Week in Iowa, Aug. 7, 2023: Recap of news from across the state

18,600 Iowa students approved for ESAs: More than 18,600 Iowa students were approved to receive private school education savings accounts for the upcoming school year, the state Department of Education announced this past week. The accounts will be funded with $7,600 in public dollars and can be used to pay for tuition and other expenses at a private school.

The program, passed as Gov. Kim Reynolds' top legislative priority this year, was expected to have 14,000 participants in the first year and cost $107 million, but all approved accounts will be funded, regardless of cost. Democrats said last week the program benefits a small minority of students and will shift hundreds of millions in taxpayer dollars to unaccountable institutions.

Iowa attorney general sues EPA: Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird, a Republican, filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency over what she called an illegal delay in setting rules that would make E15 — gasoline blended with 15 percent ethanol — legal year-round. Gov. Kim Reynolds, along with six other state governors, asked for the rule change in spring 2022.

Wallace Building set for demolition: The Wallace State Office Building near the Iowa Capitol, known for its gold-colored, reflective exterior, could soon be vacated and demolished. The Iowa Executive Council approved the $21.3 million purchase of an office building in Des Moines that will soon house the Wallace Building's workers.

State Fair draws Iowans, candidates: Hundreds of thousands of Iowans flocked to the Iowa State Fair over the weekend to see the sights, taste the foods and sample the Republican presidential field. Donald Trump, Ron DeSantis, Mike Pence and several other candidates spoke to voters and flipped pork chops at the fair as they seek the favor of Iowans ahead of the 2024 Republican caucuses.

Candidates made appearances at the Des Moines Register's Political Soapbox, “Fair-Side Chats” with Gov. Kim Reynolds, and independent events sampling the sights and sounds of the fair. Former President Trump toured the fair Saturday, though he did not participate in either staged event.

UIHC buys struggling hospital: The Iowa Board of Regents approved the sale of Iowa City's Mercy Hospital to the University of Iowa for $20 million. The sale will have the university hospital taking over "substantially all" of the hospital's assets, as Mercy goes through bankruptcy proceedings.

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Mike Pence answers "treason" accusation: A State Fair audience member asked former Vice President Mike Pence why he committed "treason" on Jan. 6, 2021, referring to Pence's refusal to reject the valid electoral votes from several states to certify Joe Biden's presidential victory. Pence said he had no authority to reject those votes, and said Trump asked Pence to put him above the constitution, which he refused to do.

They said …

“There’s almost no idea more un-American than the notion that any one person can pick the American president. The American presidency belongs to the American people and the American people alone.” — Mike Pence on pressure to reject the valid electoral votes from several states on Jan. 6, 2021

“In Minnesota, we're not interested in banning books. We're interested in banning hunger from our schools. It's why we’re providing meals for every single child. That's what's coming out of the administration." — Democratic Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, speaking in Iowa about the Republican presidential field

Odds and ends

Secretary of State’s straw poll: Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate is holding an unofficial "straw poll" at the Iowa State Fair where Iowans can choose their preference from among the Republican presidential primary field, as well as their favorite fair food. The poll is intended to encourage voter registration and participation.

Judicial appointment: Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds appointed Sam Langholz, a top attorney in the Iowa Attorney General's Office, to the Iowa Court of Appeals. Langholz previously was a staff attorney with Reynolds' office and state public defender.

Water cooler

Iowa joins TikTok lawsuit: Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird has joined other state attorneys general in an investigation into the potential harmful effects of the social media company TikTok. Bird's office will bring in outside counsel to assist in the investigation and possible litigation against the popular social media app.

More charges in sports betting inquiry: The state’s investigation into illegal sports gambling in the athletic departments at the University of Iowa and Iowa State University picked up steam Thursday when another eight people — five of them current student athletes — were charged, bringing to 15 the number of people ensnared so far. Like those charged before, the eight new defendants face charges of tampering with records, an aggravated misdemeanor punishable by up to two years in prison if convicted.