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.
Four Iowans were recognized by Gov. Kim Reynolds on Wednesday for their heroic efforts to save others’ lives, including saving one’s lifelong friend from freezing water and an elderly couple from a burning house.
Also in the Notebook, Gov. Reynolds orders flags at half-staff to honor former Vice President Dick Cheney
According to Iowa data, fentanyl and meth seizures are down significantly in the first 6 months of this year compared to averages over the previous 4 years.
The Iowa Public Information Board declined to rule last week whether the criminal investigative report into the 2023 downtown Davenport building collapse is a public record.
An Iowa lawmaker says state investigators monitored mobile devices at the Iowa Capitol as they tested geofencing software before it was used to pinpoint online sports wagering by student-athletes on Iowa campuses.
The Iowa Department of Public Safety says under current law there is no legal mechanism by which to charge individuals for sharing their sports betting accounts with others or making bets on another’s behalf.
Reynolds issued the order just days ahead of the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump, who has pledged hard-line immigration policies and mass deportations.
At least 4 dozen bills have been “pre-filed” ahead of the 2025 session of the Iowa Legislature, which convenes Monday
Another 67 illegally registered to vote, and the legal status of 2,022 more who registered or voted remains unknown, Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate says.
Also, Iowa Agriculture Secretary re-establishes advisory council eliminated by lawmakers
A Democratic state lawmaker from Marshalltown has called for an audit of the Iowa Veterans’ Home following the recent, unexpected elimination of 11 full-time staff.
School districts would not be required to arm staff. Rather, the new law provides requirements for those districts that choose to do so.
A criminal investigator for the state of Iowa suggested to colleagues last year that busting college athletes for online sports betting would impress the public and “the powers that be” and perhaps nudge lawmakers toward updating gambling laws.
Knowingly reporting fake information about serious crimes to law enforcement agencies in Iowa would be a felony under legislation advanced Wednesday in the Iowa House.
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