Week in Iowa, May 8, 2023: Recap of news from across the state

College athletes investigated for sports betting: Dozens of student athletes at Iowa State University and the University of Iowa are being investigated on allegations of gambling on sporting events, possibly in violation of the law and NCAA rules. While none of the athletes have been named, some baseball players were absent from a University of Iowa game this week.

Both schools, the NCAA and the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation are involved in investigating the matter. The state’s gambling regulator, the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission, said it does not have any evidence that calls into question the integrity of the schools' sporting events.

Iowa universities hike tuition: Iowa's three public universities proposed increasing tuition by 3.5 percent for in-state students, which would amount to between $285 and $305 more per year depending on the campus. For out-of-state students, the universities proposed increases of 1 percent to 4 percent.

Proposition 12 upheld: The U.S. Supreme Court upheld a controversial California law that regulates livestock that produce meat sold in the state. The law requires that breeding sows sold that give birth to pigs sold for pork in California be given 24 square feet of space, which most Iowa sows do not have.

Iowa pork producers and farm groups said the law would drive up pork prices nationwide by forcing producers to conform to California's law. They argued the law violates the U.S. Constitution's commerce clause by regulating livestock practices outside the state.

Reynolds signs workforce bills: Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds signed two bills into law aimed at bolstering Iowa's workforce last week. One law removes the requirement that a physician's assistant be supervised by a specific physician to practice medicine. The other establishes a state office of apprenticeship, which will be responsible for administering apprenticeship programs.

Nikki Haley to headline Roast and Ride: Former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley will be among the speakers at Sen. Joni Ernst's 2023 Roast and Ride, a summer fundraiser that draws presidential hopefuls ahead of election years.

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They said …

“PAs are capable, well-trained medical professionals who should be given every encouragement to serve Iowa communities, and that is what today’s bill is all about." — Iowa Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds after signing physician assistant oversight bill

“This ruling sets a bad precedent, enabling other states to regulate commerce outside their boundaries. Consumers, especially low-income ones who rely on affordable nutritious pork to feed their families, will ultimately suffer due to higher food prices.” — Iowa Pork Producers Association President Trish Cook on Prop 12 ruling

Odds and ends

2024 watch: Former President Donald Trump held a rally in Des Moines on Saturday, while Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, his presumed presidential primary rival, rallied voters in Northwest and Eastern Iowa. Vivek Ramaswamy, an entrepreneur also in the race, headlined events across Iowa last week.

Grassley requests documents: Iowa Republican U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley said a letter from the FBI in response to a subpoena he and Rep. James Comer issued requesting an alleged document implicating President Joe Biden in an unspecified "criminal scheme" raises questions about the authenticity of the document and whether the FBI investigated it.

Water cooler

Suspect flees country: An Iowa City man who was set to go to trial this month on attempted murder and robbery charges fled to Jordan, authorities said. Ali Younes' parents, Alfred and Lima, were arrested last week and charged with helping him escape.

DeSantis endorsements: Two high-ranking Iowa Republicans, House Majority Leader Matt Windschitl and Senate President Amy Sinclair, announced endorsements of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis' presumed presidential bid. While DeSantis has not yet announced his candidacy, he regularly places second in Republican primary polls behind former President Donald Trump.

Amazon to open Davenport facility: E-commerce giant Amazon plans to hire 1,000 workers to staff its upcoming fulfillment center in Davenport, slated to open by August. The facility will be Amazon's seventh warehouse in Iowa.