Renewed action on property tax relief, a tougher approach to repeat violent crime, state spending, affordability and bipartisan calls for cooperation and civility were among the pledges and requests made by leaders during the first day of the 2026 session on Monday.
Educators are again asking for an increase of 5 percent in funding for Iowa public schools, saying it’s crucial for keeping up with inflation, managing increased operating costs and making up for decades of underfunding amid statewide declining school enrollment.
After altering Iowa’s reproductive health care landscape in recent years through enacting a law restricting abortion access, state lawmakers will now see a new push to focus on the next target of anti-abortion advocates: the abortion pill.
As property tax relief is expected to be a top priority for lawmakers in both parties during the 2026 Iowa legislative session, state Democratic leaders are split on how to address the issue.
Voters in a Democratic-leaning West Des Moines-area district will pick a new state senator Tuesday in a special election that could allow Iowa Republicans to regain a supermajority in the chamber and secure the party’s grip on state government.
Tiffin Democrat Travis Terrell calls for a $20-an-hour federal minimum wage and tougher corporate accountability in his campaign for Congress, and Iowa Senate Democratic Leader Janice Weiner seeks another term after helping Democrats break GOP super majority.
Republican has decided to run again for a seat in the Iowa Legislature after spending the last few months visiting counties and speaking with Iowans.
Larry McKibben, a former state senator, longtime Marshalltown attorney and past member of the Iowa Board of Regents, died Sunday at age 78.
Iowa State Auditor Rob Sand's office plans to conduct an audit of Des Moines Public Schools following the arrest of former Superintendent Ian Roberts.
Democrat Mark Campbell has chaired the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission since 2021
Mike Klimesh faces daunting challenges, in his own caucus and throughout the Capitol, as he steps into the role of Iowa Senate Majority Leader.
Plus, the 2nd Congressional District Republican primary field is growing.
Iowa Sen. Mike Klimesh, of Spillville, is the new legislative agenda-setting leader of the Iowa Senate, as selected by his Republican colleagues Wednesday
“Senator Claire Celsi, our beloved wife, sister, mom, and grandma, has entered hospice care. Our family asks that you please respect our privacy during this difficult time,” Celsi’s family said in a statement issued through the Iowa Senate Democrats’ caucus spokesman.
Jack Whitver, the Iowa Senate Majority Leader who has been battling a brain tumor for more than a year, will not seek re-election and will step aside as leader, he announced Tuesday.
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