News
Pentagon to halt use of firefighting foam that contains PFAS as cleanup costs mount
WASHINGTON — Battered by years of criticism from U.S. lawmakers and environmental advocates, the Department of Defense will stop purchasing PFAS-containing firefighting foam later this year and phase it out entirely in 2024. The replacement for Aqueous Film Forming Foam has yet to be determined, and advocates are frustrated it’s taken so long to halt […]
‘He’s going to die:’ Care facility fined $10,000 after resident’s death
A western Iowa care facility for people with disabilities has been fined $10,000 for contributing to the death of a resident. Larry Overturf, 65, had a moderate intellectual disability and had lived at Courage Homes, a 45-bed care facility in Sioux City, for three years prior to his death in December 2022. State inspection records […]
Massive state government reorganization awaits Reynolds’ signature
Another one of Gov. Kim Reynolds’ priorities for the 2023 legislative session made it to the finish line Wednesday as the House passed her government reorganization bill. The House passed Senate File 514 on a 58-39 vote. It would reduce the number of executive-level agencies from 37 to 16. Reynolds is expected to sign it […]
Pipeline permit hearing will be held during harvest
The initial weeks of a permit hearing for Summit Carbon Solutions’ proposed carbon dioxide pipeline will take place during this fall’s harvest, despite the objections of farmers who want to attend. “These are the days and times,” said Geri Huser, chairperson of the three-member Iowa Utilities Board, which will decide whether to approve Summit’s permit. […]
U.S. Senate leader calls for safety audit into all major railroads after Ohio derailment
U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer called Wednesday for the federal authority responsible for determining the causes of transportation casualties to investigate the safety culture at all major North American freight railroads. Following the Feb. 3 Norfolk Southern derailment that caused a toxic chemical spill in East Palestine, Ohio, Schumer, a New York Democrat, said […]
Senate panel approves bill aimed at fully eliminating Iowa income tax
The Senate Ways and Means committee advanced legislation Wednesday to reduce and eventually eliminate Iowa’s income tax. Changes to Iowa’s income tax rates are already underway through laws signed in 2018 and 2022, moving to a single rate of 3.9% by 2026. Senate Study Bill 1126 proposes further cuts, lowering Iowa’s income tax to a […]
Federal government approves $31 billion railroad merger
The federal Surface Transportation Board has approved the $31 billion merger between Canadian Pacific and Kansas City Southern railroads, saying Wednesday the combination will reduce travel time, incentivize investment and enhance efficiency while providing safety and environmental benefits. The STB said that while approving the merger, it also is imposing a number of conditions and […]
Iowa COVID hospitalizations decline after a monthlong upward trend
Those who are infected by the coronavirus and are receiving inpatient treatment at Iowa hospitals declined about 7% last week as similar decreases in infections were noted by state health officials. That is a retreat from a modest, monthlong upward trend of reported infections and hospitalizations. About 149 infected people were hospitalized on any given […]
Ambulance-driving EMT fired after three off-duty drunken driving arrests
An Iowa emergency medical technician who drove ambulances, fired for a history of drunken driving arrests, is not entitled to unemployment benefits, a state fact-finder has ruled. Despite two drunken-driving convictions and one recent drunken driving arrest, Derek Ealy’s state license as an emergency medical services provider remains in good standing with no history of […]
Vice President Kamala Harris heads to Iowa for ‘reproductive rights’ event
As Republican presidential hopefuls begin to frequent the Iowa caucus trail, Vice President Kamala Harris is planning an event Thursday in Des Moines on reproductive health care. Harris — who dropped out of the 2020 Democratic presidential race before the Iowa caucuses — will hold an event with Des Moines area leaders on “the fight […]
South Dakota congressman advocates expansion of work requirements for federal food aid
WASHINGTON — Republican South Dakota Rep. Dusty Johnson introduced a bill Tuesday aimed at expanding work requirements for federal nutrition aid, reigniting a perennial conflict over how Congress navigates both the farm bill and federal spending. “Work is the best pathway out of poverty,” Johnson, who in his home state has talked about growing up […]
Bill would make permanent last year’s changes to ‘Brady-Giglio’ law
Iowa House members unanimously passed legislation Tuesday disposing of the sunset provision on recent changes made to the state dealing with “Brady-Giglio lists” — documents kept by prosecutors of law enforcement officers whose credibility is in question. House File 631 removes the July 1, 2023, repeal that included in a measure signed into law by Gov. […]