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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

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.

Bill to cut dozens of Iowa’s boards and commissions headed to governor

Liam Halawith, Politics Editor April 19, 2024

Iowa Senate lawmakers approved a bill that would eliminate 67 of Iowa’s 256 boards and commissions, including the state Child Care Advisory Committee and the Iowa Council on Homelessness.  The...

Gov. Kim Reynolds gives the annual Condition of the State address at the Iowa State Capitol, Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2024.

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds signs law helping Boy Scout sexual abuse survivors

Liam Halawith, Politics Editor April 19, 2024

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds signed a bill into law on Friday to alter the state’s statute of limitations for civil sexual abuse cases to narrowly benefit Boy Scout sex abuse survivors who are eligible...

The Iowa State Capitol is seen in Des Moines on Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2024.

Politics Notebook | Iowa House lawmakers approve raise for statewide elected officials

Liam Halawith, Politics Editor April 18, 2024

Iowa House lawmakers approved a bill to increase statewide elected official pay by $10,000 next year on Thursday. The bill would also include a cost-of-living increase for Iowa lawmaker’s pay, similar...

Lawmakers sit in the house chamber during the first day of the 2024 Iowa legislative session at the Iowa State Capitol in Des Moines on Monday, Jan. 8, 2024.

With adjournment around the corner, Iowa lawmakers consider tax overhaul

Liam Halawith, Politics Editor April 18, 2024

As lawmakers move toward adjournment this weekend, Senate lawmakers advanced a tax omnibus bill that would, among other changes to tax processes, decrease the state’s income tax rate to 3.8 percent...

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)

Iowa Senate gives final approval of governor’s literacy bill

Liam Halawith, Politics Editor April 17, 2024

Iowa Senate lawmakers gave final approval to the governor’s K-12 literacy bill on Wednesday, sending the bill to the Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds’ desk for her signature.  The bill, House File 2618,...

Iowa Board of Regents President of Pro Tem Sherry Bates listens to a speaker during a board meeting in Cedar Falls, Iowa on Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2023.

Regent survey shows better attitudes toward free speech on campus

Liam Halawith, Politics Editor April 16, 2024

A March survey of students, staff, and faculty at Iowa’s three public universities found that overall attitudes toward the state of free speech on campus improved from a December 2021 survey.  The...

The Iowa State Capitol is seen in Des Moines on Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2024.

Politics Notebook | Iowa lawmakers send teacher gun bill to governor

Liam Halawith, Politics Editor April 15, 2024

Iowa lawmakers sent a bill to arm Iowa teachers to the governor’s desk on Monday, with the House approving the bill 62-36, down party lines, after the Senate approved the bill last week. The bill,...

Iowa Supreme Court Chief Justice Susan Christensen delivers a speech during the 2023 State of the Judiciary at the Iowa State Capitol in Des Moines on Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2023. Christensen addressed a lack of court reporters during her speech. “For the past few years, the judicial branch has become increasingly concerned about the growing imbalance between the number of court reporters retiring and the even fewer number of people becoming interested in the profession,” Christensen said.

Iowa Supreme Court hears arguments on state abortion ban Thursday

Liam Halawith, Politics Editor April 11, 2024

The Iowa Supreme Court heard oral arguments Thursday on whether the state’s six-week abortion ban should go into effect after a Polk County Judge temporarily blocked the law from being enacted. The...

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)

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds signs law allowing state, local police to enforce illegal entry law

Liam Halawith, Politics Editor April 10, 2024

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds signed Senate File 2340 Wednesday. The bill makes illegal reentry after being removed from the U.S. a state crime, allowing state and local law enforcement to arrest undocumented...

Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds talks with supporters after the 2023 Thanksgiving Family Forum hosted by The FAMiLY Leader, an organization dedicated to advancing the role of religious values in government, at the Marriott hotel in downtown Des Moines on Friday, Nov. 17, 2023. Ramaswamy sat with his son, who ran onto the stage earlier in the event. The event began at 3:30 p.m. with a round table discussion, and was followed by meet-and-greet events with each of the candidates, which included Vivek Ramaswamy, Ron DeSantis, and Nikki Haley.

Reynolds announces grants for summer meal programs

Roxy Ekberg, Politics Reporter April 10, 2024

After rejecting federal funds for the Summer EBT program in February, Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds announced $900,000 in competitive grants for summer meal programs for children.  Administered by the...

State representatives stand for a moment of silence for the school shooting that happened in Perry, Iowa, during the first day of the 2024 Iowa legislative session at the Iowa State Capitol in Des Moines on Monday, Jan. 8, 2024. The shooting took place on Jan. 4.

Reynolds signs law tightening rules against foreign ownership of Iowa farmland

Natalie Miller, Politics Reporter April 9, 2024

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds signed a bill on Tuesday tightening the rules for registration and reporting on the ownership of Iowa farmland by non-U.S. Citizens, foreign governments, and foreign companies. Senate...

State representatives stand for a moment of silence for the school shooting that happened in Perry, Iowa, during the first day of the 2024 Iowa legislative session at the Iowa State Capitol in Des Moines on Monday, Jan. 8, 2024. The shooting took place on Jan. 4.

Reynolds signs bill waiving graduation, state testing requirements for Perry following shooting

Roxy Ekberg, Politics Reporter April 5, 2024

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds signed a law on Friday allowing the Perry Community School District to use special property tax dollars to pay for retention bonus payments to staff. The law also waives state...