A federal judge has extended his order allowing Iowa schools to require that students and staff wear masks. The new order preventing enforcement of the state law banning mask mandates in schools lasts until October 11. The judge's original restraining order was issued September 13 and, since … [Read more...]
Iowa non-profit invested in Tony award-winning musical
The private non-profit group that manages the Des Moines Civic Center was an investor in the play that has won the Tony Award for Best Musical. Des Moines Performing Arts is part of the Independent Presenters Network, which invested in the musical "Moulin Rouge!" The non-profit began investing in … [Read more...]
Bishop calls on churches to review accounting practices after embezzlement at Iowa church
The bishop for the Iowa Conference of the United Methodist Church is urging congregations to review their safeguards against embezzlement and fraud after a bookkeeper pleaded guilty to stealing $274,000 from a Mason City church. Melissa Noland has been sentenced to 27 months in prison and ordered … [Read more...]
Woman order to repay $274,000 she stole from Iowa church
A woman who pleaded guilty to stealing more than a quarter of a million dollars from a northern Iowa church has been sentenced to more than two years in federal prison. Forty-seven-year-old Melissa Noland was the bookkeeper for the First United Methodist Church in Mason City for five years, until … [Read more...]
Iowa House Speaker says redistricting likely only bill up for October 5 vote
House Speaker Pat Grassley suggests Plan 1 outlining new congressional and legislative district borders will be the sole focus of the October 5 special legislative session -- and no other bills with be voted upon. Grassley, a Republican from New Hartford, says making a decision to vote "yes" or … [Read more...]
Reynolds urging Republicans to focus on 2021 elections
Governor Kim Reynolds is urging her fellow Republicans to vote in the upcoming city council and school board elections. "Please, please, please don't forget about the elections this November," Reynolds said Saturday night at a fundraiser for her re-election campaign. "This pandemic has taught … [Read more...]
As Grassley runs for 8th term, GOP challenger says age an issue
Republican Chuck Grassley announced at 4 a.m. today on Twitter that he will seek an 8th term in the U.S. Senate. Grassley posted a short video a few hours later, after sunrise. "Hey there," Grassley said. "I'm running for reelection. It's the right thing to do for Iowa." Grassley has said he's … [Read more...]
Grassley announces he’ll seek 8th term in U.S. Senate
U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley announced at 4 o'clock this morning that he is running for re-election. Grassley's campaign account on Twitter features a GIF of the Senator running, plus a photo of Grassley in a corn field, with a sentence quoting Grassley as saying he "has a lot more to do, for … [Read more...]
As Reynolds holds 2021 fundraiser, two Democrats in field as potential 2022 challengers
Republican Governor Kim Reynolds confirmed in June that she plans to seek reelection in 2022, but she does not intend to use her campaign fundraiser tomorrow to formally kick off her bid for a second full term. Two Democrats have been actively campaigning for the chance to challenge … [Read more...]
Iowa’s U.S. House delegation backs $1 billion for Israel’s Iron Dome
All four members of Iowa's congressional delegation have voted to send Israel $1 billion for its "Iron Dome" missile-defense system. Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks, a Republican from Ottumwa, was among the Republicans who spoke on the House floor during debate. "Israel has long been a key … [Read more...]