Government & Politics

A divided Iowa Supreme Court last week upheld two laws restricting firearm access, one related to domestic violence protective orders and the other to possession of illegal drugs while carrying a weapon.

Alsoin this week’s Government Notes, an Interstate 380 off-ramp at North Liberty will close this week.

On July 1, Iowa will join 30 other states in outlawing any phone use while driving that isn’t hands-free. The law was passed earlier this year, and will replace Iowa’s current rules about phone usage while driving, which law enforcement officers say were difficult to enforce, since only texting was banned.

National bus tour rolls through Cedar Rapids to rally opposition to Trump’s tax breaks and spending cuts package

July 1 is the beginning of the fiscal year and the date new laws take effect, unless otherwise stated. Iowa’s majority-Republican General Assembly this year passed more than 170 laws dealing with education, firearms, crime, health care, paid family leave and more. Here’s what goes into effect this week.

Republican Iowa House Speaker Pat Grassley announced Friday he will seek re-election to the Iowa House, forgoing a run for governor in 2026.

And if such a move upsets national Democrats, ‘I don’t care,’ says new Iowa House Democrats leader Brian Meyer

The Auditor of State's Office released the re-audit this week. It was requested after the long-awaited city-backed grocery store at 221 Franklin St. in Waterloo suddenly closed its doors after less than a year in business.