Week in Iowa, Sept. 8, 2024: Recap of news from across the state

Libertarians ousted: Libertarian candidates for Congress in the 1st, 3rd and 4th congressional districts will not appear on ballots in the Nov. 5 election after the Iowa Supreme Court on Wednesday upheld a state panel’s ruling that disqualified them over the way they were nominated. The justices’ unanimous opinion affirmed a lower-court ruling that upheld an earlier decision by the State Objections Panel. The three bodies agreed the Libertarian Party of Iowa failed to follow party organizing and candidate nominating steps required in state law.

IVF proposal: Republican U.S. Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks introduced legislation that would provide a tax credit of up to $30,000 to individuals and couples pursuing in vitro fertilization, her office announced. “Every life is precious, and we have a moral imperative to support those who wish to become parents," she said.

Voters renew PPEL: A school property tax levy that Cedar Rapids school leaders say keeps kids “warm, safe and dry” was approved by voters Tuesday. The levy — which required only a simple majority to pass — was approved by 72 percent of voters who cast ballots, according to unofficial results. About 4,250 people cast their votes, or about 5 percent of registered voters.

Electrocution death: An ImOn Communications employee died Thursday, one day after being electrocuted during a house relocation project in Iowa City. “This is a heartbreaking loss for the ImOn Communications family, and our thoughts are with their family, friends, and colleagues during this incredibly difficult time,” Cindy Huber, vice president of marketing at ImOn Communications, said in a statement.

Working to overturn: Nearly 40 Iowa GOP lawmakers filed lawsuits asking state and federal courts to rule that state regulators’ recent approval of a carbon capture pipeline through Iowa was unconstitutional. The group held a news conference Wednesday in Charles City to discuss the lawsuit.

They said ...

"The Iowa Utilities Commission’s approval of this project is a gross overstep of authority, trampling on the rights of our landowners and putting the safety of Iowans at risk.“ --- Rep. Charley Thomson, R-Charles City, a leading member of the group of GOP legislators suing over the state panel’s approval of the Summit Carbon Solutions pipeline project

"The needs within our facilities to take care of our students and staff, they’re real. Our people recognize that and pulled together tonight to make a strong statement of commitment that we are here for our schools and will continue to take care of our schools.” -- Cedar Rapids Community School District Superintendent Tawana Grover, after voters Tuesday approved an extension of the PPEL property tax levy.

Odds and ends

Farewell to fair season: Fair season in Iowa drew to a close this weekend with the end of the 106th Clay County Fair in northwest Iowa. This year’s iteration featured 29 foods including affogato, chicken-fried steak, a “Wandering Waffle Cuban Sandwich,” a deep-fried chocolate chip cookie, a maple bacon latte and schnitzel strips.

Record harvest possible: Corn and soybean farmers in Iowa might post record average yields for both crops this fall, according to a report Thursday by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The department revised its estimates higher from a month ago and now predicts corn yields might average 212 bushels per acre. The record is 204 bushels per acre in 2021. Soybean yields might tie the average yield record of 63 bushels per acre, which also happened in 2021.

Water cooler

Books removed: About 81 books, including “The Handmaid’s Tale,” were taken off the shelves of public school libraries in Council Bluffs, with most removed from Abraham Lincoln, Thomas Jefferson and Lewis Central high schools because of a law passed in the Iowa Legislature last year and signed by Gov. Kim Reynolds.

Ex-UI employee arrested: A former University of Iowa employee suspected of pocketing nearly $1 million by performing work for his own business using university equipment was arrested Thursday after a special investigation this month made details of the scheme public. Brian Busch, 45, was booked into the Johnson County Jail on charges of first-degree theft, tampering with records, first-degree fraud and ongoing criminal activity.