Capitol Notebook: Iowa state lawmaker Celsi enters hospice care, family says

DES MOINES — Iowa Sen. Claire Celsi, of West Des Moines, has entered hospice care, her family said Thursday in a statement.

Celsi, who is 49 years old, has served in the Iowa Senate since 2019. A Democrat, she represents Senate District 16, which includes portions of West Des Moines, Clive and Windsor Heights.

Celsi missed a portion of the 2025 legislative session with an undisclosed ailment.

“Senator Claire Celsi, our beloved wife, sister, mom, and grandma, has entered hospice care. Our family asks that you please respect our privacy during this difficult time,” Celsi’s family said in a statement issued through the Iowa Senate Democrats’ caucus spokesman.

Celsi, a Des Moines native, owns her own consulting firm. She has two daughters and one grandchild.

The Iowa Democratic Party posted a statement on social media saying, “Our hearts are with Senator Claire Celsi today, and we send strength and comfort to her loved ones during this difficult time.”

Iowa’s unemployment, workforce participation rates tick up

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Iowa’s unemployment and labor force participation rates both increased slightly in August, according to state data.

Iowa’s unemployment rate was 3.8 percent in August, up from 3.7 percent the month prior, according to data from Iowa Workforce Development. The number of unemployed Iowans increased to 65,800 in August, up from 64,900 in July.

Meantime, Iowa’s labor force participation rate was 67.5 percent in August — up from 67.4 percent the previous month — after 1,900 people joined the labor force, according to state figures.

Iowa’s unemployment rate remains below the national average, which also ticked up by a tenth of a percentage point to 4.3 percent in August.

“August saw growth in both the number of Iowans in the labor force and the total number of working Iowans,” said Beth Townsend, executive director of Iowa Workforce Development. “Likewise, we’ve also seen a more than 10 percent reduction in the number of unemployment claims from the same time last year. Our investments in helping people find new jobs or the next job are paying off, and if you find yourself in that category, we can help. Visit IowaWORKS.gov or come and see us at one of our 15 American Job Centers located around the state.”

Iowa House Democrats issued a statement critical of the state’s job numbers and statehouse Republicans.

“Instead of focusing on job growth and fixing an economy that is the worst in the nation, Republican lawmakers have pursued tax cuts for corporations and the richest Iowans, instead of investing in middle-class families,” said Iowa Rep. Brian Meyer, D-Des Moines, the House Democrats’ leader. “Today’s workforce report proves they’re abandoning Iowa’s workers.”

Bird letter calls on colleges to protect free speech

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In the wake of the shooting death of conservative activist and personality Charlie Kirk, Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird has written a letter — cosigned by 16 other Republican attorneys general — calling on colleges and universities to protect free speech on their campuses, the AG’s Office said.

The letter is written from the Iowa Attorney General’s Office and is addressed to, “Presidents and Deans of Universities and Colleges.”

“The tragedy of Charlie Kirk’s assassination is a sobering reminder that the right to free speech must be protected,” Bird said in a press release. “Charlie was murdered while debating on a university campus, a place where the free exchange of ideas should be encouraged; we cannot allow the actions of an assassin to stop free speech in any way. Colleges and universities must take steps to keep their students safe while preserving free discussion and open debate.”

Gazette-Lee Des Moines Bureau

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