Advocates are raising concerns about regulatory changes that would increase staff-to-children ratios in Iowa child care centers. House Republicans have drafted a plan to let one employee oversee up to eight two-year-olds. The president of the Iowa Child Care Coalition says it would lead to more … [Read more...]
State roadways all listed with normal winter driving conditions
Travel on the state's roadways is back to what you'd normally expect in January after the big weekend storm that dumped more than one foot of snow in some areas. DOT winter operations administrator, Craig Bargfrede says clearing the snow was not easy as it started out wet and then froze. "We … [Read more...]
Special MLK choir performance planned in Sioux City
A Sioux City church is hosting an event to promote solidarity and equity through song tonight. In the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day tradition, a choir will sing songs of healing to honor his legacy. NAACP local chapter vice president Treyla Lee says the event is about uniting to recognize … [Read more...]
Iowa Supreme Court rules on new law for parent’s rights in guardianship cases
The Iowa Supreme Court rules parents must be given preference in regaining custody of their kids who have been in the custody of guardians. The ruling clarifies a new law -- and involved a Story County woman who was 16 when she had the child and agreed to guardianship by the child's grandparents … [Read more...]
State officials organize online observance of 2022 MLK Day
Current and former members of the Iowa Commission on the Status of African Americans are looking toward the future on this Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday. Former commission member Negus Sankofa Imhotep is a workforce coordinator and Des Moines Public Schools coordinator for Urban Dreams, an … [Read more...]
New studies break down socioeconomic impact of Iowa casinos
Socioeconomic studies conducted for the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission show some types of crimes do increase in casino communities -- but overall those communities aren't less safe. Spectrum Gaming Group managing director, Michael Pollock, says you have to look very closely at the crime … [Read more...]
Founder expects to get federal funds for proposed Council Bluffs beef plant
A regional cattle processing plant that's planned for the Council Bluffs area is expected to benefit from the Biden administration's just-announced Meat and Poultry Supply Chain Action Plan. Chad Tentinger, the founder of Cattlemen’s Heritage, says the massive facility will get a financial boost … [Read more...]
House GOP proposes exempting retirement income on 2022 tax form
House Republicans have introduced a bill to eliminate the state income tax on retirement income from pensions, IRAs and 401(k)s. Republican House Speaker Pat Grassley suggests it might prompt some older Iowans to reconsider relocating or living more than half the year in another state that … [Read more...]
Reynolds says state should invest in carbon capture research
Governor Kim Reynolds says carbon pipelines are private sector projects and she does not support direct state investment in any of the pipelines that are proposed. During her Condition of the State address last week, Reynolds called for investment in "carbon capture solutions sustain and build on … [Read more...]
Weather adding to air travel uncertainty
Even with the holidays well behind us, the Omicron variant of COVID-19 is continuing to impact air travel, causing delays and cancellations at airports in Iowa and around the country. Kyle Potter, the executive editor of Thrifty Traveler-dot-com, says recent bouts with wintery weather are only … [Read more...]