Amid government funding cuts and hyper partisan politics, Iowa leaders in nonprofit and social service organizations say they must remain true to their missions. They made those comments during panel discussions that were part of The Gazette’s annual Iowa Ideas conference on Thursday.
Iowa Republican U.S. Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks on Friday blamed Democrats for the ongoing federal government shutdown, criticized efforts to extend Affordable Care Act tax subsidies, and expressed cautious support for President Donald Trump’s tariff-and-trade approach to aid struggling farmers.
Iowa farm leaders and Republican U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley are pressing President Donald Trump’s administration to take urgent action after China cut off purchases of American soybeans, threatening one of the state’s most important export markets.
The jail roster for the Woodbury County Law Enforcement Center no longer lists former Des Moines Superintendent Ian Roberts as a detainee. He had been jailed there, by the federal government, since last Friday.
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.
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