Erin Murphy

There were 353 traffic deaths in Iowa in 2021, according to a preliminary figure from the state transportation department. That is the highest number of traffic fatalities in Iowa since 2017, when there were 402, and a nearly 6 percent increase over the previous year.

Waterloo Democratic Rep. Ras Smith announced Wednesday he was suspending his campaign for Iowa governor.

But details were scarce in interviews with the governor and legislative leaders on how to proceed. Any plans, apparently, will have to wait to cement during the legislative session.

But anyone seeking details on any of those plans will have to stay tuned. Specifics were scarce Tuesday, when Reynolds and legislative leaders participated in the Iowa Capitol Press Association’s annual legislative preview forum at the Iowa Capitol.

Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds and other GOP legislative leaders said they believe it is prudent to await court decisions on several challenges to federal vaccine mandates first.

An earlier proposal was supported by renewable fuels groups, but opposed by retailers and consumer choice advocates.

The refugees are settling in cities across the state, including Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, the Quad-Cities, Sioux City and Council Bluffs.

With the COVID-19 infection once again surging during the holiday season, we asked medical experts how Iowans can be safe in the coming weeks.

Senate Democrats will introduce legislation that would propose an amendment to the Iowa Constitution that would make marijuana legal.

Freshman Republican will keep her Ottumwa home but will move into new 1st District to run for re-election

The complaints put Iowa in line with disturbing national trends: two-thirds of state medical boards have experienced an increase in complaints relating to licensees disseminating false or misleading information.

Liquor sales topped $400 million for the first time with a total of $415.8 million worth of products containing alcohol consumed during the 12 months that ran from July 1, 2020, until June 30 of this year, according to the latest annual report issued Tuesday by the Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Division.

Changes to Iowa’s unemployment process --- including a doubling of the number of work searches a person must make in order to qualify for benefits --- will go into effect Jan. 9, the state announced Monday.

Community support, population shifts and whether a new casino would take business away from others in the region are factors state regulators would consider to approve a new casino in the Cedar Rapids area.

The Democrat was elected auditor in 2018, when he unseated a Republican incumbent. This year he weighed a run for governor in 2022.