A Republican congressman from Texas has put a halt to plans to pass a disaster relief package in the U.S. House today. The $19 billion package won approval in the Republican-led Senate Thursday on an 85-8 vote and President Trump tweeted that it has his "total approval." House leaders planned to … [Read more...]
Feds approve design for courthouse construction in controversial Des Moines spot
Federal officials have approved the design for a new federal courthouse on a river bank in downtown Des Moines. Some city leaders have been fighting the plan, saying the courthouse will look like a prison and the spot federal officials picked for construction is a prime location for commercial … [Read more...]
AAA survey shows gas selling lower, at $2.66 per gallon in Iowa
AAA predicts a three-and-a-half percent increase in travel volume this Memorial Day weekend, sparked -- perhaps -- by lower gas prices. AAA's fuel price survey indicates the average price today for regular unleaded gasoline is $2.66 a gallon in Iowa. That's 20 cents less than it was during the … [Read more...]
Petitioners urging Iowa to expand medical marijuana program
More than 1,500 Iowans have signed a petition urging Governor Kim Reynold to sign a bill that expands the state's medical marijuana program. Paul Nye of Ankeny was in the group that delivered the petitions to the governor's office "We want to send the message that Iowans are ready," Nye said. … [Read more...]
Iowa governor signs GOP property tax ‘transparency’ bill
Republican Governor Kim Reynolds has signed a bill into law that makes changes in how cities and counties set budgets and raise property taxes. The bill was a priority for Republican House Speaker Linda Upmeyer of Clear Lake. "Just making sure that the community has a good voice and they aren't … [Read more...]
Iowa ag secretary says farmers need second trade assistance package
The Trump Administration has announced another round of payments for farmers, to compensate for lower commodity prices amid trade tensions with China. IOWA Agriculture Secretary Mike Naig said it's needed, because corn and soybean prices are below the cost of producing a crop. "It does allow you … [Read more...]
Federal grand jury indicts 5 for sex trafficking in Iowa
Five eastern Iowa men have been charged with sex trafficking, often in the Johnson County area. Twenty-one-year-old Isaiah Devon Patterson is accused of using advertising to sell sex with a minor girl. Twenty-five-year-old Arrion Marcus West is accused of forcing two minors to have sex for money. … [Read more...]
Floodplain maps being updated in nearly half of Iowa
State officials got a grant in 2016 to update floodplain maps for 47 Iowa counties and they're about halfway through the project. Residents will be able to see the proposed updates to maps for Linn County tonight at an open house at the City Services Center in Cedar Rapids. Jason Conn of the Iowa … [Read more...]
Miller says he’s struck good compromise with Reynolds over AG’s authority
Attorney General Tom Miller, a Democrat, today said the agreement he's just made with Republican Governor Kim Reynolds means it's "pretty unlikely" he'll sign the State of Iowa onto multi-state lawsuits challenging Trump Administration policies. "There are 26 other Democratic A.G.s to carry on … [Read more...]
Calls for investigation of Catholic Church, better laws for victims of child sex abuse
Two men who say they were abused by priests joined the Iowa Senate's Democratic leader today in calling on Iowa lawmakers to do more for victims of child sex abuse. Senator Janet Petersen, a Democrat from Des Moines, said the state's attorney general should investigate the Catholic Church. … [Read more...]