Several department heads have announced their resignations in recent days, but Governor Kim Reynolds says that's a normal thing as she prepares to take over for her first full term. "We're going to be making further announcements in January," Reynolds says, "we are working through the transition … [Read more...]
Senator Grassley doesn’t expect any issues in confirming new Attorney General
Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley expects a swift confirmation process for President Trump's nominee for U.S. Attorney General. Grassley calls William Barr a "talented, well-respected lawyer" who has served in that post before -- from 1991 to '93 under President George H.W. Bush. "I think he had an … [Read more...]
State Senator Boulton says ethics committee has no jurisdiction for sexual misconduct complaint
State Senator Nate Boulton wants an ethics committee to dismiss a sexual misconduct complaint filed against him last month. Boulton is a Democrat from Des Moines and says the alleged misconduct is beyond the scope of the committee, as it happened before he was elected in 2016. Boulton also issued … [Read more...]
Senator Ernst expects Whitaker to land on his feet
President Donald Trump has nominated William Barr to become the U.S. Attorney General, leaving the future of Iowa native who has been serving as acting Attorney General unknown. Iowa Senator Joni Ernst says Matt Whitaker is a friend from Iowa and she recently talked with him about it. "Not sure … [Read more...]
With ethics complaint pending, Boulton not assigned to any senate panels
A Democratic state senator facing sexual misconduct allegations hasn't been assigned to any committees for the upcoming legislative session. Last month, a woman filed an ethics complaint alleging State Senator Nate Boulton of Des Moines had harassed her, before he was elected to the senate. … [Read more...]
Lawyer examined archives, says Bush definitely won 1980 Iowa Caucuses
A controversial episode in Iowa Caucus history has apparently been solved. The Iowa Republican Party's computer crashed on Caucus Night back in 1980. George H.W. Bush was declared the winner, but Ronald Reagan's supporters have long maintained that if all the straw poll ballots had been counted … [Read more...]
Senator Ernst running again in 2020, welcomes any challengers
Iowa Senator Joni Ernst, a Republican from Red Oak, says there is no doubt she will seek a second term in 2020. Ernst says, "I am running again, so to anyone who would like to step up and enter into that race, I say 'bring it on.'" Ernst became the first woman elected to Congress from Iowa in 2014 … [Read more...]
Misdemeanor charge filed against man who burned Orange City library books
A northwest Iowa man who burned four LGBTQ books from the Orange City Public Library has been charged with fifth degree criminal mischief. Sixty-two-year-old Paul Dorr of Orange City checked out five books on October 6 and burned them in protest of the Orange City Pride festival held October 19. … [Read more...]
AFSCME leader requests return to previous bargaining agreement, 3% raise
The leader of the labor union which represents some 20,000 state employees presented his contract proposal to the Reynold's Administration Thursday. AFSCME Council 61 president, Danny Homan says they are requesting the return to the contract language used before the new collective bargaining law … [Read more...]
Bar codes show 29 uncounted ballots in Northeast Iowa race were mailed on time
Court documents indicate 29 uncounted ballots in a close legislative race in northeast Iowa were mailed by the deadline. Kayla Koether, a Democrat from Decorah, asked for a recount in her race against Republican Representative Michael Bergen of Dorchester. She finished nine votes behind Bergen … [Read more...]