Week in Iowa, Dec. 10, 2023: Recap of news from across the state

Satanic Temple display vandalized: A display of Baphomet installed by the Satanic Temple at the Iowa State Capitol was vandalized and destroyed this past week. State police arrested Michael Cassidy, a 35-year-old from Mississippi, and charged him with fourth-degree criminal mischief.

The Satanic Temple Iowa placed the display after applying to the Department of Administrative Services, which allows groups and individuals to hold events and displays at the Capitol. One Republican lawmaker argued the display should be taken down despite the protections afforded by the First Amendment. Others said the display is constitutionally protected religious expression.

Haley accepts Iowa GOP debate: A CNN-hosted debate in Iowa that had been in limbo will continue as planned now that former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis have both accepted the invitations to debate. Former President Donald Trump is not likely to attend the debate.

Tax revenue to flatten: The tax revenues that fuel Iowa's budget will remain flat in the next fiscal year, according to estimates from a state panel. Income tax revenues will drop as tax cuts continue to take effect. But above-average sales tax revenues will keep overall income even in the next fiscal year.

Trump wants a caucus shutout: Former President Donald Trump urged supporters to come out in droves to support him at the Iowa caucuses Jan. 15, predicting a big win on caucus night. Trump leads his nearest rival, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, by 32 percentage points in the latest Iowa Poll.

Trump said at an Iowa rally last week his margin of victory will be important to solidify his status as the front-runner in the GOP presidential primary. Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird, who has endorsed Trump, said she hopes to beat the record margin of victory in a contested caucus of 12 points.

Iowa Poll finds Trump lead: The latest Des Moines Register/NBC News/Mediacom Iowa Poll released Monday showed former President Donald Trump has a commanding lead of Iowa caucusgoers' support just a month out from the contest. Trump had 51 percent support in the poll, followed by Ron DeSantis at 19 percent, Nikki Haley at 16 percent and Vivek Ramswamy at 5 percent. Chris Christie and Asa Hutchinson took 4 percent and 1 percent, respectively.

AG urges oil pipeline operation: Iowa Republican Attorney General Brenna Bird is leading a 26-state coalition asking the Army Corps of Engineers to allow the Dakota Access oil pipeline to continue operating. Bird said the pipeline supports jobs and generates property tax revenue that supports essential services.

  Buy Photo

They said ...

“We are ahead by a lot, but you have to go out and vote. … The margin of victory is so important. The more we win by, the more we have a voice. We have to put up big numbers.” -- former President Donald Trump at Coralville rally

“This morning we were informed by authorities that the Baphomet statue in our holiday display was destroyed beyond repair. We are proud to continue our holiday display for the next few days that we have allotted. We ask that for safety, visitors travel together and use the 7 Tenets as a reminder for empathy, in the knowledge that justice is being pursued the correct way, through legal means.” -- Satanic Temple Iowa on vandalism of Capitol display

Odds and ends

GOP forum canceled: The Brown & Black Forums of America canceled a planned presidential forum with Republican candidates after few candidates committed to attend. The Iowa-based nonpartisan group has hosted presidential candidate forums in the past and says it has "innovative projects and partnerships" planned for 2024.

Wichtendahl for House: Amy Wichtendahl, the first transgender person elected to office in Iowa, is running for a seat in the Iowa House. Wichtedahl, a Democrat and member of the Hiawatha City Council, is running for the seat currently held by Democratic Rep. Art Staed. He is running for the Iowa Senate in 2024.

Water cooler

Hospitals rebranding: When the University of Iowa next year finalizes its $28 million purchase of Mercy Hospital in Iowa City, it will rename it the “University of Iowa Health Care Medical Center Downtown” — officially ending the 150-year-old community hospital’s era. As part of a branding update released Thursday, UIHC also will rename its hospitals and clinics across from Kinnick Stadium the “University of Iowa Health Care Medical Center.”

UNI athletics: Faculty at the University of Northern Iowa are criticizing the administration for spending nearly $4.3 million in general funds on athletics in the 2023 budget year. The university's faculty union is calling for UNI to shift its athletics department to a self-supporting model.

  Buy Photo