From separate events Thursday, Gov. Kim Reynolds, Congresswoman Ashley Hinson, and Tom Vilsack — the former Iowa governor and USDA secretary — all discussed how to manage farm labor amid the hard-line deportation policy of the Trump administration.
Also in the Capitol Notebook, Iowa is partnering with a nonprofit organization that provides mentoring and STEM education for high-achieving math students in the state.
Tom Vilsack, former governor of Iowa and head of the U.S. Department of Agriculture for 12 years, said Thursday that Iowa leaders need to look toward “and” conversations rather than “or” discussions to solve some of the state’s biggest issues.
The Center for Worker Justice of Eastern Iowa, an Iowa City-based nonprofit, has announced it is permanently closing its doors after it was unable to resolve conflicts with its union staff members.
While Iowa’s problems are uniquely severe, nitrate levels are a rising concern in other regions, from California to the Chesapeake Bay.
Karina Cooper, accused of fatally shooting her husband in 2021, testified the majority of her affair with Huston Danker was “online” and she didn’t think he was serious about killing her husband. After the murder, she said she didn’t tell police becuase she was scared of Danker.
A U.S. Department of Defense “deferred resignation program” has pushed the U.S. Army Cadet Command to cut its civilian workforce 12 percent — or 168 positions — shrinking its ROTC footprint through closures and reclassifications, including three in Iowa.
The University of Iowa will exit its 66-year lease of the 485-acre Macbride Nature Recreation Area when it expires July 1, 2029 after an in-depth review found maintaining the historic land will cost an immediate $14.8 million in repairs and upgrades.
Iowa nonprofits that provide support and services to Iowans with complex mental health challenges say they are alarmed and concerned by plans to end a state program that provides holistic care coordination for children and adults with mental health conditions, with little notice given.
Marion residents were able to meet Wednesday evening with four candidates who the city has identified as candidates to fill the position of police chief, vacated by Chief Mike Kitsmiller when he retired in the spring. The candidate who is ultimately selected will lead the department of 48 sworn officers, 10 dispatchers and six civilian employees.
“While the encouragement and momentum have been phenomenal, the fundraising simply hasn’t reached the level necessary to run a competitive campaign at this time.”
Around a dozen community members showed up for public comment at the Coralville City Council meeting Tuesday night to share their concerns about resident privacy should the city begin using license plate reader cameras.
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