Author
Iowa Capitol journalists form new group to promote transparency in state government
Journalists from the Iowa Statehouse press corps have formed a new association aimed at supporting continued coverage of state government agencies and the Legislature. The Iowa Capitol Press Association, which launched on Monday, will promote policies that encourage transparency and access at the state level. Journalists from Iowa Capital Dispatch are members of the group. […]
Health, education officials credit masks for low COVID spread in schools
During a statewide address last week, Gov. Kim Reynolds expanded face mask requirements across the state in light of a spike in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations. But she excluded one of the state’s most populated indoor facilities: School buildings. Reynolds defended the exclusion the next day, saying there haven’t been reported “super spreader” events at […]
Iowa hospitals will see ‘New York City-style collapse’ says epidemiologist
In March, Iowans watched videos of overwhelmed nurses and pop-up emergency tents as New York City tried to handle the overload of sick patients on its crumbling hospital system. Nine months later, that is a potential reality in Iowa in the next few weeks as rural hospitals are increasingly sending its sickest patients larger cities, […]
Iowa GOP leader to propose mandating visitation rights at care facilities
State Sen. Jake Chapman, R-Adel, said he is drafting a “patient bill of rights,” for this upcoming legislative session that will give family members legal rights to visit relatives in hospitals, nursing homes and hospices, especially if they’re dying. The proposed legislation comes as Chapman said he’s dealt with his own grief in the last […]
Iowa Board of Regents to continue tuition freeze, emphasize campus free-speech policy
The Iowa Board of Regents will continue freezing tuition and mandatory fees at the state’s three public universities for the spring 2021 semester, president Michael Richards announced during Wednesday’s meeting Over the summer, the board voted to approve a tuition freeze for the fall, due to the financial burdens of COVID-19 on students. As the […]
COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness, ‘better than we anticipated,’ says University of Iowa dean of Carver College
Two COVID-19 vaccines that are expected to be submitted soon for federal review and licensure are showing “very promising data,” members of the Iowa Board of Regents heard Wednesday. Pat Winokur, executive dean of the University of Iowa Carver College, is the principal investigator for the Pfizer vaccine trial conducted at the school. She told […]
Reynolds defends decision to not require masks in Iowa schools
Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds is defending her decision to not require masks in Iowa schools, saying on Tuesday she believes “we’re not seeing a lot of transmission from the students” in classrooms. “Right now, we’re going to stay where we’re at with that,” Reynolds said. Reynolds announced her strictest mask requirements yet on Monday, ordering […]
Grassley tests positive for COVID-19
U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley has tested positive for COVID-19, according to his congressional office. In a tweet, Grassley, 87, said he is following his doctor’s orders and will continue to quarantine at home. I’ve tested positive for coronavirus. I’ll b following my doctors’ orders/CDC guidelines & continue to quarantine. I’m feeling good + will keep […]
Reynolds shifts tone, requires masks indoors as hospitalizations skyrocket
During a primetime address to Iowans, Gov. Kim Reynolds said Monday she is increasing COVID-19 mitigation measures as Iowa hospitals endure a surge of infected patients. The new measures, which include indoor mask requirements, limits on social gatherings, and reductions in elective surgery, are to begin at midnight and end Dec. 10. Reynolds said the […]
Iowa’s COVID-19 hospitalizations continue to break records as facilities reach capacity
The number of Iowans hospitalized due to COVID-19 complications continues to skyrocket as hospital staff at major facilities say their workers and their capacity are being stretched thin. On Saturday, the Polk County Health Department announced that area hospitals were stressed over the record number of coronavirus-related hospitalizations. “We cannot stress enough how alarming and […]
Democrats can’t assume they have the ‘Latino vote,’ especially in rural Iowa
It’s no surprise to Joanne Alvorez that some Latino and Hispanic voters in her community cast their ballots for President Donald Trump. In Storm Lake, the economic and political spectrum of the Latino community is vast and complicated. There are third and fourth generations of Latinos who are well-established. There are class and ideological divides. […]
Iowa House Democrats: Election losses were beyond ‘immediate control’
Iowa House Minority Leader Todd Prichard on Saturday acknowledged the 2020 election “came short” for local Democrats in part because of a strong showing by Republicans. However, Prichard added that he doesn’t think Iowans are satisfied with the handling of COVID-19 in the state. “We need to learn from this election and find ways to […]