After the arrest of former Des Moines schools superintendent Ian Roberts over questions about his immigration and work authorization status, Gov. Kim Reynolds ordered all state agencies to use federal verification systems to confirm employment and licensing eligibility. The move has reignited debate over whether Iowa should mandate E-Verify statewide — and how reliable the system really is.
Articles Tagged: Iowa Legislature
State Government Oct. 13, 2025 8:35 am20d ago
Gov. Kim Reynolds on Thursday set a special election date for Tuesday, Dec. 30, to fill the Iowa Senate seat vacated with former Sen. Claire Celsi’s death.
State Government Oct. 10, 2025 7:58 am23d ago
Iowa Senate Republicans called for an audit of Des Moines Public Schools after the arrest of former superintendent Ian Roberts — prompting pushback from State Auditor Rob Sand. Also in this week’s Capitol Notebook: Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird joins a multistate coalition backing Trump’s National Guard deployments.
Higher Ed Oct. 10, 2025 8:03 am23d ago
A year after the University of Northern Iowa established its new Center for Civic Education in response to directives from the Board of Regents and lawmakers, the center this week landed a $1.22 million American History and Civics Education-Seminars grant from the U.S. Department of Education.
State Government Oct. 9, 2025 11:31 am24d ago
Gov. Kim Reynolds on Wednesday ordered all state agencies to use E-Verify and SAVE to confirm employment and immigration eligibility for new hires and professional licenses. The move follows the arrest of former Des Moines schools superintendent Ian Roberts, which exposed verification gaps and reignited debate over whether Iowa should mandate E-Verify statewide.
Maya Marchel Hoff, Gazette-Lee Des Moines Bureau
State Government Oct. 7, 2025 3:12 pm26d ago
Democratic Iowa state Sen. Claire Celsi, of West Des Moines, died Monday, after spending weeks in hospice care, her daughter confirmed in a social media post.
K-12 Education Oct. 6, 2025 7:42 am27d ago
The vitally important role school business officials play in Iowa can be difficult to fill, especially in Iowa’s rural schools.
State Government Oct. 3, 2025 6:32 pm29d ago
General fund revenue for the Iowa state budget year that ended in June was nearly $200 million less than projected by a nonpartisan state panel in March, according to final numbers published this week.
Higher Ed Oct. 6, 2025 8:08 am27d ago
The state of Iowa has both a need and an opportunity to start offering four-year bachelor’s degrees across its 15 community colleges — like those offered on its public and private college and university campuses, according to a final investigative report that lawmakers commissioned over the summer.
Health Care and Medicine Oct. 3, 2025 7:51 am30d ago
Iowa’s Medicaid program is projected to face tens of millions in deficits in coming years. State Auditor Rob Sand accused Republican leaders of irresponsible budgeting, while GOP lawmakers argue the state’s reserves can cover rising costs.
State Government Oct. 3, 2025 8:05 am30d ago
Democrat Mark Campbell has chaired the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission since 2021
State Government Oct. 2, 2025 7:48 am31d ago
Mike Klimesh faces daunting challenges, in his own caucus and throughout the Capitol, as he steps into the role of Iowa Senate Majority Leader.
Campaigns & Elections Sep. 26, 2025 4:00 am37d ago
Plus, the 2nd Congressional District Republican primary field is growing.
State Government Sep. 24, 2025 6:30 pm38d ago
Iowa Sen. Mike Klimesh, of Spillville, is the new legislative agenda-setting leader of the Iowa Senate, as selected by his Republican colleagues Wednesday
State Government Sep. 19, 2025 5:57 pm43d ago
Rockwell City Republican resigns House seat to take job as state director for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Iowa Rural Development office.

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