Briefs
Pelosi picks impeachment squad; House votes to send articles to Senate
WASHINGTON — An Army veteran, a former cop and a congressional aide during the Nixon impeachment proceedings are among the U.S. House Democrats who will soon make the case for ousting President Donald Trump from office. The U.S. House on Wednesday approved a resolution that named seven impeachment managers to serve as prosecutors in the […]
U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst touts raising $1.7 million in fourth quarter
U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst tweeted out on Wednesday that she raised nearly $1.7 million this last fundraising quarter as she prepares to campaign for re-election in 2020. This will be her first run for re-election since she was elected into office in 2015. Some analysts predict her race will be competitive, citing negative voter sentiments […]
Bill would create special driver’s license for teen farm workers
For Iowa teenagers helping their families out on the farm, there’s a new bill that would create a new special license that could let them drive a vehicle up to 50 miles in Iowa. The bill, introduced by Iowa Sen. Tim Kapucian, R-Keystone, authorizes the Iowa Department of Transportation to issue a “special minor farm […]
Jennifer Easler named consumer advocate
Jennifer Easler has been appointed consumer advocate for regulated utility issues, replacing Mark Schuling, who retired Jan. 10, Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller announced. Easler, an attorney in the office since 1996, must be confirmed by the Iowa Senate. She will oversee a staff of 14 people who investigate services regulated by the Iowa Utilities […]
DOT: Traffic fatalities running 40% above average
The year is young, but the seven traffic-related deaths in Iowa through Jan. 10 is two more than than five-year average — up 40%, the Iowa Department of Transportation reported. The DOT’s Monday newsletter noted that this can be a particularly dangerous time of year to drive, and not just because of the snow and […]
NRCS seeks comment on conservation easement rule
The U.S. Natural Resources Conservation Service will accept public comments through March 6 on its interim rule on the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program, part of changes in the 2018 farm bill. “Through easements, agricultural landowners are protecting agricultural lands from development, restoring grazing lands and returning wetlands to their natural conditions,” NRCS Chief Matthew Lohr […]
Acting Chief Justice David Wiggins to retire from Iowa Supreme Court
Iowa Supreme Court Chief Acting Justice David Wiggins announced on Friday that he is retiring from the state’s highest court, effective in March. The news comes about 24 hours after Gov. Kim Reynolds received the names of three finalists to fill another vacancy on the court. Wiggins, 68, was appointed to the Supreme Court in […]
Longtime DOT staffer named interim department chief
Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds has appointed longtime Iowa Department of Transportation staffer Stuart Anderson as interim director effective Friday. He replaces Mark Lowe. He resigned effective Friday at the request of Reynolds, who indicated she wanted a change in leadership. Lowe served at-will, meaning he could be dismissed for any reason. He told DOT staff […]
Last year brought 6 inches extra rain to Iowa
A new state report shows Iowa got six inches more rain than usual in 2019. It was the 12th-wettest year on record, with 41.5 inches of rain, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and partners reported. “2019 was a very wet year, but so was 2018. The last two years combined were the wettest two […]
Reynolds’ campaign raises record-breaking $1.3 million
Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds’ campaign said she raised over $1.3 million in 2019, breaking the fundraising record for total contributions an Iowa governor has collected the year after an election, according to a news release from the Kim Reynolds for Iowa Committee. Reynolds was elected as the first female governor in 2018 and will not […]
DNR investigates red stream in Davenport
State environmental investigators are still looking into what caused a red sheen on Crow Creek in northern Davenport on Tuesday. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources and the city of Davenport reported that the pollution appears to be a nontoxic dye from a nearby property. No harm to the environment is expected, but state officials […]
Policy group: Lawmakers should boost family aid, child care, education support
In a new report, Iowa Policy Project calls on lawmakers to strengthen several key programs to help low-income families make ends meet and train for jobs. IPP said its previous studies have shown showed about one in five working families in Iowa don’t make enough to pay for basic needs. The new report, “Strengthening Pathways […]