Caleb McCullough, Gazette-Lee Des Moines Bureau

Changes ‘put parents in driver’s seat,’ she says; opponents say LGBTQ kids targeted

Debt limit debate delaying work on bill in Congress

DeSantis poses the most significant challenge to former President Donald Trump, who currently leads Republican primary polling nationally and in Iowa. But his entry comes after half a dozen other Republicans also have entered the race -- fracturing the party’s anti-Trump bloc.

Some seek someone like Trump but less polarizing

The animal welfare law, just upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court, will cost the pork industry millions and drive up prices nationally, opponents say.

Surrounded by state and local law enforcement Tuesday, Gov. Kim Reynolds signed into law a bill that enhances penalties for distributing fentanyl. On the same day, U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst announced plans to introduce a bipartisan bill that would direct the Department of Defense to take stronger action against fentanyl trafficking.

Former President Donald Trump canceled a rally in Des Moines Wednesday, citing the possibility of severe weather as central Iowa is under a tornado watch until 7 p.m.

Iowa farm groups are decrying a U.S. Supreme Court ruling Thursday that upholds a California animal cruelty law that regulates livestock confinement practices. The law regulates the confinement practices of birthing sows, veal calves and egg-laying hens whose products are sold in California, including those produced outside the state.

Republican U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley said he received a letter Wednesday from the FBI in response to a request for records that allegedly describe an unspecified “criminal scheme” involving Democratic President Joe Biden.

Iowa lawmakers reshaped education and state government, restricted transgender youth and property taxes — and more

State lawmakers have completed their work for the year, concluding a session that was momentous and often contentious

Iowa’s Area Education Agencies would see a near $30 million budget cut at the same time they expect an increase in the number of private school students who need special education services under a proposed budget from statehouse Republicans.

The bill, as amended, no longer requires that caucus participants register with a party at least 70 days in advance of the caucuses. Instead, parties could determine their own participation rules for their caucuses.

Trump’s last visit the state was in March, where he took shots during a stop in Davenport at Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, another likely candidate in the Republican contest, who will be in Iowa the same day.

With the state budgeting process underway, lawmakers are hoping to finish that up and pass lingering policy bills by the end of the week.