Government & Politics

The federal government shutdown hasn’t affected food aid yet, but Iowa’s contingency funding for WIC could run out if the standoff in Washington drags on.

Gov. Kim Reynolds on Wednesday ordered all state agencies to use E-Verify and SAVE to confirm employment and immigration eligibility for new hires and professional licenses. The move follows the arrest of former Des Moines schools superintendent Ian Roberts, which exposed verification gaps and reignited debate over whether Iowa should mandate E-Verify statewide.

The Johnson County Board of Supervisors is requesting an in-person public meeting with Utah-based Havenpark Communities, owner of mobile home parks across the county, as residents push for a two-year moratorium on rent increases due to concerns over park conditions.

The City of Hiawatha recently received nearly $800,000 in state funds to support the construction of a new trail connection at Interstate 380 and Emmons Street.

The Iowa City Council on Tuesday approved $927,000 for the purchase of three town homes in North Liberty to be used by the Iowa City Housing Authority for affordable housing.

Greene County Attorney Thomas Laehn will launch a Libertarian campaign for U.S. Senate, vowing to rein in executive power, end eminent domain abuse and dismantle what he calls Washington’s “corrupt two-party system.” He joins a crowded field of candidates competing to replace retiring Iowa U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst.

The ruling is a victory for three Planned Parenthood affiliates — in California, Iowa and New York — that sued to try to block enforcement of a U.S. Department of Human Services policy document issued in July that they contend contradict the requirements of the grants as established by Congress.

Linn County will partner with University of Iowa researchers to learn more about water quality and pollution sites within the county through three studies that will act as the “backbone” of the county’s comprehensive water quality management and mitigation plan.