News
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 […]
Adjutant general: Iowa Guard looking at biggest deployment in a decade
Newly appointed Iowa Adjutant General Benjamin Corell told state lawmakers during his first address to the Legislature that the Iowa National Guard is getting ready for its biggest deployment in a decade. To prepare, the guard is looking for partners in and out of the federal government to boost its technical training, especially in cybersecurity. […]
Partnership plans push for DM airport terminal expansion
The Greater Des Moines Partnership, Central Iowa’s main economic development group, has announced it will push for state government and other assistance for a proposed $200 million overhaul of the Des Moines International Airport. That project would include a new terminal airport managers say is needed because the current facility, built in 1948, is too […]
USCMA gets final Senate approval, awaits president’s signature
The U.S. Senate overwhelmingly approved the U.S.-Canada-Mexico Agreement Thursday, sending the historic pact to President Trump for his signature. The agreement, which replaces the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) but has some similarities to it, is big news in Iowa. Canada and Mexico are the top markets for Iowa goods and commodities. Gov. Kim […]
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 […]
Iowans praise signing of initial China deal
Reaction from Iowa on President Trump’s signing of the initial trade deal with China and was quick and mostly positive, with a dose of time-will-tell. The phase one deal includes a promise from China that it will double its purchases from U.S. farmers in the first year, CNN reported. China is one of the largest […]
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 […]
Iowa moments relatively sparse in only Hawkeye State debate
There were only a few genuine Iowa moments in the Democratic presidential debate, even though it was broadcast from Des Moines less than three weeks from the Feb. 3 Iowa caucuses. Those moments mostly came during a round of questions on trade, raised by moderator Brianne Pfannenstiel, chief political reporter for The Des Moines Register. […]
Mental health advocates express concern over Reynolds’ plan
Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds wants to use a portion of her proposed 1-cent sales tax increase to help pay for some of the mental health costs now shouldered by the counties. Reynolds would increase the statewide sales tax from 5 percent to 6 percent — Iowa also allows local governments to impose a 1 percent […]
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 […]