Grassley Says He Won’t Oppose GOP Push For A Supreme Court Vote

In a written statement issued late in the day Monday, Grassley indicated he will not oppose GOP efforts to confirm a nominee.

COVID-19 Outbreaks Continue To Climb In Iowa Nursing Homes

The number of COVID-19 outbreaks and infections is continuing to climb in Iowa nursing homes, nearly doubling the levels set in July.

Iowa Gets A "B" For Its State Finances

Iowa has a Taxpayer Surplus of $1,500

State Orders Bars And Some Restaurants To Complete New COVID-19 Checklist

The Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Division is requiring licensees to complete a COVID-19 compliance checklist.

Reynolds Extends COVID-19 Proclamation, Again Imposing No Mask Mandate

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds signed a new proclamation extending her Public Health Disaster Emergency declaration and keeping bars closed.

Iowa Political Leaders Respond To News Of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg’s Death

Iowa political leaders and candidates of both parties offered condolences Friday evening after news of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg’s death.

Trump Says He’ll Announce Supreme Court Pick By Friday Or Saturday

President Donald Trump said Monday that he would announce a replacement for the late U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

Iowa’s COVID-19 Numbers Trend Upward As Des Moines School District Weighs Options

An additional 1,571 new cases of COVID-19 were reported Friday and Saturday in Iowa, along with one death.

Out Of 962 Reports Of Inadequate Virus Control In Restaurants, The State Has Issued One Warning

The state agency that helps oversee Iowa restaurants has fielded almost 1,000 complaints about COVID-19 mitigation efforts.

Iowans Condemn Tweet Citing Ernst’s Status As An Abuse Survivor

Conservatives and politicians on Twitter immediately condemned the tweet.

Iowa’s Unemployment Rate Falls To 6%

Iowa’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate fell to 6% in August as the recovery from the height of the pandemic continued.

Public Health: Iowa’s Main COVID-19 Testing Lab Is Being Stretched By Federal Requirements

New COVID-19 testing requirements will leave the State Hygienic Lab unable to provide or process routine COVID-19 tests.

Active COVID-19 Outbreaks In Iowa Nursing Homes Continue To Grow

Thirteen more reportedly died of COVID-19, while the number of active outbreaks in Iowa nursing homes increased by more than 75% from July.

Second State Panel Approves $100 Million Natural Resources Budget

The state would increase spending on lake restorations, water trails and park improvements as part of a proposed 2021-22 budget.

Reynolds Reopens Bars In Four Counties, But Not Story And Johnson

Reynolds will allow bars in four Iowa counties to reopen at 5 p.m. Wednesday when she lifts an order related to earlier spikes in COVID-19.

Poll: More Older Iowans Plan On Voting Absentee For General Election

More Iowans over 50 are planning on voting early for the upcoming general election compared to 2016, according to a poll released by AARP.

Lawsuit: Iowa Court Debt Collected Illegally, With Millions Routed To Private Firm

The lawsuit also alleges that Iowans in rural areas of the state are at a financial disadvantage when it comes to fees.

Iowa Lawmakers Blast USDSA Secretary After Reports Of Southern Advantage In Trade-Deal Aid Payments

Iowa politicians from both parties blasted the U.S. Department of Agriculture after it reportedly favored Southern states in 2019.

Reynolds Defends Use Of Federal Virus-Relief Dollars For State Salaries

Reynolds said it is “very clear” that federal CARES Act dollars can be used for salaries.

Counties May Get Extra Time To Prepare For The Counting Of Absentee Ballots

The Iowa Secretary of State’s Office expects that on election night, Iowans will know who carried the state in the presidential contest.

Iowa Reports 1,276 Positive COVID-19 Cases Over Weekend, NYT Data Show

Iowans tested positive for 1,276 new COVID-19 cases and four more Iowans died over the weekend, according to the New York Times.

Bush Administration Ethics Lawyer Slams Hiring Of Dejoy As Postmaster

A top ethics lawyer to President George W. Bush on Monday decried Louis DeJoy’s appointment to postmaster general.

State: Iowa’s Economy Sees First Positive Signs Since Pandemic Started

Iowa’s economy in July showed some of its first signs of positive movement since the coronavirus pandemic started.

State Releases Heavily Redacted COVID-19 Document In Response To Record Request

The department says it is still working on a request for 1,394 email exchanges between the state medical director and the governor’s office.

County Auditors Weigh In On Absentee-Voting Case As Republicans Try To Intervene

The Iowa State Association of County Auditors is warning the state faces a “dire” situation that could lead to errors in the voting process.

Transgender Students From Florida, Virginia Score Victories In Landmark Lawsuits

The cases center around Adams and Gavin Grimm of Virginia, who also went to court after he was barred from his high school boys bathroom.

Branstad, Leaving ‘Tough Job’ As Ambassador; Allies Praise Him For Calm, AG-Friendly Diplomacy

News spread early Monday Iowa time that Branstad, 73, Iowa’s longest-serving governor, will step down as ambassador in October.

Reynolds Defends DHS’ Efforts To Protect Iowa Children

Reynolds said she’s not sure why the state committee tasked with reviewing child deaths in Iowa hasn’t convened in 20 years.

Miller-Meeks: Increase In Fuel Tax Could Pay For Infrastructure

GOP congressional candidate Mariannette Miller-Meeks on Thursday said her top priority would be an infrastructure bill.

DNR Budget Calls For Increases For Lake Restoration, Water Trails

The Iowa Natural Resource Commission endorsed a mostly status quo budget that would seek more money for lake restoration and water trails.

White House: Iowa Is In The Top 10 For Highest COVID-19 Positivity Rate In The Country

Iowa has the sixth-highest COVID-19 positivity rate and the third-highest number of new infections per capita in the country.

COVID-Related Complaints Against Iowa Bars Are Up More Than 500%

Complaints from Iowans about bars and restaurants failing to impose COVID-19 mitigation measures have increased five-fold in recent weeks.

Most Iowa Police Not Issuing Citations In Cities With Mask Ordinances

It’s unclear whether any law enforcement agency has actually filed any citations or done enforcement so far.

Senate GOP Emergency Relief Plan Leaves Out Direct Aid To States

Senate Republicans unveiled their latest coronavirus relief proposal Tuesday but were met with swift objections from Democrats.

Axne, Young Trade Barbs Over Ads On Health Care, Allegiance To Party Leaders

The political rematch between Democratic Rep. Cindy Axne and the man she unseated two years ago, Republican David Young, has heated up.

NYT: Meat Plants Recorded Iowa’s Biggest COVID-19 Clusters

The Tyson Foods meatpacking plant in Waterloo had Iowa’s biggest cluster of COVID-19 cases since March, the New York Times reported.

Report: DHS Discouraged Complaints, Then Failed To Investigate Sabrina Ray’s Death

The Iowa Office of Ombudsman says the state agency tasked with protecting Iowa’s children wrongly rejected child-abuse reports.

State Parks See 11.1% Jump In Visits As COVID-Weary Iowans Head Outdoors

Through July 31, park-goers had logged 10,039,047 visits to the 61 state parks. That’s up 11.1% from the same period a year ago.

For Most, The Derecho Lasted 30 Minutes. But It Will Take Years For Iowa To Fully Recover.

Communities dealing with heavy damage are finishing up the most immediate recovery needs, such as ensuring everyone has shelter.

Study: Without More Aid, Iowa’s Most Vulnerable Will Continue To Feel Economic Pains

Without more aid, such as extended unemployment insurance or stimulus money, these Iowans are expected to continue struggling.