Republican Governor Kim Reynolds has signed legislation that establishes tougher penalties for rioting and protests that block pedestrian or vehicle traffic. The law also provides new legal protection to police, so they cannot be sued for most on-duty actions. "Like so many Iowans, I was raised … [Read more...]
Reynolds rejects bill related to mortgage paperwork
Governor Kim Reynolds has vetoed a mortgage-related bill that sailed through the Iowa legislature this year without a single vote against it. During debate in the Iowa House and Senate, the bill was described as leveling the playing field for mortgage brokers like Rocket Mortgage and Quicken … [Read more...]
DMACC online classes resume after ransomware attack
Des Moines Area Community College on-line classes will resume today after a two-week hiatus caused by a ransomware attack. DMACC canceled online classes on June 3 and wound up closing the entire campus on June 4 due to the security breach. In-person classes resumed June 9. Governor Kim Reynolds … [Read more...]
Iowa’s governor to seek more personal income tax cuts in 2022
Republican Governor Kim Reynolds has signed a wide-ranging bill into law that cuts personal income taxes, gradually gets rid of the state inheritance tax and erases a property tax levy used to finance mental health services. State money is to be used to finance the mental health system. "Health … [Read more...]
Democratic State Representative Ras Smith announces bid for governor
The first candidate to officially declare they're running for governor in 2022 made the announcement online this morning. "My name is Ras Smith and I'm running for governor because I believe that Iowa's greatest days are ahead of us," he said in an introductory video. Smith, a 33-year-old … [Read more...]
$300 federal unemployment bonus ended in Iowa Sunday
Iowans who've filed for unemployment benefits are no longer receiving an extra 300 dollars per week in federal unemployment payments. Governor Reynolds ordered the change, which took effect Sunday. Iowa State University economist Peter Orazem says since Iowa is one of the first four states ending … [Read more...]
Reynolds seeks congressional probe of DSM flight carrying migrants
Iowa's governor is asking for a congressional investigation after unaccompanied migrant children were flown into Iowa without her office being notified. Governor Kim Reynolds and Tennessee's governor are asking the Senate Judiciary Committee to hold a public hearing about the movement of migrant … [Read more...]
Governor signs law making it clear Iowa casinos can simulcast races run outside U.S.
The governor has signed legislation that makes it legal for Iowa casinos to take bets on horse and dog races that are being run in foreign countries as well as in the United States. Iowa casinos have featured live broadcasts of races outside the US for years, but in December state regulators … [Read more...]
Reynolds approves election law changes, new spending on prisons
Republican Governor Kim Reynolds has approved a new law that forbids groups like political parties, unions and campaign organizations from having paid staff or volunteers collect and mail absentee ballots for voters. There are also new restrictions as to which Iowans may help another Iowan return … [Read more...]
Reynolds bans use of ‘critical race theory’ in schools, gov’t agencies
Iowa's Republican governor has signed a law that forbids teaching that the United States is systemically or fundamentally racist or sexist. The ban applies to public schools, colleges and universities as well as government agencies that have diversity training. The bill does not mention a concept … [Read more...]