Week in Iowa: Recap of news from across the state

Reynolds joins suit against vaccine rule: As Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds promised, Iowa joined 10 other Republican-led states in suing the Biden administration over its requirement that workers be vaccinated against COVID-19 if they work for a company with more than 100 employees. The lawsuit argues the mandate “is unconstitutional, unlawful and unwise,” claiming the authority to compel vaccinations lies with states, not the federal government. Under the federal rule, workers at larger businesses must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by Jan. 4 or face regular testing.

Redistricting final: Gov. Kim Reynolds signed into law the redistricting plan that lawmakers approved during in an Oct. 28 special session. Iowa’s nonpartisan redistricting process is considered a model for the nation.

Ethanol request: Gov. Kim Reynolds joined six other Midwest governors in sending a bipartisan letter to Michael Regan, administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, inquiring about the steps states must take to ensure E15 fuel can be sold all year long.

Bipartisan meeting: The Iowa Democratic Party, the Republican Party of Iowa, and the Brown and Black Forums of America announced their leaders met the week before to discuss recent racial attacks on state Rep. Ross Wilburn, the chairman of the Iowa Democratic Party, and also Iowa’s first-in-the-nation caucuses. Wilburn is Iowa’s first Black state party chairman.

They said …

“It was like 80 years unfolded right in front of us.” — Nancy DeJulius, of Davenport, on the burial ceremony for her uncle, Harold F. Carney, who died at Pearl Harbor and whose remains were recently identified

“It seems to be getting bigger every time we look at it. When we’re looking nationwide, you’re talking about the largest production we’ve ever seen.” — Chad Hart, Iowa State University professor of ag economics, on this year’s corn crop

Odds and ends

Audit request: NAACP officials called for a state audit of Scott County’s juvenile justice system to address the disproportionate incarceration of young people of color and high number of youth waived to adult court.

Record betting: The lure of fall football and enticing promotions by competing sportsbooks combined to generate a record $280.9 million in bets last month by Iowa gamblers.

The water cooler

Hinson selected: U.S. Ashley Hinson, a Republican who represents Eastern Iowa’s 1st District in Congress, was named co-chairwoman of the National Republican Congressional Committee’s Young Gun program.

Committee assignments: State Reps. Mike Bousselot, R-Ankeny, and Jon Dunwell, R-Newton, were assigned to myriad legislative committees after being sworn in following their recent special election victories to fill Iowa House vacancies.

More in the news

New trial sought in lottery fraud case: A man serving a 25-year prison sentence for conspiracy to commit theft by rigging computers to win lottery jackpots for himself, friends and family is suing the state of Iowa, claiming he was pressured four years ago to plead guilty to crimes he did not commit. Eddie Tipton wants the court to halt all restitution he’s been ordered to pay until a trial is held, during which he said he will present documents and other evidence to persuade the court to reverse his sentence.

Re-election bid: U.S. Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks of Ottumwa will seek re-election in Iowa’s newly drawn 1st Congressional District in 2022, avoiding a potentially competitive and contentious race against Democratic incumbent U.S. Rep. Cindy Axne.

New candidate: Kyle Kuehl, a political newcomer and Bettendorf business owner, announced his intention to run as a Republican for the U.S. House in Iowa's new 1st Congressional District.

Trooper indicted: A federal grand jury indicated a former Iowa state trooper over an arrest he made in 2017 of a motorcyclist. Robert James Smith is charged with using “unreasonable force” in the arrest, according to the indictment.

Wet October: October ranked as one of the top 10 wettest Octobers in recorded Iowa weather history. Iowa received nearly 5 inches of rain during the month, twice the normal rainfall. It was enough to significantly improve widespread drought conditions in the state, according to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.

Gazette Des Moines Bureau