Justice
State asks Supreme Court to throw out suit over Raccoon River pollution
A fight over the condition of the Raccoon River has spilled into the Iowa Supreme Court. On one side are Des Moines-based Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement and the national nonprofit Food & Water Watch. In a lawsuit filed in March 2019, they contend the state has failed to protect and restore the Raccoon River, […]
Is this a slot machine or a game of skill?
A legal battle is heating up over the way Iowa defines casino-style “amusement devices” found in taverns across the state. Electronic games that look like slot machines are strictly regulated in Iowa, with restrictions on prizes and player age limits. But the difference between those devices and the less-regulated games of skill commonly found at […]
Acting Iowa Supreme Court Justice David Wiggins notes challenges for rural courts
As Iowa’s rural courthouses continue to shrink and leave people in those counties with less access to services, the Iowa Judicial Branch is requesting more funding from the Legislature to help fill the gap. In 2019, 29 rural counties were staffed with two or fewer clerks, according to the Iowa Judicial Branch. That creates challenges […]
Fired fraud investigator claims she was ‘blacklisted’ by state
A fired Medicaid-fraud investigator is suing the state of Iowa claiming she was “blacklisted” after complaining about the need for improved methods of preventing fraud. Wendy Dishman, who worked for the Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals from July 2010 through May 2015, was the administrator of the department’s Medicaid investigations division. In 2014, Dishman […]
Legislators call governor’s agenda ‘bold’ but stop short of pledging passage
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
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
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?
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
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?’
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
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
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.