Week in Iowa, July 24, 2023: Recap of news from across the state

RAGBRAI draws huge crowds: Tens of thousands of cyclists passed through 30 Iowa towns on a 500-mile ride across the Hawkeye State this past week on RAGBRAI. The annual ride began in Sioux City on July 23 and finished off in Davenport on Saturday, taking riders through Storm Lake, Carroll, Des Moines, Coralville and other cities.

The year marked the 50th anniversary for the Des Moines Register's annual ride, which began in 1973. Some 60,000 riders made the 50-mile journey from Ames to Des Moines in what was believed to be the ride's largest single-day showing.

Anti-Trump PAC rolls out advertising: The Republican Accountability PAC announced a $1.5 million ad campaign targeting former President Donald Trump. The campaign features testimonials from Republican voters who voted for Trump twice but do not plan to support him in the 2020 Republican primary.

Candidates speak to Des Moines crowd: Thirteen GOP presidential candidates gave their pitch to Iowa Republicans at the state party's annual Lincoln Dinner on Friday. The sold-out fundraiser offered candidates 10 minutes to speak, and several candidates invited guests to reception suites after the dinner portion of the event wrapped up.

Kim Reynolds announces ‘Fair-Side Chat’ list: Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds will interview nearly every major Republican presidential candidate during her "Fair-Side Chat" series at the Iowa State Fair, with one notable exception: Former President Donald Trump. Trump has faced criticism for attacking Reynolds over staying neutral in the GOP primary contest.

Reynolds will interview Larry Elder, Doug Burgum, Mike Pence, Francis Suarez, Vivek Ramaswamy, Nikki Haley, Ron DeSantis, Asa Hutchinson, Ryan Binkley, Tim Scott, Perry Johnson and Will Hurd over five days at the fair. The interviews will take place at JR's SouthPork Ranch.

State senator arrested on RAGBRAI: Iowa state Sen. Adrian Dickey, a Republican from Packwood, was arrested for refusing a sheriff sergeant's orders to clear a road on the RAGBRAI route in rural Sac County. Dickey was charged with a simple misdemeanor and released from jail on a $300 bail.

Quad Cities hosts annual Bix 7: The Quad Cities hosted the annual Bix 7, a seven-mile road race in Davenport. The race coincided with the arrival of RAGBRAI in Davenport, making for a busy and festive weekend in the Quad Cities.

They said …

"We have a constitutional responsibility of oversight. And the inquiry stage is just to put more resources behind all these questions that haven't been properly answered yet.” — U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley on the possibility of the House starting an impeachment inquiry of President Joe Biden.

“I am so proud that I get to have the opportunity to introduce these candidates to Iowans at an event so near and dear to my heart. The Iowa State Fair showcases the best of Iowa — from our people to our culture and wonderful agriculture industry — and it’s the perfect venue for a conversation with the candidates.” — Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds on State Fair interview series with Republican presidential candidates.

Odds and ends

Grassley on impeachment: Iowa U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley stopped short of endorsing the opening of an impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden, but he said the effort would give House Republicans access to information they don't currently have. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy floated the idea last week over investigations into Biden's family.

Abortion law appeal: The Iowa Supreme Court said Gov. Kim Reynolds can proceed with an appeal of a district court's injunction on a six-week abortion ban she signed into law this month. The law remains on hold, but the Supreme Court will review the temporary block and may eventually issue a new standard that will govern abortion laws in Iowa.

Water cooler

Professor sentenced: A former University of Iowa music professor was sentenced to 25 years in prison on charges related to drug distribution that resulted in a death, and possession of child pornography.

Unborn tax credit: Iowa U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson, a Republican, announced legislation that would extend the existing child tax credit to unborn children. The credit would apply retroactively after the child is born, and the proposal would also put in work requirements for parents to take advantage of the tax credit.