Week in Iowa, Sept. 18, 2023: Recap of news from across the state

Donald Trump visits Iowa: Former President Donald Trump held campaign rallies in Maquoketa and Dubuque last week, renewing attacks on President Joe Biden and soliciting caucus commitments from attendees as he seeks to hold onto his outsized support in the first caucus state. The four-times indicted former president is leading in Iowa polls with around 50 percent of support.

Trump's visit comes after he said the six-week abortion ban that Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed this year is a "terrible mistake," which drew criticism from Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds, who signed a similar law in July. Trump's appointment of three conservative Supreme Court justices was instrumental in delivering the court decision that struck down federal abortion restrictions.

GOP candidates urged to back school choice: A national school choice advocacy group launched a TV and digital ad to spur support from Republican presidential candidates for school choice legislation. The federal legislation would add $5,000 to the $7,600 offered by Iowa's private school education savings accounts.

Fort Dodge prison warden resigns: The warden of Fort Dodge Correctional Facility resigned this month, just six months after starting the job. Kris Karberg began at the state prison in February after being transferred from the Anamosa State Penitentiary.

Thousands wrongly lost Medicaid: Thousands of Iowans lost Medicaid coverage because of an error in determining eligibility, federal Medicaid officials said this past week. The error affected mostly children, who generally have different eligibility standards from adults. Iowa officials said they would change their process following guidance from federal officials.

If Iowa officials cannot automatically determine eligibility for Medicaid, they send forms to families. If a form is not returned after multiple contacts, the whole household is disenrolled. This process has led to thousands of children, who would otherwise qualify under higher income thresholds, to lose their benefits, federal officials said.

Government could ignore records requests: Iowa's Public Information Board is considering a proposal that would allow government agencies to ignore a person's public records requests for up to a year if the agency and board determine them to be excessive or harassing. A government transparency advocacy group said the proposal would "seriously erode" the state's open records law.

Governor's husband diagnosed with cancer: Iowa first gentleman Kevin Reynolds, the husband of Gov. Kim Reynolds, has been diagnosed with lung cancer, the governor announced last week. Kevin Reynolds, who spent his career working in soil and water conservation, now sits on the preservation board for Terrace Hill, the governor's mansion. Kevin and Kim Reynolds married in 1982.

They said ...

"Our doctor has assured us that significant advancements in lung cancer treatment have been very effective and we have every reason to be optimistic. We are confident in our team as we begin treatment, and we will beat this together." — Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds on husband Kevin's cancer diagnosis

"While Iowa Republicans continue to add barriers to the ballot box, the reimagined Iowa caucuses will be the most inclusive process in history and our leaders in Black and Brown communities will guide us every step of the way." — Iowa Democratic Party Chair Rita Hart on the 2024 caucus

Odds and ends

University funding: Iowa's public universities scaled back their funding requests from state lawmakers after receiving no general funding increase from the state this year. The Board of Regents, which governs the state’s three public universities, asked the state for a combined $14.8 million in funding increases, compared to its $32 million request last year.

Democrats’ caucus date: Iowa Democrats will hold its party organizing caucuses on Jan. 15, the same day as Republicans. The party's central committee voted on the measure last weekend, but it has not decided when it will hold its mail-in presidential preference process.

Water cooler

Summer assistance: Around 240,000 Iowa children will receive $120 in food assistance to cover the past summer months as part of the Pandemic Electronic Benefits Transfer summer program. Anti-hunger groups and advocates urged Iowa officials to apply for the benefits earlier this summer.

Former senator dies: Dick Clark, a former U.S. senator from Iowa, died Wednesday at 95 at his home in Washington, D.C. A Democrat, Clark served one term in the Senate from 1973 to 1979. He campaigned by walking across the state, beating two-term Republican Jack Miller.