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D.C. Dispatch: Ag policy, clean water and Chinese ‘dumping’
With both chambers of Congress back in session, Iowa’s delegates spent the week tackling agricultural matters in advance of the farm bill, and Sens. Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst pursued issues related to trade and spending in China. Rep. Zach Nunn announced legislation aimed at helping ag producers buy land and access markets. The legislation […]
North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum continues on the Iowa campaign trail with stop in Ankeny
Republican presidential candidate Doug Burgum discussed energy and national security Friday as an early morning attendee of the Northside Conservative Breakfast Club at the Briarwood Club in Ankeny. Burgum, the governor of North Dakota, announced his candidacy for president in Fargo on Wednesday. He followed the announcement by heading to Iowa, with stops in Farley […]
Iowa student progress ‘fared fairly well’ despite pandemic, state officials say
Iowa student performance over the past two years was close to what would have been expected before the pandemic, state Board of Education members heard Thursday. However, the state did see a “significant decline” in a national assessment on eighth-grade math, the Department of Education reported. The board was presented with Iowa Statewide Assessment of […]
Reynolds, congressional delegation request federal aid for Davenport building collapse
Gov. Kim Reynolds and members of Iowa’s congressional delegation are requesting federal assistance from President Joe Biden to respond to the May 28 collapse of a Davenport apartment building. Through a letter sent to the White House, Reynolds states the collapse is “of such severity and magnitude that effective response is beyond the capability of […]
Axne joins USDA senior leadership
Cindy Axne, former representative for Iowa’s 3rd Congressional District, was appointed to a federal level leadership position. Axne was appointed senior adviser for rural engagement, delivery and prosperity, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced Wednesday. Axne was the sole Democrat representing Iowa during her time in Congress. Former Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack is the U.S. […]
Iowa Court of Appeals accepting judge applications
The Iowa Court of Appeals is looking to fill a recent vacancy and will accept applications until July 3, the State Judicial Nominating Commission announced. The State Judicial Nominating Commission will nominate five applicants and present them as candidates for consideration by Gov. Kim Reynolds. Applications can be found at iowajnc.gov. Judge Anuradha Vaitheswaran’s retirement […]
Nunn introduces water system cybersecurity legislation
Reps. Zach Nunn and Don Davis, a Democrat from North Carolina, have introduced legislation that would direct the U.S. Department of Agriculture to expand the Circuit Rider Program. The Circuit Rider Program started in 1980 to assist rural water systems with training and technical knowledge, but the program currently has minimal cybersecurity support. Providing cybersecurity […]
Summer food program locations announced
Free meals for Iowa children and teens 18 and younger can be found at nearly 500 locations across the state this summer. The Iowa Department of Education announced Monday where Iowa students can find free meals after school is out for the summer. Students and families can find the nearest summer meal pickup locations using […]
Parental permission, survey opt out will affect data on young Iowans, advocates say
Plans to discontinue the Iowa Youth Risk Behavior Survey and a new barrier for surveying Iowa students pose a threat to data collected on youth behaviors, advocates say, specifically young transgender Iowans. The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has no plans to administer the Youth Risk Behavior Survey this academic year, the […]
Expansion of food bank inventory not the best way to address hunger, food pantry official says
A $5 million investment to expand Iowa food bank inventory announced by Gov. Kim Reynolds’ office is not the best route to solving food insecurity in Iowa, according to one Des Moines area food pantry. Reynolds announced Wednesday the Iowa Food Insecurity Infrastructure Fund is accepting applications for the month of June for projects to […]
More than 5,000 apply for state private school aid on first day
Over 5,000 families applied for state aid for private school expenses before the end of the first day of the application period, according to the governor’s office. Gov. Kim Reynolds announced the launch for education savings accounts, which provide state aid for private school expenses, in a video Wednesday morning. “I believe that school choice […]
Governor’s office announces staffing changes
Several staff members in Gov. Kim Reynolds’ office have departed or moved positions, the governor’s office has announced. The departures come a month after the state Legislature voted to give the governor’s office a $494,000 increase in funding for the upcoming fiscal year. During this year’s legislative session, Republican lawmakers leading debate on the budget […]