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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

Lawmakers stand over the Rotunda during the first day of the 2024 Iowa legislative session at the Iowa State Capitol in Des Moines on Monday, Jan. 8, 2024. The Republicans hold the majority in both the house and the senate.

Iowa lawmakers advance hefty fines for open meetings law violations

Liam Halawith, Politics Editor January 24, 2024

A panel of Iowa lawmakers unanimously agreed to advance a bill on Wednesday to drastically increase the fines for violating Iowa’s open meeting laws. Under the bill, violating Iowa’s open meeting...

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds speaks during Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis' Caucus Night Watch Party at the Sheraton in West Des Moines on Monday, Jan. 15, 2024. Republican voters assembled statewide to participate in the caucuses despite the cold and extreme winter weather across the state. Former President Donald Trump won the caucuses in a dominant and early fashion with 51 percent support from Republicans while DeSantis trailed in second with 21 percent as of 11:15 p.m. Around 250 people showed up to listen to DeSantis. (Ayrton Breckenridge/The Daily Iowan)

Gov. Reynolds introduces bill to strengthen rules against foreign ownership of Iowa farmland

Liam Halawith, Politics Editor January 24, 2024

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds introduced three bills Wednesday aimed at banning foreign land ownership, requiring a review of all administrative rules every five years, and blocking public funds from going...

The Iowa State Capitol is seen during the first day of the 2024 Iowa legislative session at the Iowa State Capitol in Des Moines on Monday, Jan. 8, 2024.

Iowa lawmakers squabble over the definition of a woman

Liam Halawith, Politics Editor January 23, 2024

A panel of Iowa lawmakers advanced a bill that would define a woman in Iowa code on Tuesday. Despite opposition to the legislation and unanswered questions on the intent behind the bill and what the...

State Auditor Rob Sand speaks to the Iowa City community at Iowa City Hall on Thursday, Sept. 7, 2023.

Lower-income Iowans paying higher property taxes, report finds

Roxy Ekberg, Politics Reporter January 23, 2024

Iowans in wealthy areas pay less in property taxes than those in less financially stable counties in Iowa, according to a property tax levy report released on Tuesday by Iowa State Auditor Rob Sand. The...

Speaker of the House, Pat Grassley, R-New Hartford, looks over documents during the first day of the 2024 Iowa legislative session at the Iowa State Capitol in Des Moines on Monday, Jan. 8, 2024. Grassley has been in the house since 2007.

Iowa lawmakers affirm support for Israel, pro-Palestine protesters call for ceasefire

Roxy Ekberg, Politics Reporter January 18, 2024

Pro-Palestine protesters looked down on Iowa lawmakers from the House gallery, shouting “shame” after a resolution to support Israel was passed on Thursday morning. Nearly four months after...

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds opens the Faith and Freedom Presidential Town Hall at the Iowa Events Center on Sept. 16, 2023. The event had ten Republican candidates speak for a crowd of over 1,000. Reynolds spoke to the audience about her work on changing laws around abortion and gender-affirming care.

Reynolds shifts AEA reform following feedback, backlash

Liam Halawith, Politics Editor January 18, 2024

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds walked back sweeping reforms to state Area Education Agencies on Thursday, according to a news release from the governor’s office. Just days after she introduced legislation...

The Iowa State Capitol is seen during the first day of the 2024 Iowa legislative session at the Iowa State Capitol in Des Moines on Monday, Jan. 8, 2024.

Iowa lawmakers introduce bill to revoke financial aid from students who support ‘terrorism’

Roxy Ekberg, Politics Reporter January 18, 2024

Iowa Republican lawmakers introduced a bill on Thursday that would prevent students who endorse or promote terrorist organizations from receiving financial aid from state sources. The bill, House File...

The inside of the gold dome is seen during the first day of the 2024 Iowa legislative session at the Iowa State Capitol in Des Moines on Monday, Jan. 8, 2024. The Republicans have 34 seats in the senate and the Democrats have 16 seats.

Iowa lawmakers advance bill to remove time limit on medical practice suits for concealment

Liam Halawith, Politics Editor January 17, 2024

Iowa lawmakers advanced a bill Wednesday that removes time limits for patients seeking a medical malpractice lawsuit against providers that concealed a cause of injury.  The law saw bipartisan...

A person exits the State Law Library during the first day of the 2024 Iowa legislative session at the Iowa State Capitol in Des Moines on Jan. 8, 2024. The Republicans have 64 seats in the house and the Democrats have 36.

New bill to loosen accountability requirements for state MOMS program

Alejandro Rojas, News Editor January 17, 2024

A bill introduced Wednesday by Iowa Rep. Jon Dunwell, R-Newton, would loosen accountability requirements for the state and third-party contractors of the More Options for Maternal Support, or MOMS,...

Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird speaks during a Moms for Liberty Rally at the Iowa State Capitol in Des Moines on Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2024.

Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird sues TikTok

Roxy Ekberg, Politics Reporter January 17, 2024

Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird sued TikTok for deceiving Iowa parents about children’s access to inappropriate material on the popular social media app, according to a news release from her office...

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds delivers her annual Condition of the State Address on Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2024.

Raising teacher pay, cutting taxes legislative priorities for Gov. Kim Reynolds

Liam Halawith and Roxy Ekberg January 9, 2024

DES MOINES — Behind the podium of a congested Iowa House Chamber, Gov. Kim Reynolds laid out her agenda to increase teacher’s salaries in the 2024 legislative session.  Giving the seventh Condition...

Iowa Rep. Jennifer Konfrst, D-Windsor Heights, speaks during the first day of the 2024 Iowa legislative session at the Iowa State Capitol in Des Moines on Monday, Jan. 8, 2024. Konfrst has served in the house since 2019.

Iowa lawmakers pin tax reform, cost reduction as top priorities for 2024

Liam Halawith and Roxy Ekberg January 8, 2024

DES MOINES — Additional income tax cuts, and reducing costs for Iowans are among the top priorities for state lawmakers this session, legislators announced during their opening remarks on Monday.  State...