s decision to not increase higher education funding this fiscal year. Citing millions in COVID-19 relief funding and declining enrollment in four-year institutions in the state and country, Iowa Republicans kept funding levels for fiscal year 2022 […]