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Iowa company creates virtual reality classrooms for 10 universities
Students from 10 universities around the country can visit historical settings or perform surgery on cadavers, all from the comfort of their homes, after an Iowa company that specializes in virtual reality created digital campuses. During the pandemic, students at Morehouse College in Atlanta reported struggling with online learning. The university came to VictoryXR, a […]
Potential Juul ban will boost other vaping brands, retailers and customers say
Even in the slow summer months in a college town, Aj’s Liquor in Ames sells roughly 160 Juul pods a week to customers between the ages of 21 to 24. But convenience store shelves could be stripped of Juul products, depending on a decision by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration about the products’ safety. […]
Iowa airports receive $27 million in grants from federal government
Five Iowa airports will receive $27 million in grants from the bipartisan infrastructure bill passed by Congress. The U.S. Department of Transportation announced Thursday that Cedar Rapids, Council Bluffs, Des Moines, Dubuque and Washington area airports will receive money from the 2022 Airport Terminal Program. It is one of three aviation programs funded by the […]
Libertarian Rick Stewart campaigns for Iowa governor on ending the war on drugs
If elected Iowa governor, libertarian candidate Rick Stewart says he plans to resolve gun violence and the mental health crisis by legalizing psychedelic therapy. To do so, Stewart says he would work with the Iowa Legislature to eliminate every drug law in the state. Until he garnered support, Stewart said he would issue a pardon […]
School officials caution new law could harm students, districts
Iowa school officials are concerned a new “parental choice” law will interfere with district funding and their ability to plan yearly budgets, which they say will ultimately affect students. Students attending Iowa public schools now have the option to open enroll into any district at any given time of the year. When students leave, over […]
D.C. Dispatch: Iowa Republicans work to continue construction on southern border wall
Iowa lawmakers joined this week in focusing attention on illegal immigration and the southern border, while also advocating for disaster aid, Farm Bill updates and a proposal to control prescription drug prices. Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks proposed a resolution to direct the federal government to hand over materials for constructing the southern border wall to states […]
High travel rates expected for the holiday weekend
Nearly 50 million Americans will travel for the holiday weekend, making this the second busiest Independence Day since 2000. In Iowa, the Des Moines International Airport is anticipating high travel rates. From June 30 through July 4, over 26,800 passengers are expected to process through Des Moines Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Security Checkpoint. Iowa’s largest […]
Iowa COVID-19 cases rise while hospitalization decreases
The state of Iowa has seen a 22% increase in reported COVID-19 cases in the past seven days, the Iowa Department of Public Health reported Wednesday. A total of 4,787 Iowans have reported testing positive for COVID-19 over the past week — roughly 684 per day, the state agency reported. That is up from 3,919 […]
Iowa food pantries see high demand amid supply chain shortage
Bobby Chase’s income as a full-time cook at an Ames pizza restaurant forces him to choose between paying for groceries or rent for the month. “There are places that don’t want to give hours or a pay that actually makes sure people can pay their bills or for food,” Chase said. Local food pantries in […]
‘Field of Dreams’ TV series receives $6 million in state funding
Gov. Kim Reynolds’ office announced Monday that $16.5 million in grant money will be divided among multiple tourism and recreational projects, including the “Field of Dreams” television series. Universal Television is one of four organizations to receive the first batch of Destination Iowa funding awarded by the Iowa Economic Development Authority. Specifically, $6 million will fund […]
D.C. Dispatch: Iowa Republican representatives oppose gun reform bill due to constitutional concerns
Most of Iowa’s Republican federal representatives said they voted against bipartisan legislation to address gun violence because it might threaten Americans’ constitutional rights. The Bipartisan Safer Communities Act increases background checks for people ages 18 to 21 who are buying a gun and allocates millions of dollars for mental health and school safety programs. “There […]
Reynolds appoints campaign donor to Iowa Board of Regents
Gov. Kim Reynolds appointed Des Moines area businessman James “JC” Risewick to the Iowa Board of Regents Friday. Risewick is the president and chief operating officer of his family business, Seneca Companies, which specializes in petroleum dispensing and design solutions for gas stations. “I’m thankful that the Governor has appointed me to this position, and […]