Tom Barton

Also, senators intend to amend bill dissolving county compensation boards.

Republican former Vice President Mike Pence and GOP U.S. Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina are dipping their toes back into the 2024 waters, and Nikki Haley returning to Iowa.

Recent polling has shown nearly 80 percent of Iowans oppose the use of eminent domain for CO2 pipelines. But the issue has divided Iowa lawmakers from both parties who are trying to balance competing interests of protecting landowners’ property rights and also protecting the future of Iowa’s ag economy.

The veterans service and support organization recently opened in a new, larger location in northeast Cedar Rapids. The new building is located next to a city bus stop and it has a full commercial kitchen to help with serving meals. It also offers more recreational and family activities to hopefully bring in younger veterans an connect them to a services and support network.

The bill would allow Iowa cities to impose up to a 3 percent surcharge on retail, food, alcohol, ticket and hotel room sales to fund entertainment districts.

Ann Lebo, the former head of Iowa’s state education agency, who last month announced she was resigning to pursue other opportunities, now has a new job with the state.

A bipartisan pair of Iowa House lawmakers on Thursday announced the introduction a bill aimed at banning MLB TV blackouts in the state.

Iowa Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds on Wednesday signed into law a ban on gender-affirming care for minors, as well as transgender bathroom restrictions for schools.

Also, Senate passes bill to change SNAP and Medicaid eligibility

Iowa Republicans have pushed forward a bill that would change how county supervisors are elected in Johnson, Story and Black Hawk counties.

Legislation that would prohibit transgender youth from using school bathrooms and locker rooms that correspond with their gender identity is headed to Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds for her signature.

The Iowa House passed a more than 1,500-page bill that would cut the number of cabinet-level state agencies and eliminate hundreds of vacant positions. The bill now goes to Gov. Kim Reynolds for her signature.

Former President Donald Trump kicked off a rally in Davenport speaking about his accomplishments as president, including trade policies and agriculture Monday. It was Trump’s first visit to the state since announcing his campaign for the Republican presidential nomination in 2024.

Iowa Democrats and some state employees say they’re concerned a bill that was introduced to reorganize state government will cut too many employees from Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation Services, which could eliminate federal funding and reduce the services available to some Iowans.

Emboldened by six years of conservative reforms under their belts and multiple elections that expanded their majorities in the House and Senate, Iowa Republicans have felt empowered to push a more conservative agenda. It coincides with the 2024 GOP race for president, softening the ground for candidates to campaign on the same themes.