Week in Iowa, Nov. 6, 2023: Recap of news from across the state

Reynolds backs DeSantis for president: Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds endorsed Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis for the Republican nomination for president, making a rare endorsement as a sitting governor. Reynolds said she endorsed because DeSantis is an effective leader who can beat Democratic President Joe Biden in a general election and accomplish conservative goals.

Reynolds' endorsement comes as DeSantis remains two dozen points behind former President Donald Trump in Iowa polling and former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley recently tied him for second place in the Iowa Poll. Reynolds previously said she would remain neutral in the caucus contest, but in recent months began to suggest she was considering endorsing a candidate.

Liberal candidates sweep school boards: Candidates backed by Democrats and opposed to recent Republican library book restrictions won most of the contested school board races in Iowa's suburban districts around Des Moines and Cedar Rapids, beating out conservative and Republican-backed candidates in nearly all contested races. The results come after local school board races have been galvanized around book bans, parental involvement and gender issues in recent years.

Iowa bank closes over trucking loans: Citizens Bank in Sac City was declared insolvent last week, becoming the first Iowa bank to close in over a decade. State Banking Superintendent Jeff Plagge said the bank failed because of loans made in the commercial trucking industry.

Regents submit DEI study: A study group convened by the Iowa Board of Regents submitted 10 recommendations of new policies for Iowa's public universities in response to criticisms the universities have faced from the Legislature. The study group focused on whether DEI efforts sustained their core mission, whether they were necessary, and whether any should be reduced or cut.

The recommendations include calls to restructure DEI departments to eliminate any functions that are deemed unnecessary, ensure they're available to all students, and prohibit employers from requiring a DEI statement and preferred pronouns for applicants.

Voters approve Des Moines airport bond: Polk County voters approved a bond referendum allowing the county to borrow up to $350 million to fund construction of the Des Moines International Airport's expansion. The county supervisors approved the bond request in August, and they said it was the cheapest way to finance the planned construction at the airport.

Bird flu spreads to Kossuth County: Gov. Kim Reynolds signed a disaster proclamation for Kossuth County after bird flu was found in a game bird breeding flock there. The disease has been found in a handful of Iowa flocks, but the state said it does not present an immediate public health concern.

They said ...

“To be quite honest, he is one of the most effective leaders I have ever seen. We need someone who will fight for you and win for you, someone who won’t get distracted but will stay disciplined, who puts his country first and not himself. That leader is Ron DeSantis.” -- Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds on Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis

"While Trump and the rest of the field droned on about how desperate they are to bring back the MAGA failures that rigged our economy for the biggest corporations and ripped away freedoms from millions of people, Iowans didn’t hear one real plan for growing the middle class, expanding access to health care, or improving public schools across the country." -- Iowa Democratic Party Chair Rita Hart on GOP presidential debate

Odds and ends

2024 watch: Five Republican presidential candidates met for the third presidential debate in Miami on Wednesday night. They made frequent mention of Iowa as each tries to appeal to the state's influential voters two months out from the first-in-the-nation caucuses.

Burgum slams debate rules: North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, who is running for president but failed to make the stage for Wednesday's debate, ran an ad in Iowa and New Hampshire slamming the Republican National Committee for imposing rules that kept him off the stage. Burgum has polled in the low single digits since entering the race.

Water cooler

AG files abortion bill brief: Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird filed the legal case her team will present to the Iowa Supreme Court when it hears arguments over legislation that would prohibit the vast majority of abortions in the state. The law is blocked in district court pending an appeal to the state Supreme Court over its constitutionality.

Monticello shooting: A Fareway worker in Monticello was fatally shot Tuesday in what police believe to be a random act. A Deleware County deputy shot the suspect, Nathan Russell, who was taken to a hospital and has not yet been charged.