Government & Politics

Teacher shortages across the state have caused Iowa lawmakers to consider changes in teacher preparation and certification. But one education leader warns the state not to reduce preparation or mentoring if you want to retain teachers.

Iowa Republican U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley on Wednesday refrained from directly weighing in on whether the Republican National Committee was right to censure two House Republicans for participating in House Democrats’ investigation into the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol.

Although the bill doesn’t mention COVID-19, the bill, in general, would ban mask requirements as well as prohibit businesses and government entities from offering incentives to be vaccinated, and include penalties for policies resulting in “forced medical treatment.”

K-12 school funding will grow to $3.6 billion, about 44 percent of the state’s general fund budget, under a package approved by the Iowa House.

The Iowa Senate Ethics Committee unanimously dismissed an ethics complaint alleging Sen. Dan Zumbach used his position to pressure state employees to approve a cattle feedlot owned by his son-in-law.

More than 20 people spoke out for and against House File 2309, which would require any Iowa schools that get public funding to designate sports programs as one of the following: open to biological females, open to biological males or coeducational.

A lawmaker said livestreaming K-12 classes would nurture parental interest in education that increased when students were engaged in remote learning during the coronavirus pandemic.

Iowa Sen. Zach Wahls will seek re-election, Matt Pries will challenge Sen. Jack Whitver, and more endorsements for Abby Finkenauer in U.S. Senate race against Chuck Grassley.