State Government

The bill, which said it won’t apply in private schools, would require students and teachers to sing “at least one verse” of the anthem each day. Students and teachers would be allowed to opt out of singing the anthem, but they would be required to stand if able and remain silent while the anthem is sung.

The state has failed to find an Iowa nonprofit to oversee and administer a network of crisis pregnancy centers and maintain a record of the services provided to Iowans.

Proponents said the bill will help short-staffed child care centers have more flexibility to fill gaps, allowing 16- and 17-year-olds to cover breaks and nap times and assist in the care of more children.

The bill comes as Iowa nursing homes face heightened scrutiny after multiple reports in the last year of deaths, abuse and neglect at long-term care facilities.

Iowa Republican lawmakers advanced a series of bills Tuesday intended to crack down on the distribution of obscene material to minors online by criminalizing some AI-generated porn, enhancing penalties for providing pornographic materials to minors, and requiring some businesses and social media platforms to verify users’ age.

Proponents said the legislation would make housing more affordable, but critics argued it would drive long-term costs higher for taxpayers

Also, Iowa auditor Rob Sand released a report suggesting middle- and lower-income Iowans have a higher property tax burden than high-income wage earners

The suit argues that the House Clerk cannot deny credentials based on political viewpoint or on the type of media for which a journalist reports.

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds and Republican Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird, at an anti-abortion rally Monday, reaffirmed their commitment to defend Iowa’s halted law that bans abortions early in pregnancy.

People who assault police officers, firefighters, health care providers and other protected professionals would receive heightened sentences under a bill Iowa lawmakers advanced Monday.

State regulators recently fined a northeast Iowa woman $2,500 for numerous tire fires at her acreage that persisted for months despite warnings they are illegal, according to a recent Iowa Department of Natural Resources order.

Ryan Wise, former director of the Iowa Department of Education said he appreciates the “spirit” of Gov. Kim Reynolds’ proposal but says “very rapid changes could negatively impact schools and kids.”