Federal Government

Iowa’s leaders are clashing over who’s to blame for the partial federal government shutdown. Iowa’s Republican U.S. House members say Democrats forced it; Democrats argue Republicans walked away from compromise, risking higher health costs for thousands of Iowans.

The federal government officially entered a shutdown at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2025. From Social Security checks and SNAP benefits to TSA lines, national parks and veterans’ services — here’s what stays open, what stops, and what’s at risk during a shutdown.

Former Superintendent Ian Roberts had been under the impression from a prior attorney that his immigration case was “resolved successfully,” said attorney Alfredo Parrish.

Linn-Mar Community School District says it will improve communication with parents after student-led announcements prompted a federal investigation request from U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson. LGBTQ advocacy groups defended the students’ right to free speech, citing state and federal protections for student journalism and warning that political attacks harm LGBTQ youth.

Several dozen Sioux City area residents showed up to the Woodbury County Law Enforcement Center on Saturday afternoon to show support for Des Moines Public Schools Superintendent Ian Roberts, who was arrested Friday by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and is being held in the jail.

The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights threatened this week to withhold millions in funding from the Cedar Rapids Community School District unless it severed partnerships and disbanded initiatives aimed at promoting equity for students and staff of color.

Iowa U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson is urging a federal investigation into Linn-Mar High School after student announcements marked “Bisexual Plus Awareness Week.” The district says it is reviewing the segment on student-run television programming.

Iowa families warn they could lose coverage or face massive premium hikes if Congress fails to extend health insurance subsidies. Democrats say Republicans are playing politics with health care as the shutdown fight escalates — while GOP leaders accuse Democrats of holding the government hostage.

Justin Glisan, the Iowa state climatologist since 2018, said Friday that he is preparing to help National Weather Service employees by taking some of their climate work if the federal government shuts down next week.

Iowa U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson slammed Democrats for treating Iowans’ health care as a “political game” rather than accepting a clean stopgap funding measure as Congress barrels toward a Sept. 30 shutdown deadline.

U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson’s announcement that she will not seek re-election to her seat, and instead will run to replace Joni Ernst in the U.S. Senate, opening Iowa’s 2nd District congressional race up for competition. Here’s who is — and isn’t — running for the seat.

Senate Republicans from farm states and soybean growers are sounding the alarm over President Donald Trump’s tariff policies, which they say are deepening economic pain in rural America.