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The independent newspaper of the University of Iowa community since 1868

The Daily Iowan

The independent newspaper of the University of Iowa community since 1868

The Daily Iowan

The independent newspaper of the University of Iowa community since 1868

The Daily Iowan

Photo Illustration.

Teachers, LGBTQ+ advocates renew injunction against Iowa book ban law

Bri Brands, Politics Reporter February 6, 2025

Iowa LGBTQ+ advocacy and legal groups returned to federal district court on Thursday, seeking to block Senate File 496, also known as Iowa’s book ban and “don’t-say-LGBTQ+” law. American...

Members of the House during the first day of the 2025 Iowa legislative session at the Iowa State Capitol in Des Moines on Monday, Jan. 13, 2025.

Politics Notebook | Iowa Senate moves forward with Reynolds’ cellphone ban

Liam Halawith, Politics Editor February 5, 2025

Iowa Senate lawmakers advanced a bill Wednesday to ban cellphones in Iowa classrooms during “instructional time” — one of Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds’ top priorities. The bill, Senate Study Bill...

The Old Capitol building is seen during the first day of the 2025 Iowa legislative session at the Iowa State Capitol in Des Moines on Monday, Jan. 13, 2025.

Iowa lawmakers advance to use Trump’s new name for Gulf of Mexico in public schools

Roxy Ekberg, Politics Editor February 3, 2025

Iowa lawmakers advanced a bill Monday requiring public schools to replace references to the Gulf of Mexico and Denali with references to the “Gulf of America” and “Mount McKinley” in classroom...

The inner dome of the Iowa State Capitol building is seen during the second day of the 2025 Iowa legislative session at the Iowa State Capitol in Des Moines on Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025.

Iowa Rep. Martin Graber dies unexpectedly

Liam Halawith, Politics Editor January 31, 2025

Iowa Rep. Martin Graber, R-Fort Madison, died unexpectedly on Friday morning, according to a news release from Iowa House Republicans.  Graber, 72, died from a sudden heart attack, according to...

Members of the Senate meet during the first day of the 2025 Iowa legislative session at the Iowa State Capitol in Des Moines on Monday, Jan. 13, 2025.

Politics Notebook | Iowa Senate Lawmakers advance school funding increase

Liam Halawith, Politics Editor January 30, 2025

Iowa Senate Republicans advanced a bill to increase state aid to public school districts by 2 percent, or a $102 million, from the current budget year. The move signifies the start of lawmakers'...

The Iowa State Capitol as seen following the Condition of the State address in Des Moines on Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025.

Another spate of higher education bills advances Wednesday

Roxy Ekberg and Liam Halawith January 29, 2025

Iowa lawmakers advanced another spate of bills aiming to reform higher education in state regent universities on Wednesday. Among the bills considered and advanced by Iowa House Republicans Wednesday,...

Chair of the Iowa Higher Education Committee Taylor R. Collins speaks during the second day of the 2025 Iowa legislative session at the Iowa State Capitol in Des Moines on Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025. Collins has been serving as an Iowa State Representative since 2023.

Iowa House, Senate considers flurry of bills aimed at regent universities

Liam Halawith, Politics Editor January 28, 2025

Iowa lawmakers advanced a flurry of bills aimed at reforming the state's three public universities, controlled by the state Board of Regents, during a slate of hearings on Tuesday. Iowa lawmakers...

The Iowa State Capitol as seen following the Condition of the State address in Des Moines on Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025.

Politics Notebook | Grassley and ranking Democrat call for Trump’s rationale for inspectors general firings

Roxy Ekberg, Politics Editor January 28, 2025

U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee Chair Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, and a ranking member requested President Donald Trump detail his decision to fire inspectors general from 18 offices who serve as “watchdogs”...

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds exits the House of Representatives following the State of the Judiciary address at the Iowa State Capitol in Des Moines on Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025.

Regents working with universities to end federal DEI measures

Mia O'Connor-Walker, Politics Reporter January 28, 2025

The Iowa Board of Regents intends to work with Iowa’s three public universities to eliminate all Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion programs following an executive order from President Donald Trump ending...

The Iowa State Capitol as seen following the Condition of the State address in Des Moines on Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025.

Politics Notebook | Bill requiring public schools to display state, national mottos advances

Roxy Ekberg, Politics Editor January 27, 2025

Under a bill advanced by a panel of Iowa lawmakers Monday, public schools would be required to display the national and state motto in all school buildings and have two minutes of silent time before...

The inner dome of the Iowa State Capitol building is seen during the second day of the 2025 Iowa legislative session at the Iowa State Capitol in Des Moines on Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025.

Iowa lawmaker advances bill to criminalize ‘smuggling noncitizens’

Roxy Ekberg, Politics Editor January 22, 2025

Smuggling someone who is not a U.S. citizen for benefit or to conceal them from law enforcement would become a criminal offense in Iowa under a bill that advanced in the Iowa House Wednesday. The...

Chair of the Iowa Higher Education Committee Taylor R. Collins speaks during the second day of the 2025 Iowa legislative session at the Iowa State Capitol in Des Moines on Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025. Collins has been serving as an Iowa State Representative since 2023.

Iowa Republican lawmakers eye “comprehensive review” of state higher education system

Liam Halawith, Politics Editor January 21, 2025

DES MOINES — Iowa Republican lawmakers are eyeing a “comprehensive review” of the state’s higher education system, including the state’s three regent-controlled universities.  A newly...