Local, state, and federal law enforcement officials say they are monitoring potential threats in Iowa leading up to inauguration day. Following the violence at the U.S. Capitol, the FBI has warned of plans for armed protests at all 50 state capitols. "Currently we are not seeing any concrete … [Read more...]
Congresswoman Axne favors Biden pandemic relief plan, Hinson not ruling out a ‘yes’
Congresswoman Cindy Axne of West Des Moines, the only Democrat in Iowa's congressional delegation, says she'll "absolutely" vote for the $1.9 trillion pandemic relief plan President-elect Joe Biden unveiled last night. "The American public needs this more than ever," Axne said this morning, "and … [Read more...]
Former House Speaker Upmeyer to become Iowa GOP co-chair
The former speaker of the Iowa House who did not seek re-election in 2020 will be helping the Iowa Republican Party to try to win elections statewide in 2022. Party leaders meeting tomorrow plan to elect Linda Upmeyer of Clear Lake as the co-chair of the Republican Party of Iowa. "I've been … [Read more...]
Death penalty proposed for specific child murder cases
A bill to reinstate the death penalty in Iowa -- just for those convicted of kidnapping, raping and murdering children -- has cleared a subcommittee in the Iowa Senate. Sam Jones, pastor of the Faith Baptist Church in Hudson, spoke in favor of the bill during a hearing yesterday. "What does … [Read more...]
Grassley not sure Senate should hold impeachment trial
After ten U.S. House Republicans joined Democrats in impeaching President Trump on Wednesday, now some Republicans in the U.S. Senate are considering voting to convict Trump in a looming trial there. Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley, a Republican, says he's not sure there should even be a Senate … [Read more...]
Democrats warn Iowa legislature may be ‘super spreader’
Democrats are warning about the potential spread of Covid-19 in the Iowa Statehouse this week as the 2021 legislative session gets underway. Senator Joe Bolkcom, a Democrat from Iowa City, is accusing Republican leaders of acting like Covid is "no big deal." "Your lame reasoning about not … [Read more...]
Congresswoman Axne says Trump was rhetorical ‘ring leader’ of Capitol riot
Democratic Congresswoman Cindy Axne of West Des Moines says those responsible for last week's insurrection in the U.S. Capitol must be held accountable and that's why she voted to impeach President Trump. "No one is above the law," Axne says. Axne says she was encouraged that House Republican … [Read more...]
Iowa delegation breaks along party lines on Trump impeachment vote
The Democrat representing Iowa's third congressional district voted "yes" while the three Republicans from Iowa serving in the U.S. House have voted "no" on the articles of impeachment that have just passed the House this afternoon. All four released written statements today before the … [Read more...]
Iowa chief justice says paperless push years ago helped in pandemic
Iowa Supreme Court Chief Justice Susan Christensen says the state's court system has been upended by the pandemic. "It's been turned on its head for almost a year," Christensen said this morning. "We can't just shut our doors and say: 'See you when things get better.' It's not like people have a … [Read more...]
Kelly says Trump unable to admit to mistakes
President Donald Trump's former chief of staff told an Iowa audience yesterday he believes President-elect Joe Biden will be safely inaugurated as president next week. Retired General John Kelly and Anthony Scaramucci, the White House spokesman for 23 days back in 2017, appeared together at the … [Read more...]