Week in Iowa, Nov. 27, 2023: Recap of news from across the state

Two lawsuits filed against Iowa book ban: Two lawsuits were filed this past week that target Iowa's Senate File 496, which bans books with sexual content from Iowa school libraries and prohibits instruction on gender identity and sexual orientation before seventh grade. The lawsuits argue the law violates First Amendment rights to receive information.

The first lawsuit, brought by the ACLU of Iowa and Iowa Safe Schools, includes transgender and nonbinary students who say they have faced discrimination and restrictions because of the law. The second lawsuit, brought by Penguin Random House and a number of bestselling authors, argues against only the law's library restrictions.

UNI approaches fundraising goal early: The University of Northern Iowa is two years ahead of schedule on its long-term comprehensive fundraising project. The university has already raised $187 million toward its $250 million goal by 2026, but officials said they do not plan on ending fundraising early.

Grassley aims for compromise on border: Iowa U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley cautioned House Republicans against holding out for perfect border security legislation as Senate Democrats and Republicans negotiate over the key Republican priority. The Biden administration has asked Congress for a $106 billion package that includes aid to Israel, Ukraine, Taiwan and border security.

Iowa gambling revenues drop: Iowa's gambling receipts from sports betting dropped in fiscal 2023 for the first time since the Legislature legalized the practice in 2019. Iowa gamblers wagered more than $4 billion at casinos and online sportsbooks that year.

Overall casino gambling revenue also dropped for the first time in the last decade, excluding the worst pandemic year. Iowa's revenue from gambling fell 0.7 percent from last year to $1.754 billion.

Ron DeSantis completes 99-county tour: Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis held a rally Saturday in Jasper County, completing his tour of all 99 counties in Iowa. The rally at the Thunderdome in Newton was set to include DeSantis' top Iowa backers, including Gov. Kim Reynolds and Family Leader CEO and President Bob Vander Plaats.

Incorrect Powerball numbers: An Iowa Lottery error led to the wrong numbers being reported for Monday night's Powerball drawing. The error was fixed after seven hours, and included prizes ranging from $4 to $200. Anyone who cashed in prizes with the incorrect numbers will be allowed to keep their money, Iowa officials said.

They said ...

"Protecting children from pornography and sexually explicit content shouldn't be controversial. The real (controversy) is that it exists in elementary schools. Books with graphic depictions of sex acts have absolutely no place in our schools." -- Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds on book ban lawsuit

“Government authorities cannot violate the First Amendment right to free speech by pretending that school grounds are constitutional no-fly zones.” -- Dan Novack, vice president and associate general counsel at Penguin Random House

Odds and ends

2024 watch: Americans for Prosperity, the influential Koch brothers network, endorsed former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley for president last week, putting their organizational and financial might behind the candidate as she seeks to topple former President Donald Trump in the Republican primary.

Rand Paul aids Ernst: Kentucky U.S. Sen. Rand Paul performed the Heimlich maneuver on Iowa U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst on Thursday when she choked on food during a closed-door lunch. Ernst later joked on social media she was choking on "woke politics."

Water cooler

Toddler overdose case: Two Davenport residents will receive jail time after they were charged in the 2021 death of their 22-month-old child who overdosed on fentanyl. Tyler Akright and Malea Wilson, both 26, received a plea agreement that sentenced them each to up to 17 years of prison time.

Ramaswamy targets pipeline: Presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy took aim this past week at the proposed construction of carbon capture pipelines in Iowa, criticizing Iowa Republican leaders who he said are supporting the projects against the wishes of Iowa voters. He said he opposes the use of eminent domain to construct the projects.