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Republicans to renew death penalty debate at Statehouse
Iowa lawmakers could begin as early as next week to begin work on Republicans’ latest effort to reinstate the death penalty in Iowa. State Sen. Brad Zaun has reintroduced a bill into the Senate Judiciary Committee that could bring back the death penalty in Iowa “for murder in the first degree” when it “involve[es] kidnapping […]
Which party controls Congress? It could be days or weeks before we know
WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden and Democrats exulted Wednesday in outperforming expectations in the midterm elections, even as vote-counting was still in progress and control of both chambers of Congress remained unknown. The U.S. Senate will go to the winner of two of the last three races where party control is still in doubt in […]
Federal judge upholds U.S. House Republicans’ fines for dodging metal detectors
A federal judge has thrown out a lawsuit from three U.S. House Republicans challenging fines they incurred for violating a post-Jan. 6 requirement that members pass through metal detectors before coming to the House floor. U.S. District Judge Timothy J. Kelly on Monday dismissed the suit brought by Reps. Andrew Clyde of Georgia, Lloyd Smucker […]
U.S. House Democrats file brief in college affirmative action case
WASHINGTON — U.S. House Education and Labor Committee Chairman Bobby Scott of Virginia has filed a brief along with 64 other House Democrats urging the Supreme Court to uphold the role that race plays in college admission policies at Harvard University and the University of North Carolina. “Narrowly tailored admissions policies that recognize race as one criterion — out […]
Inflation exacts a heavier toll on rural Americans than on urban households
Barbara Kalbach is a fourth-generation family farmer and a registered nurse from Dexter, Iowa, and she commutes 17 miles every time she needs to go to work, the store or the doctor. The Kalbachs, along with other rural households, are experiencing a greater strain on their disposable income than their urban counterparts due to inflation. […]
Brother and sister recount ‘very traumatizing’ Amtrak derailment in Missouri
By Lily O’Shea Becker A mother aboard a train derailment in Mendon, Missouri, on Monday climbed on top of the wreckage and went from train car to train car, yelling into each window while searching for her three children, according to her son, Dax McDonald. The Amtrak train was traveling from Los Angeles to Chicago […]
D.C. Dispatch: Iowa’s representatives join on legislation to bolster biofuels
Iowa’s federal representatives helped introduce and pass a legislative package this week aimed at controlling rising food and gas prices, that includes expanded ethanol sales. The Lower Food and Fuel Cost Act, which contains five bills, passed the House with bipartisan support Thursday. Reps. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, Randy Feenstra and Ashley Hinson introduced an act within […]
U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley wins primary race for re-election bid
U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley won his Republican primary Tuesday against State Sen. Jim Carlin, R-Sioux City, in Iowa’s June 7 election. The Associated Press called Grassley’s race at 8:27 p.m. He earned 73.5% of votes counted. Grassley, 88, has served as a senator representing Iowa since 1981, and has won seven re-election campaigns over the […]
Midwest states vary in how they handle risk of lead in venison donated to food banks
HIAWATHA, Iowa – A walk-in freezer about two stories high sits in one corner of a warehouse owned by a food bank called Hawkeye Area Community Action Program Inc. Chris Ackman, the food bank’s communication manager, points to the shelving racks where any donated venison the organization receives is typically stored. Known as the Help […]
Democrats from the West push update of 150-year-old federal mining law
Democrats in Congress are hoping to overhaul the nation’s 150-year-old system for mining the elements needed for battery manufacturing, as high gas prices and Russia’s war in Ukraine underline the need to transition from oil and gas to renewable energy sources. U.S. House Natural Resources Chairman Raúl Grijalva of Arizona and U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich […]
Three central Iowa Walgreens stores sanctioned by pharmacy board
Three central Iowa Walgreens stores have been sanctioned by the Iowa Board of Pharmacy for regulatory violations related to hiring practices. The Walgreens store at 12753 University Ave., Clive, has been fined $1,500 for operating for 12 days last spring without a designated pharmacist in charge. With the hiring of a new pharmacist in charge, […]
School nurse who had sex with student denied license reinstatement
The Iowa Board of Nursing has refused to reinstate the license of a school nurse convicted of having sex with a 16-year-old student. According to court records, Angela Beik of Marion was convicted of sexual exploitation by a school employee in 2019 and was ordered to serve a 180-day jail sentence, pay a $625 fine, […]