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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

An Iowa City Police Department vehicle is seen on July 9, 2019.

Proposed bill in Iowa would require bystanders to call authorities

Drew Sullivan, News Reporter March 4, 2021

A bill approved by the Iowa Senate Judiciary Committee would add criminal penalties for people who fail to call authorities when witnessing dangerous situations. The bill was introduced by Sen....

Iowa City citizens march through downtown as part of another protest on Sunday, June 14th, 2020. Iowa City, along with several other major cities across the country has spent the past few weeks protesting the murder of George Floyd at the hands of the police and systemic racism.

Bill increasing penalties for unlawful protests passes Senate committee

Sabine Martin, News Reporter March 3, 2021

A bill that would increase punishments for certain protesters during protests was approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee on Wednesday. Sen. Julian Garrett, R-Warren, who introduced the bill,...

Gov. Kim Reynolds listens during a conference at the GuideLink Center in Iowa City on Thursday, Feb. 11, 2021. The new crisis center is a collaborative project between the Johnson County Board of Supervisors and community partners, and focuses on providing mental health and substance use care. It will have a soft opening on Monday.

Gov. Kim Reynolds receives Johnson & Johnson vaccine, encourages Iowans to get vaccinated

Julia Shanahan, Politics Editor March 3, 2021

Gov. Kim Reynolds received a dose of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine at a press conference on Wednesday and encouraged Iowans to get whichever vaccine is available to them. The Johnson and Johnson...

An apartment building is seen in Iowa City on Saturday, April 21, 2018.

State bill would remove Iowa City ordinance preventing income-based housing discrimination

Ailis McCardle, News Reporter February 25, 2021

A bill in the Iowa Legislature would remove a city ordinance that prevents landlords from denying housing to individuals and families using housing choice vouchers. Senate File 252 passed through...

Gov. Kim Reynolds gives the State of the State address in the house chamber of the Iowa State Capitol on Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2021 in Des Moines. Gov. Reynolds highlighted in the address expansion of broadband internet, a push for in-person learning, and economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Gov. Kim Reynolds announces vaccination website, new projections for eligible populations

Julia Shanahan, Politics Editor February 25, 2021

In an effort to simplify the vaccination process, Gov. Kim Reynolds announced the launch of a government website that would be a one-stop-shop for vaccine information, adding that all Iowans 16 and...

After being nominated to Speaker of the House, Rep. Pat Grassley is escorted to the front of the chambers for oath of office during the opening of the 2021 legislative session on Monday, Jan. 11, 2021 at the Iowa State Capitol in Des Moines.

Bill to change Iowa’s election laws passed in House, heads to governor’s desk

Lauren White, Politics Reporter February 24, 2021

The Iowa House passed a bill on Wednesday that would shorten the early voting period and place other limitations on voting, sending the bill to the governor’s office. The House passed the measure...

The Iowa State Capitol Building is seen on Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2021 in Des Moines. Tuesday marks the second day of the 2021 Iowa legislative session, including the annual State of the State address given by Gov. Kim Reynolds.

Iowa Senate Education Committee advances bill to regulate DEI training at public universities

Julia Shanahan, Politics Editor February 24, 2021

The Iowa Senate Education Committee advanced a bill 11-4 on Wednesday regarding First Amendment rights and diversity, equity, and inclusion training at public colleges and universities and postsecondary...

A single user bathroom is seen in the Main Library on Monday, Feb. 22, 2021. A full list of all single user bathrooms at the University of Iowa can be found online.

Bills that target transgender Iowans pass first legislative hurdles, lawmakers say it’s unlikely to advance

Natalie Dunlap, Politics Reporter February 23, 2021

The way transgender students can navigate in school restrooms, on sports teams, and in the health care system could be changed by several bills in the Iowa Legislature. Though even supporters of anti-transgender...

Members of the Senate take part in a session within the senate chambers of the Iowa State Capitol Building on Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2021 in Des Moines.

Senate approves bill to change Iowa’s election laws

Lauren White, Politics Reporter February 23, 2021

An elections bill facing fierce opposition from some Iowans and Democratic legislators was approved by the state Senate on Tuesday. Senate File 413 passed on party lines with a vote of 30-18. It’s...

Rep. Bobby Kaufmann speaks during the opening of the 2021 legislative session on Monday, Jan. 11, 2021 at the Iowa State Capitol in Des Moines. Legislative goals for the session include further tax cuts, expanding in-person learning, and moving towards economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Legislation that could change how Iowans vote is largely opposed in public hearing

Lauren White, Politics Reporter February 22, 2021

Iowans shared their opinions Monday on a recently introduced elections bill that would shorten the early voting period, reduce the number of ballot drop boxes, and set criminal boundaries for auditors...

Gov. Kim Reynolds gives the State of the State address in the house chamber of the Iowa State Capitol on Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2021 in Des Moines. Gov. Reynolds highlighted in the address expansion of broadband internet, a push for in-person learning, and economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Iowa lawmaker says bill to poll university professors on political affiliation won’t advance this session

Brian Grace, Politics Reporter February 18, 2021

State Sen. Jim Carlin, R-Sioux City, introduced a new bill to poll regent university employees on their political affiliations and submit the results to the General Assembly, but now says he wants...

Gov. Kim Reynolds speaks during the Condition of the State address at the Iowa State Capitol on Jan. 14.

Reynolds scraps decision to partner with Microsoft

Lauren White, Politics Reporter February 17, 2021

Gov. Kim Reynolds announced that the Iowa Department of Public Health is no longer moving forward on a contract with Microsoft that would have created a central vaccine registration system for Iowans.  During...