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Grassley demurs on his role in potential Roe reversal
U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley was reticent in a call with reporters Wednesday about his role in the anticipated overturning of Roe v. Wade, the landmark court decision that made abortions widely available in the United States. “You never know what they’re going to do,” Grassley said of Supreme Court nominees he has supported. “You look […]
Iowa COVID cases up 23% in past week
The state averaged a little more than 300 new confirmed COVID-19 cases per day in the past week, a 23% increase over the previous week, according to Iowa Department of Public Health data released Wednesday. That continues an upward trend since late March, when the number of weekly cases had diminished to one of the […]
West Des Moines cuts ‘forever chemicals’ from drinking water
The treated drinking water of West Des Moines no longer has detectable amounts of two prominent toxic chemicals that persist indefinitely in the environment, according to recent test results. West Des Moines Water Works shut down a contaminated well late last year after sampling by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources revealed it had troubling […]
Low soil temps, soggy conditions slow spring corn planting
A stretch of cold and wet weather has significantly delayed Iowa’s corn planting this year, and the window for optimal yields is shrinking. Just 9% of the state’s corn crop has been planted, according to a Monday report by the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship. In the past five years, about 42% of […]
Salvage yard fined $10,000 by state environmental regulators
The owner of a salvage yard in southeast Iowa has repeatedly failed to properly dispose of pollutants from junk vehicles and appliances in at least the past eight years and has illegally stockpiled thousands of tires and building debris, according to an Iowa Department of Natural Resources administrative order. Phil Feinberg was fined $10,000 by […]
Meatpackers deny price fixing for beef
The record profits for meatpackers in the past two years were the result of market conditions during the coronavirus pandemic, along with increased consumer demand, according to leaders of the country’s four large meatpacking companies. The meatpacking executives defended their business practices during a lengthy congressional committee hearing on Wednesday. U.S. Rep. David Scott, D-Georgia, […]
Iowa’s COVID-19 infection rate nearly doubles in past two weeks
State health officials identified an average of 245 new COVID-19 infections per day in Iowa in the past week, which is almost double the rate of two weeks ago, according to new data released Wednesday by the Iowa Department of Public Health. The state reported 1,716 new confirmed cases for the past week, up from […]
Debate begins on Grassley’s bills to help smaller cattle producers
Some federal lawmakers hope to boost the solvency of smaller cattle producers by giving them more information about current market prices, more options for selling their animals and increased federal oversight of the industry. The U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry began its consideration of two bills on Tuesday meant to further those […]
Pence in Iowa: A glimpse at the Republican election strategy
CARROLL, Ia. — Former Vice President Mike Pence lauded three of Iowa’s prominent Republican leaders in a visit to the state Saturday and lambasted Democrats and the Biden administration over a number of issues that could be key to election success later this year. “It’s amazing to think how far our country has fallen in […]
State reports truck-washing business caught red-handed dumping waste
A Mason City truck-washing business was caught by a state environmental officer illegally dumping diluted corn oil on the ground when the officer went to the site to follow up on the business’ illegal dumping of a green agricultural chemical the day before, according to a recent Iowa Department of Natural Resources administrative order that […]
After 2-week lull, deadly bird flu hits Iowa again
A deadly, highly transmissible avian influenza was detected in a commercial turkey flock in Bremer County, the 17th such detection in Iowa this year, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship said Thursday. Its nearly 30,000 birds will be culled to prevent the spread of the virus. The detection is the first in Iowa […]
Grassley says his longevity makes him a ‘powerful force’ for Iowa
DENISON, Ia. — U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, would have the most seniority of any sitting member of the Senate if his reelection bid is successful this year, and he said that is a primary reason he is seeking another term. “I think it puts me in a good place to be a powerful force […]