Justice

Legislators call governor’s agenda ‘bold’ but stop short of pledging passage

BY: - January 14, 2020

Gov. Kim Reynolds on Tuesday announced what may be her most ambitious agenda to date, centered around a one-cent sales tax increase that would be offset by cuts in income taxes, property taxes and other state revenue streams. Her proposals focus significantly on workforce development, environmental challenges and mental health, but also delve into abortion […]

Jennifer Easler named consumer advocate

BY: - January 13, 2020

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 […]

Acting Chief Justice David Wiggins to retire from Iowa Supreme Court

BY: - January 10, 2020

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 […]

What’s Gov. Kim Reynolds got to worry about?

BY: - January 10, 2020

Gov. Kim Reynolds doesn’t seem to have a lot of worries these days.  She’s starting the second legislative session of her four-year term.  Her Republican Party controls both chambers of the Legislature. And her campaign just announced record-breaking fundraising for this stage of any Iowa governor’s term. Reynolds sat down with Iowa Capital Dispatch recently […]

Judge, two attorneys are finalists for Iowa Supreme Court

BY: - January 9, 2020

The State Judicial Nominating Commission on Thursday narrowed the pool of Iowa Supreme Court Justice applicants down to three and now it’s up to Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds to make the final decision on who will take a seat on the state’s highest court. Following a day of interviewing 12 applicants, the commission selected Joel […]

‘How do you hide five grizzly bears?’

BY: - January 9, 2020

Many animals from the now-closed Cricket Hollow zoo were unaccounted for when animal-welfare groups arrived to relocate them. “It was apparent that the lion’s share of the animals – no pun intended – were missing when we first arrived there,” said Amanda Howell, an attorney for the Animal Legal Defense Fund.

Interviews for Supreme Court justice applicants to begin

BY: - January 8, 2020

The State Judicial Nominating Commission is preparing to interview applicants and help select who will be the next justice on the Iowa Supreme Court — a process that is being closely watched for its potential to influence the court’s future rulings on controversial issues like abortion and collective bargaining.  Iowa Supreme Court Chief Justice Mark […]

Iowa AG joins petition seeking Supreme Court review of ACA ruling

BY: - January 7, 2020

Miller is joining the nationwide request from 20 other governors and attorneys general to review the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals’ decision on Dec. 18 that upheld the ACA’s individual mandate as unconstitutional.