As China deals with the coronavirus outbreak, former Governor Terry Branstad -- the current U.S. ambassador to China -- plans to stay in Beijing. Governor Kim Reynolds says she hasn't talked directly with Branstad, but one of her aides has. "The Ambassador is staying. We're not sure what Chris is … [Read more...]
Iowa’s attorney general to surpass national milestone tomorrow
On Saturday, Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller will become the longest-serving attorney general in U.S. history. Miller, a Democrat, was first elected in 1978 and has been re-elected nine times. "I always thought that there was great potential in the office to serve ordinary people," Miller said … [Read more...]
Reynolds confident about appealing discrimination verdict against state
Governor Kim Reynolds says she's confident the state will be successful in its appeal of the $1.5 million discrimination verdict against the State of Iowa and former Iowa Governor Terry Branstad. "I sat down with my legal team and, you know, after walking it through with them, I'm confident we … [Read more...]
State auditor opposes appeal of $1.5 million verdict for state worker who sued Branstad
State Auditor Rob Sand says taxpayers shouldn't have to pay to appeal a jury's decision that awarded $1.5 million to a former state official. Sand, a Democrat, wrote a letter to other statewide officials about the case involving former Republican Governor Terry Branstad and former Workers … [Read more...]
Reynolds favors local control of wind turbine locations
Former Governor Terry Branstad championed statewide standards that overrode local attempts to restrict where livestock confinements may be built, but his successor says she will not propose statewide standards for placement of wind turbines. The Madison County Board of Supervisors will hold a … [Read more...]
Governor still reviewing options in discrimination case
Governor Kim Reynolds was asked Tuesday about the mounting legal bill as state lawyers seek to have a verdict awarding a former labor commissioner $1.5-million dollars thrown out. The discrimination case involved former Governor Terry Branstad -- and Reynolds says the lawyer fees can't be … [Read more...]
Branstad talks trade war at Iowa State Fair
The U.S. Ambassador to China talked trade as he visited the Iowa State Fair over the weekend. Former Iowa Governor Terry Branstad says the escalating trade troubles between the U.S. and China are top-of-mind for many people, from politicians to ag producers. Ambassador Branstad was asked how long … [Read more...]
Petition asks judge to toss $1.5 million jury verdict against former Gov. Branstad
Attorneys for the State of Iowa are challenging a jury's verdict against former Governor Terry Branstad. The jury awarded Christopher Godfrey $1.5 million after concluding Branstad retaliated against the former Workers Compensation Commissioner because he's gay. After taking office in 2010, … [Read more...]
Jury awards gay state official $1.5 million in discrimination case
After seven years of litigation and a six-week trial, a jury has decided former Iowa Governor Terry Branstad discriminated against a gay state official. The jury awarded former Workers' Compensation Commissioner Christopher Godfrey $1.5 million in damages. "It's important, indeed critical, that … [Read more...]
Branstad rejects accusation he pressured official to resign because he’s gay
Former Republican Governor Terry Branstad sat in the witness chair in a Des Moines courtroom for nearly six hours Friday and forcefully rejected allegations he tried to force a state administrator to resign seven years ago because the official was gay. "I was raised by a Jewish mother who was … [Read more...]