Fact Checker Podcast

Gov. Kim Reynolds said earlier this month that state data has show an increase in “incidental” COVID-19 among hospitalized patients in Iowa in recent weeks when compared to hospitalizations rates in 2020. Incidental refers to patients who arrive at the hospital for other reasons, but test positive for the virus as part of routine screening.

We fact check the Iowa Senate Democrats tweet: “@KimReynoldsIA is proposing a budget cut to the already underfunded Iowa State Patrol. Kim Reynolds and Iowa Republicans are literally the only ones proposing to defund the police.”

As state lawmakers consider tax cuts, an Iowa senator claims, “Data has long shown the states with low or no income tax grow more quickly than states with high, punitive tax rates.” Academic consensus is less certain.

Rep. Cindy Axne, the Democrat representing Iowa’s 3rd Congressional District, touted her 2021 accomplishments in an end-of-year report published last month. The Gazette’s Fact Checker team takes a look at some of her claims.

Some statements in the 2022 Condition of the State address drew cheers, while others might have angered listeners. The Gazette Fact Checker checked 10 claims for accuracy.

U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson criticizes Biden administration for reported $450,000 payments to some immigrants separated from family members at the U.S. border in 2018. Were her claims accurate?