Briefs
Nearly all national park sites to close during government shutdown
Almost all National Park Service sites will be inaccessible during a partial federal government shutdown likely to start this weekend, the U.S. Interior Department said Friday. The agency will bar access to most of the nation’s 425 parks, recreation areas, national historic sites and other units, according to a fact sheet from the Interior Department, […]
Summit pipeline hearing will resume on Tuesday
A regulatory hearing for Summit Carbon Solution’s pipeline permit has concluded for the week and will resume on Tuesday. The Iowa Utilities Board had hoped to finish Summit’s evidentiary hearing by the end of this month, but the cross examination of witnesses has gone longer than it initially anticipated. Board chairperson Erik Helland and Summit […]
Pennsylvania’s Fetterman may pursue expulsion of ‘defiant’ Menendez from U.S. Senate
WASHINGTON — Pennsylvania Democratic U.S. Sen. John Fetterman said Thursday he would be open to expelling New Jersey Democratic Sen. Bob Menendez from the Senate. “Now that it’s confirmed that he’s not going to go the honorable way. You know, I would like to pursue whatever avenues are available,” Fetterman told reporters. Menendez spoke privately […]
Drought in Iowa retreats slightly with rainfall
Widespread rainfall in the past week helped alleviate some of the worst drought conditions in Iowa, according to a Thursday report by the U.S. Drought Monitor. A wide area of exceptional drought — the worst of four classifications — in far northeast Iowa was upgraded to extreme drought in the latest report. That area has […]
Menendez to address U.S. Senate Democrats Thursday about his indictment
WASHINGTON — New Jersey U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez will address his Democratic colleagues in a closed-door meeting Thursday amid growing calls for him to resign following a federal indictment. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said Wednesday that he was “deeply disappointed, disturbed” after reading the indictment, which charged Menendez with conspiracy to commit bribery, conspiracy […]
Widespread rainfall slows crop harvest in Iowa
Significant rainfall late last week impeded the harvest of Iowa’s corn and soybeans, but it helped replenish some soil moisture that has been sorely lacking in the ongoing drought. About 9% of the state’s corn crop has been harvested for grain, along with about 11% of soybeans, according to a Monday report by the U.S. […]
Menendez steps down temporarily as U.S. Senate committee chairman amid federal charges
WASHINGTON — New Jersey Democratic Sen. Bob Menendez will temporarily step aside as chairman of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee following a federal indictment for conspiracy to commit bribery and other charges. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer made the announcement Friday afternoon, saying in a written statement that “Senator Menendez has rightly decided to […]
Libertarian Party of Iowa announces it will hold caucuses Jan. 15
The Libertarian Party of Iowa announced Friday it plans to hold its presidential caucuses Jan. 15, 2024 alongside the state’s Republican and Democratic caucuses. Jules Cutler, chair of the Libertarian Party of Iowa, said in a statement that the party plans to hold events that reflect Libertarians’ “commitment to genuine representation and a bottom-up approach […]
Biden administration to create new gun violence prevention office
WASHINGTON — The White House Thursday announced the formation of an Office of Gun Violence Prevention that will help states and local governments as they implement a gun safety legislative package President Joe Biden signed into law last year. Lacking additional action in Congress to curb gun violence, “the Office of Gun Violence Prevention along […]
Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds’ husband diagnosed with lung cancer
Iowa first gentleman Kevin Reynolds, husband of Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds, has been diagnosed with lung cancer. The governor’s office shared the medical diagnosis Thursday, along with a statement from Gov. Reynolds about her spouse’s plans for treatment. “We’re grateful to the incredible medical team caring for Kevin,” she said in a statement. “Our doctor […]
Biden administration offers temporary protection to Venezuelan migrants
WASHINGTON — U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas announced late Wednesday that the agency will expand protected status to nearly half a million Venezuelan nationals, allowing them to live and work in the United States. The move comes after multiple requests from cities that have struggled to house asylum seekers and calls from […]
While serving time for child porn, Iowa EMT loses his license to practice
The Iowa Bureau of Emergency Medical and Trauma Services has revoked the license of an EMT now serving time in federal prison for using his government-provided internet service to access child pornography. In March, Iowa-licensed EMT Justin Mezera, 34, of Cedar Rapids was sentenced to nine years in prison for receipt of child pornography. According […]