Why Are So Many People Lighting Off Fireworks?

The number of fireworks being lit off at night is out of control this year.

‘Torture’ Case Could Cost Iowa Taxpayers $5 Million In Legal Fees

Judge Stephanie Rose held the state liable for violating the constitutional rights of children at the school.

Money Talks: Big Business, Political Strategy And Corporate Involvement In U.S. State Politics

Political spending by corporations is big business.

Frederick Douglass: What To The Slave Is The Fourth Of July?

Editor’s note: On Independence Day marked by shifts in our conversation about racial justice, we bring you the words of Frederick Douglass.

House Dems Pass Massive Infrastructure Bill; GOP Calls It ‘Nonsense’

The House cleared a massive $1.5 trillion package Wednesday.

State Guidelines Do Not Recommend Requiring Face Masks At Iowa Schools

The department suggests schools do not require face protection for staff and students and suggests allowing them as a personal choice.

Reynolds Extends COVID-19 Social Distancing Rules; Reopens Youth Sports

Iowans can return to youth sporting events but they won’t be able to return their bottles and cans to the grocery store.

Ernst, Greenfield Spar Over Which Candidate Best Supports Ethanol, Agriculture

The Ernst supporters included ethanol representatives, Iowa Agriculture Mike Naig and the president of the Iowa Pork Producers Association.

U.S. House Infrastructure Plans Could Benefit Rural Iowa, Democrats Say

Iowa Democrats say the time is right to increase spending on long-stalled efforts to increase infrastructure spending.

Jobless Benefits Ceiling To Be Raised Next Week

Newly unemployed Iowans and those recently injured on the job will qualify for an increase in their maximum weekly benefits.

Ernst, Grassley Join Flared-Up Fight Over Ethanol

Backers of Iowa’s ethanol industry are fighting a federal government effort to exempt more small refineries from buying the corn-based fuel.

Four Iowa Law Enforcement Agencies Among Those Hit By ‘Blue Leaks’ Hack

The 269 gigabytes of data, or 1 million documents, from the FBI and other law enforcement agencies were stolen on June 19.

West Bend Mutual Donates to 10 Iowa Organizations

10 organizations in Iowa will receive donations for COVID-19 relief efforts through giving program with independent agents

Over 100,000 Iowans Have Now Been Tested For Covid-19

The number of Iowans tested for COVID-19 has surpassed 100,000, with just over 3,900 test results reported on Sunday.

Iowa DOT Seeks Comments On Mass Transit Plan

The Iowa Department of Transportation is seeking comments on its new long-range mass transit plan.

Reynolds Considers Self-Isolating After Washington D.C. Trip

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds is considering self-isolating after she was possibly exposed to COVID-19 during her trip to Washington D.C.

Test Iowa Not Yet Reaching Target Of 3,000 Daily Tests

After a dip in testing numbers reported Saturday, the number of tests reported on Sunday was 2,696.

Iowa Churches Weigh Decisions On Reopening

Some have turned to online services with success, but are weighing when they can reopen their sanctuaries safely.

Iowa Legislative Leaders Pledge Transparency, Efficiency When Session Resumes

Legislative leaders on Wednesday pledged transparency and efficiency for the legislative process whenever the Legislature returns.

After First Week Of Online Classes, Many Iowa Students Stay Offline

Some Iowa schools are reporting few as half of their students participated in school work during the first week of online classes.

Iowa State Awards $7M In Grants For New Transit Buses

The Iowa Transportation Commission on Tuesday approved $7 million in grants for 20 transit systems to buy a combined 73 replacement buses.

West Bend to Offer COVID-19 Relief

West Bend offers support to policyholders, associates and community

Iowa Prison Inmates Make Their Own Face Masks To Mitigate Spread Of Coronavirus

The masks are being produced by Iowa Prison Industries, a work training program, and are not considered medical equipment.

Voting By Mail Gains Traction In Iowa, But Advocates Warn It’s Not ‘A Panacea’

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds said Thursday she is not yet considering delaying the June 2 primary election or suspending in-person voting.

Iowa Agency To Begin Paying CARES Act Benefits

Iowa Workforce Development has set up systems to distribute federal COVID-19 aid to workers, including an extra $600 a week in unemployment.

Iowa Reports 8 More Coronavirus Deaths; 83 New Positive Cases

Eight more Iowans with COVID-19 have died and another 83 have tested positive, Iowa Department of Public Health reported Sunday.

Governor Reynolds Defends Temporary Ban On Surgical Abortions

Gov. Reynolds defended her decision to include surgical abortions in her order to suspend “non-essential” and elective medical procedures.

Coronavirus Suspended Bottle Returns; Iowa Grocers Want To Make That Permanent

Iowa grocers continue to support proposed legislation to scrap or overhaul the bottle bill with its familiar nickel per container deposit.

As Coronvirus Hits Iowa Nursing Homes, Feds Suspend Fines And Penalties

The new guidelines will remain in place for at least the next two weeks.

Iowa National Guard Adds 40 Soldiers To Coronavirus Response

The deployment by the Iowa City-based 67th Troop Command brought the total number of soldiers and airmen deployed on the missions to 90.

Lawsuit: Iowa’s Biggest Credit Union Is Charging Improper Fees

Iowa’s largest credit union is facing a potential class-action lawsuit alleging it collected millions of dollars in improper overdraft fees.

Iowa National Guard Delivers Medical Supplies During Coronavirus

The Iowa National Guard has 42 service members activated during the coronavirus response.

Census Bureau: Iowans’ Response Rate Nears 30%

Iowa’s response rate to the U.S. Census is nearing 30%, ahead of the national average.

Iowa Lawmakers Brace For Coronavirus Impacts: ‘I Hope We Are All Wrong’

Finkenauer and the other members of Iowa’s congressional delegation scrambled this week to respond to the virus.

Iowa’s Prisons Will Accelerate Release Of Approved Inmates To Mitigate Coronavirus

For inmates in Iowa’s jail and prisons, social distancing is not an option.

Iowa Extends Deadline For Women’s Hall Of Fame, Wilson Medal Nominations

Because of the COVID-19 outbreak, the state has extended the deadline to May 1 for nominations for the Iowa Women’s Hall of Fame.

Iowa Government Meetings Must Stay Open During Virus Outbreak

The Iowa Public Information Board provided advice on how to hold a meeting electronically.

Iowa Loses 900 Nonfarm Jobs; Unemployment Holds At 2.8%

Iowa businesses saw a net loss of 900 jobs in January, the third straight month of cuts in nonfarm employment.

Iowa Adds 2 New Positive COIVE-19 Cases For A Total Of 16

Both are adults between the ages of 61 and 80; one is from Johnson County and the other is from Carroll County.

Gov. Kim Reynolds Names New Department Of Education Director

The previous director, Ryan Wise, announced in December he was resigning from his position no later than June 30.