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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

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

Iowa governor declares public-health disaster emergency amid COVID-19 spread, closing bars and restaurants

Annie Fitzpatrick, News Reporter March 17, 2020

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds called for the closure of bars, fitness centers, theaters, casinos, locations of mass gatherings, and senior citizen centers and adult daycare facilities, effective noon Tuesday.  The...

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

Iowa governor recommends schools close for four weeks based on evidence of COVID-19 community spread

Marissa Payne, Editor-in-Chief March 15, 2020

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds on Sunday recommended the state's schools close for four weeks to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 as evidence of community spread of the virus grows within the state. Reynolds...

The Iowa State Capitol building is seen in Des Moines on April 9, 2019.

Iowa Legislature will pause for at least a month after community spread of the coronavirus confirmed in Iowa

Caleb McCullough, Assistant Politics Editor March 15, 2020

The Iowa Legislature will shutter for at least 30 days, in an effort to prevent the spread of COVID-19, after Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds and state health officials confirmed Saturday a case of community spread...

Gov. Kim Reynolds confirms Iowa now has 17 coronavirus cases

Gov. Kim Reynolds confirms Iowa now has 17 coronavirus cases

March 13, 2020

In a press conference Friday, Gov. Kim Reynolds confirmed another individual tested positive for novel coronavirus, bringing the total number of cases in the state to 17. The person was tested in...

University of Iowa students form lines during the caucus at the Iowa Memorial Union on Monday February 3, 2020.

Iowa Democrats to postpone county conventions

Rylee Wilson, Politics Reporter March 13, 2020

The Iowa Democratic Party is postponing the Democratic County Conventions, scheduled for March 21, over concerns about spreading the novel coronavirus at large public gatherings. The county conventions...

Congressman Dave Loebsack (Iowa-2) speaks during the Progress Iowa Corn Feed in Bondurant Iowa on Sunday, Sep. 16, 2018. The event featured a variety of local and national democratic politicians who spoke on how Democrats can work together leading up to the midterm elections.

Rep. Dave Loebsack endorses Joe Biden, joining Iowa’s two other Democratic members of Congress

Julia Shanahan, Politics Editor March 12, 2020

Rep. Dave Loebsack endorsed Joe Biden for the Democratic presidential nomination on Thursday, joining the other two Democratic members of Iowa's congressional delegation. Iowa Congresswomen Cindy Axne...

U.S Senator Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, speaks with reporters during a press conference at Mercy Hospital on July 2, 2019.

Chuck Grassley will not cancel public meetings in Iowa amid novel coronavirus

Julia Shanahan, Politics Editor March 11, 2020

Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, told reporters in a conference call on Wednesday that he will not be taking self-isolation measures or canceling public meetings in Iowa at this time, amid a rising number...

Iowa medical cannabidiol patient John Fenner poses for a portrait on Feb. 25. Fenner enrolled in Iowa's Medical Cannabidiol Program in October 2019. He advocates for more options for medical cannabis patients.

Patients face roadblocks in medical marijuana program

Caleb McCullough, Assistant Politics Editor March 10, 2020

When he first joined Iowa’s medical marijuana program, 61-year-old Navy veteran John Fenner tried to treat the nerve damage in his left leg with the most potent THC product he could obtain. But the...

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

Gov. Kim Reynolds announces three presumptive positive coronavirus cases in Iowa

Charles Peckman, Marissa Payne, and Sarah Watson March 8, 2020

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds on Sunday announced three presumptive positive cases of novel coronavirus in Johnson County. The Iowa Department of Public Health reported that one of the individuals is between...

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

Appointment of DHS spokesman to public records board under fire

Jason Clayworth, Des Moines Register investigative reporter March 6, 2020

Originally published in the Des Moines Register, the Register has made this story available for other media outlets, including The Daily Iowan. Gov. Kim Reynolds on Wednesday appointed the spokesman...

The Iowa State Capitol building is seen in Des Moines on April 9, 2019.

Iowa Senate passes a bill to raise minimum age to purchase tobacco

Julia Shanahan and Rylee Wilson March 4, 2020

The Iowa Senate passed a bill 43-6 on Wednesday that would make the minimum age to buy tobacco and tobacco products to 21, while placing misdemeanor penalties on retailers who violate this provision. The...

Iowa Rep. Bobby Kaufmann, R-Wilton, speaks at the Iowa State Capitol on Monday, January 13, 2020. The House convened and leaders in the Iowa House of Representatives gave opening remarks to preview their priorities for the 2020 session. (Katina Zentz/The Daily Iowan)

LGBTQ bills fail to advance in Iowa Legislature

Rylee Wilson, Politics Reporter February 27, 2020

Most LGBTQ-related bills in the Iowa Legislature failed to advance through the funnel deadline, including bills aimed at banning conversion therapy as well as bills placing regulations on LGBTQ topics...