Week in Iowa | Recap of news from across the state

Confusion over book ban: Iowa public schools are looking for guidance from the Department of Education on implementing a new state law that bans books with sexual material from school libraries, among a raft of other changes.

The state Board of Education president told a department official schools are confused about the parameters of the law and how to correctly implement it at a meeting on Thursday.

The Urbandale Community School District sent teachers a list of nearly 400 books that they had to take off shelves to comply with the law, sourced from other states with similar laws.

The books include literary classics like “1984” and “Catcher in the Rye.” Margaret Buckton, a lobbyist for rural and urban school organizations, said schools run the risk of interpreting the law too conservatively and depriving students of reading materials.

Hinson rallies around Trump after indictment: Most of Iowa's top elected Republicans stayed silent after former President Donald Trump was indicted last week over his effort to overturn the 2020 election.

But U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson, who represent's northeast Iowa's 2nd District, came to Trump's defense, implying the indictment was to distract from scrutiny on President Joe Biden and decrying "politicization of the judicial system."

Pandemic relief dollars to pay for Iowa troops at border: Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds said she will use federal pandemic relief dollars to cover all expenses for the deployment of Iowa National Guard soldiers and state law enforcement officers to the southern border. The deployment will last from Aug. 2 to Sept. 1.

Iowa athletes charged in gambling probe: Seven current and former athletes at the University of Iowa and Iowa State University, including Iowa State quarterback Hunter Dekkers, were charged in an investigation into betting on sports in violation of NCAA rules.

The athletes were charged with tampering with records as part of a state investigation.

Court records allege the athletes made sports wagers in accounts under others' names, which could carry a penalty of up to two years in prison. Other athletes charged include Iowa kicker Aaron Blom, ISU wrestler Paniro Johnson and offensive lineman Dodge Sauser, as well as three former athletes.

Presidential hopefuls visit fundraisers: Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis spoke at Republican Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird's first annual "Big Barn Bash" fundraiser in Adel on Saturday.

Today, DeSantis, former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, and other candidates will speak at U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson's "BBQ Bash" fundraiser in Cedar Rapids.

They said ...

“There’s a lot of confusion, people in the field that I’ve talked to are looking to the (department) or somebody to provide directions. Because right now, people are kind of either guessing what is right or wrong, and not being in violation of the law.” -- Iowa Board of Education President John Robbins on state law banning certain books from school libraries

“Since the administration refuses to invest in securing the border and protecting its citizens, Texas has asked other states to help, and Iowa is ready and willing to assist." -- Republican Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds on decision to send National Guard troops to the southern border.

Odds and ends

Haley PAC releases ad: A super PAC aligned with former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, SFA Fund, released its first Iowa ad focusing on Haley's position on China. The $7 million ad will air across broadcast, cable and streaming over the next nine weeks.

Iowa State Fair: The Iowa State Fair begins Thursday, a 10-day showcase of Iowa culture, agriculture, music, food and politics at the State Fairgrounds in Des Moines. There are dozens of new fair foods to try and familiar favorites, along with ag contests and talent shows. Presidential candidates from both parties will speak at events as they seek to sway voters ahead of Iowa’s 2024 caucuses.

Water cooler

Hospital rankings: The University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics ranked No. 6 in the country for ophthalmology and No. 28 for nose and throat specialty, according to U.S. News & World Report’s “Best Hospitals“ list. The hospital ranked in both specialties last year, but improved its ranking this year.

Davenport deaths: The three men killed in a collapsed building in Davenport in May died from “multiple blunt force injuries with mechanical asphyxia,” according to a report from the state office of the Medical Examiner. The medical examiner’s office declined to list the time of death, citing state law.