Iowa could be joining the swarm of 16 other states that have declared one of nature's colonizers as an official state symbol. "Iowa is one of two states without an official state insect," Senator Chris Cournoyer of Le Claire said today. She is among the members of a Senate Committee who've … [Read more...]
Iowa Senate panel advances Medicaid work requirement
Six of seven Republicans on an Iowa Senate committee have endorsed a plan to require more of the Iowans getting health care benefits through Medicaid to work or volunteer in their community. "Able-bodied Iowans should work if they're receiving public benefits," Senator Jason Schultz, a Republican … [Read more...]
Board of Education turns down request for a high school in Hamburg
The State Board of Education today voted unanimously against a plan to bring back a high school in Hamburg. Superintendent Mike Wells proposed a plan to resurrect high school classes under a career academy format, in which students would receive a certificate for special skills, in addition to … [Read more...]
Schools oppose Iowa law on pay for college athletes
College athletes could earn money from endorsement deals under a bill that's now eligible for debate in the Iowa House. Representative Ras Smith of Waterloo says some players struggle as their universities reap the benefits from big-time college sports like football. "While people may be able to … [Read more...]
House abandons plan to let Iowa utilities charge solar panel fees
A bill that would have allowed utilities to charge extra fees to Iowans with solar panels has been changed to simply authorize a study of solar power in the state. The original version passed the Iowa Senate last year, but couldn't get enough votes in the House. A compromise that has emerged … [Read more...]
Group to build beds for kids in Hopkinton area
A nonprofit group that provides beds to kids who need them is launching an effort in northeast Iowa's Delaware County, the fifth chapter in the state. Keith Kramer is heading up the new branch of "Sleep in Heavenly Peace," based in Hopkinton. "What it's about is to make sure no children in our … [Read more...]
Woodbury County hoping to train EMS volunteers for rural areas
Woodbury County is training volunteers to help handle emergency service calls in rural areas of the county. Emergency Services Director, Gary Brown, says they have one trained and he would like a half dozen. "We're not looking at going over six. We want to be able to focus on a very small group … [Read more...]
Man driving in southeast Iowa dies after deer crashes into car
An unfortunate turn of events on a southeast Iowa highway led to the death of a North English man Wednesday night in Keokuk County. According to the Iowa State Patrol, a 2016 Toyota Camry was driving eastbound on Highway 92, west of Sigourney, when a deer entered the roadway from the north ditch … [Read more...]
Wildlife Service taking comments on plans to help rusty patched bumblebee
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is asking for public comment from Iowans and others on a plan to save the rusty patched bumble bee, the first species of bee to be listed as endangered. Agency spokeswoman Georgia Parham says the restoration plan has three main parts, the first of which is to … [Read more...]
Iowa Senate panel proposes restrictions on felon voting rights
All but one member of a Senate committee have voted to require paroled felons to prove they've repaid restitution to victims before they'd get their voting rights restored. The bill's requirements would kick in *IF* Iowa voters eventually approve an amendment to the state constitution that … [Read more...]