Governor Kim Reynolds has signed a bill into law that's expected to offer childcare assistance to more Iowans. It raises the income limit for families to qualify and increases government payments to facilities that care for the kids from those families. Reynolds says it's been about 15 years … [Read more...]
Iowa seniors have until July 1 to apply for new property tax break
Iowans who are 65 or older and own the home they live in have about six weeks to apply for a new property tax exemption. The tax plan Governor Reynolds signed into law earlier this month includes a new property tax exemption for Iowa seniors. It will reduce the taxable value of a home by $3250 … [Read more...]
Smoke from distant fires creates colorful sunrise in Iowa
Iowans who happened to be up for sunrise today got a rare treat. Smoke from wildfires in Alberta, Canada, is filtering high over Iowa and it's making the sun appear as a golden-reddish-orange ball. Meteorologist Brooke Hagenhoff, at the National Weather Service, says the phenomenon should be … [Read more...]
DOT’s Motor Vehicle Enforcement Division to merge into State Patrol
The nearly 100 officers in the Iowa DOT's Motor Vehicle Enforcement Division will soon become part of the Iowa Highway Patrol. The switch takes effect July 1. Governor Kim Reynolds said it makes sense to have units with similar functions "under the same roof" at the Iowa Department of Public … [Read more...]
Iowa’s governor approves liability limits for trucking industry
The governor has signed a bill into law that extends new liability protection to the trucking industry. When someone is injured or killed in a crash with a semi, a large commercial vehicle or tow truck, the new law sets a $5 million limit on so-called pain and suffering awards for non-economic … [Read more...]
Regent says proposed tuition increase is a cut when compared to inflation
The Board of Regents held the first reading of a proposed increase in tuition at the three state universities at its meeting Thursday. Brad Berg of the Regents' office explained the increase. "The proposed base undergraduate resident tuition increases include a three and a half percent increase … [Read more...]
Iowan to represent U.S. as Cherry Blossom Queen
An Iowa woman was recently chosen to represent the United States in an international program with Japan. Maddy McGarry was named the U.S. Cherry Blossom Queen at the National Conference of State Cherry Blossom Societies in Washington, D.C. "It's really a program that helps to kind of celebrate … [Read more...]
Governor touts ‘transformational’ actions of 2023 legislative session
Governor Kim Reynolds says the 2023 legislative session has set Iowa on "a new path," starting with what she calls "transformational education reform." At the end of this month, low income parents of private school students can start applying for $7600 in state money to cover tuition and other … [Read more...]
El Nino watch issued for Iowa
Areas of Iowa that have suffered through months of drought may see some relief soon with the development of an El Nino weather pattern, as the Climate Prediction Center has issued an El Nino Watch for this summer. Doug Kluck, the Central Region climate service director for the National Weather … [Read more...]
Iowans are snapping up free DNR litter bags by the thousands
Thanks to a sudden social media buzz, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources is seeing a renewed surge in demand for its big, blue, recyclable litter bags -- which are free. Todd Robertson, the DNR's river programs outreach coordinator, says the effort was launched 14 years ago and was … [Read more...]