Tom Barton

Two members of the Iowa National Guard were killed Saturday in an attack in central Syria that U.S. officials have blamed on the Islamic State group, marking the deadliest attack on U.S. forces in the country in more than a year and coming on the 389th birthday of the National Guard.

State agencies are pre-filing bills ahead of the 2026 Iowa legislative session, signaling debates over kratom regulation, prison safety, election ads and a renewed fight over the future of Iowa’s historical archives in Iowa City.

Iowa Sens. Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst backed a GOP plan built around expanded HSAs, opposing an extension of enhanced ACA premium tax credits set to lapse this month. Critics say the move risks steep premium hikes in January.

Iowa City baristas joined a growing national “No Contract, No Coffee” strike, urging customers to boycott Starbucks until the coffee chain negotiates a first union contract — more than two and a half years after Iowa City workers voted unanimously to unionize.

As Congress races to decide the future of the Affordable Care Act’s enhanced premium tax credits, Iowa’s delegation remains divided. Republicans cite fraud risks, insurer windfalls and wealthy households benefiting from subsidies, while advocates warn tens of thousands of Iowans could face steep premium hikes if the COVID-era support expires.

The CEO of Iowa’s public pension system said he does not object to a review of the retirement program for public employees, but cautioned against potential consequences of a voluntary contribution option — one of the recommendations from a citizen task force appointed by Gov. Kim Reynolds.

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds issued a disaster proclamation Tuesday after a case of highly pathogenic avian influenza was detected in a commercial turkey flock in Hamilton County -- the state’s ninth detection of the H5N1 bird flu in domestic Iowa flocks in 2025.

New policy wins — including $150 million for residency expansion and new prior-authorization rules — are giving Iowa physicians hope, but health leaders warns real improvements will take years.

Three Democratic candidates vying to succeed Republican U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson in northeast Iowa’s 2nd Congressional District told voters Sunday they would make health care more affordable, strengthen unions and push back on policies they say are squeezing working families and small farmers.

Lutheran Services in Iowa turned a funding freeze into a success story — but refugee resettlement leaders warn thousands of Afghan allies remain stuck in limbo without congressional action.

Iowa’s Vocational Rehabilitation Services program is being restructured under Iowa Workforce Development — a move state leaders say improves efficiency, but staff warn could weaken services for Iowans with disabilities. Some educators, meanwhile, say the changes are helping students find jobs faster and gain real-world experience.

Other projects include facility upgrades in Lee County and surgical tech improvements in Winneshiek County

Iowa households that rely on food assistance will begin receiving their long-delayed November SNAP benefits after Congress ended the 43-day federal government shutdown, the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services announced Thursday.

After 43 days without federal funding, Iowa’s all-Republican House delegation voted to reopen the government as Congress approved a deal that restores worker pay, protects SNAP and WIC, and delays a major fight over health-care subsidies until December.

Dave Bushaw, a West Union farmer, musician and former Bernie Sanders organizer, announced an independent campaign for Iowa’s open 2nd Congressional District seat, pledging to champion working-class Iowans through grassroots organizing.