State Government

The Iowa Attorney General’s Office is investigating whether the purchase of nearly 80 acres of Linn County farmland slated to be part of a solar project near Coggon violates state law prohibiting foreign ownership of agricultural land.

On the podcast this week, Steve King makes his return to Iowa politics with a presidential endorsement, and the sprint to the caucus finish, and a look to the legislative session.

Republicans say an overhaul of the state’s boards and commissions is long overdue; Democrats express concern that some reductions could impact the quality of professionals in Iowa and safety of Iowans.

Linn County asks the court to dismiss the lawsuit against it, Linn County Attorney Nick Maybanks and an assistant prosecutor, citing the alleged claims are vague and lacking law violations.

Iowa Democrats will push to reverse a decision from state officials to opt out of a federal food assistance program for low-income children. But one Republican said it’s unlikely his colleagues will pursue increasing funding for food assistance.

The warnings came during a public hearing in advance of a state board meeting Jan. 12 to review feedback and further consider rules for the implementation of a law - currently blocked by the courts -- that would ban most abortions after about six weeks of pregnancy.

Commenters on Wednesday said the proposed rules did not go far enough in clarifying the intent of the legislation and would lead to far too many books being removed from school library shelves.

The governor heard from groups requesting additional tax cuts, as well as support for child care, apprenticeships and mental health services during a public hearing Wednesday.

Secretary of State Paul Pate is imploring state lawmakers to pass legislation that would streamline the state’s recount process after inconsistencies were found during the 2020 recount of a historically close congressional election

Browse, sort or search State of Iowa employee salaries for fiscal year 2023.

School leaders ask state lawmakers to increase State Supplemental Aid by 5 percent, above the rate of recent increases.

Leaders of several states that have refused the money say they don’t need or want the handout from the Biden Administration, but children’s advocates say families are struggling and nonprofits can only do so much.