Iowa Supreme Court: Sioux City school board meetings were legally closed • Iowa Capital Dispatch The Sioux City school board did not violate the Open Meetings Law when discussing a former superintendent, the Iowa Supreme Court has ruled.

The Sioux City Community School District and its board members did not violate the Iowa Open Meetings Law during a closed-door evaluation of former superintendent Paul Gausman, the Iowa Supreme Court has ruled, Clark Kauffman reports. iowacapitaldispatch.com/2026/04/17/i...

State auditor loses battle over access to City of Davenport tapes • Iowa Capital Dispatch The Iowa Supreme Court has blocked the state auditor's access to City of Davenport records about $1.9 million in taxpayer-funded settlements.

The Iowa Supreme Court has blocked efforts by the state auditor to access City of Davenport communications about $1.9 million in taxpayer-funded settlements, Clark Kauffman reports. iowacapitaldispatch.com/2026/04/17/s...

Iowa State University research links pollinators and prairie plants in creating biodiversity • Iowa Capital Dispatch Iowa State University researchers have linked pollinator and prairie plant diversity through study of prairies outside of Ames.

Iowa State University researchers have identified a causal relationship between pollinators and plant biodiversity — one they say could lead to a “plant-pollinator extinction vortex,” if not addressed, Brooklyn Draisey reports via Report for America. iowacapitaldispatch.com/2026/04/17/i...

Democrats outraise GOP incumbents in 2 House races, Hinson leads in Senate funds • Iowa Capital Dispatch The most recent FEC reports show Democratic challenges raising more than Republicans in two highly competitive U.S. House races.

Iowa Democratic candidates in two competitive congressional races outraised GOP incumbents in the first quarter of 2026— but in the U.S. Senate race, Republican Ashley Hinson stayed in the fundraising lead, Robin Opsahl reports. iowacapitaldispatch.com/2026/04/17/d...

Fire chief billed taxpayers for personal expenses, Eldridge officials claim • Iowa Capital Dispatch The Eldridge fire chief, fired last year from his job as a city mechanic for misuse of public funds, has been denied unemployment benefits.

The fire chief for the City of Eldridge, fired last year from his job as a city mechanic for the misuse of public funds, is not entitled to unemployment benefits, a judge has ruled, Clark Kauffman reports. iowacapitaldispatch.com/2026/04/17/f...

National Guard 'follows the Constitution,' general says of troops possibly deployed to polls • Iowa Capital Dispatch The National Guard’s top general said it would follow the Constitution and the law if troops are ordered to polling places for the midterms.

The National Guard’s top general told Congress on Friday that it would follow the Constitution and the law when he was asked about the possibility President Donald Trump would order troops to polling places for the midterm elections, Jonathan Shorman reports. iowacapitaldispatch.com/2026/04/17/r...

Psychologist charged with incompetence for the second time in three years • Iowa Capital Dispatch For the second time in three years, a central Iowa psychologist is facing disciplinary charges of incompetence.

For the second time in three years, a central Iowa psychologist is facing disciplinary charges of incompetence, Clark Kauffman reports. iowacapitaldispatch.com/2026/04/17/p...

GOP-led states move to punish enforcement of red flag gun orders • Iowa Capital Dispatch A growing number of states are outlawing red flag gun orders meant to take guns from people at imminent risk of hurting themselves or others.

A growing number of states are outlawing “red flag” orders meant to quickly — and temporarily — take guns from people at imminent risk of hurting themselves or others, Stateline reports. A bill passed the Iowa House this session but stalled in the Senate. iowacapitaldispatch.com/2026/04/17/r...

Limits on speech rights for military retirees at issue in Sen. Kelly case against DOD • Iowa Capital Dispatch Sen. Mark Kelly’s legal team is urging a federal appeals court to let him keep his retirement military rank and pay as a lawsuit proceeds.

U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly’s legal team is urging a federal appeals court to uphold a ruling that allows the former Navy captain to keep his retirement rank and pay while his First Amendment case against the Pentagon moves forward, Jennifer Shutt reports. iowacapitaldispatch.com/2026/04/17/r...

Iowa Senate passes bill setting tax, regulations on hydrogen extraction • Iowa Capital Dispatch The Senate passed the measure related to hydrogen drilling, despite some concerns from landowners that it could violate property rights.

The Senate approved legislation Thursday aimed at regulating oil and gas drilling amid discussions on the potential for starting to extract geological hydrogen in Iowa. iowacapitaldispatch.com/2026/04/16/i...

Trump picks new director for Centers for Disease Control and Prevention • Iowa Capital Dispatch President Donald Trump on Thursday said he will nominate Erica Schwartz to lead the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

President Donald Trump on Thursday said he will nominate Erica Schwartz, who served in the president’s first administration, to lead the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a seat left vacant for months, Ashley Murray reports. iowacapitaldispatch.com/2026/04/16/r...

US House Dems at ag hearing excoriate Trump cuts proposed for farm and food aid • Iowa Capital Dispatch Democrats on a U.S. House spending panel slammed President Donald Trump’s proposed cuts to farm and nutrition programs.

Democrats on a U.S. House spending panel slammed President Donald Trump’s proposed cuts to farm and nutrition programs Thursday, as Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins pledged to address concerns from both parties, Jacob Fischler reports. iowacapitaldispatch.com/2026/04/16/r...

Homeland Security’s SAVE program divides election officials as November nears • Iowa Capital Dispatch U.S. House Administration Committee hearing Thursday underscored the partisan divide over the Department of Homeland Security’s SAVE program.

As the midterms approach, Republican and Democratic election officials are split over a powerful federal computer program at the center of President Donald Trump’s quest to expose noncitizen voters, Jonathan Shorman reports. iowacapitaldispatch.com/2026/04/16/r...

With GOP defections, US House passes bill extending legal status for 350,000 Haitians • Iowa Capital Dispatch The U.S. House on Thursday passed a measure that would extend Temporary Protected Status for Haiti for three years.

The U.S. House on Thursday passed a measure that would extend Temporary Protected Status for Haiti for three years, Shauneen Miranda reports. iowacapitaldispatch.com/2026/04/16/r...

Hospital worker fired after she was twice accused of being drunk at work • Iowa Capital Dispatch A western Iowa mental health professional was fired from a hospital last year after being accused of twice showing up for work drunk.

A western Iowa mental health professional was fired from a hospital last year after being accused of twice showing up for work drunk, Clark Kauffman reports. iowacapitaldispatch.com/2026/04/16/h...

‘Shirtless in a hot tub with Kid Rock’: Democrats in Congress question RFK Jr. priorities • Iowa Capital Dispatch Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. told lawmakers he’s not pleased with spending cuts to food aid.

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. testified before Congress on Thursday that he’s not pleased with how spending cuts to food aid will affect his efforts to bolster healthy eating habits, Jennifer Shutt reports. iowacapitaldispatch.com/2026/04/16/r...

Clarke University eliminates debt with alumna's gift • Iowa Capital Dispatch Clarke University has used a $5 million alumni gift to eliminate its long-term debt, the Dubuque university announced.

With a multi-million dollar gift from an alumna, Clarke University announced it has wiped out all long-term debt, Brooklyn Draisey reports via Report for America. iowacapitaldispatch.com/briefs/clark...

Facing charges of lascivious acts, fired schoolteacher wins jobless benefits • Iowa Capital Dispatch An Iowa teacher who was fired after being charged with lascivious acts is entitled to collect unemployment benefits, a judge has ruled.

An Ankeny school teacher who was fired after being criminally charged with lascivious acts involving a child is entitled to collect unemployment benefits, a judge has ruled, Clark Kauffman reports. iowacapitaldispatch.com/2026/04/16/f...

US House narrowly defeats resolution limiting Trump war powers • Iowa Capital Dispatch A war powers resolution gained a handful of votes in the U.S. House on Thursday, though still falling just short of passage.

The approval gap on President Donald Trump’s war in Iran narrowed slightly Thursday in the U.S. House, when a War Powers Resolution gained a handful of votes, though still falling just short of passage, Ashley Murray reports. iowacapitaldispatch.com/2026/04/16/r...

Nearly 1 in 4 people seeking abortions out of state chose Illinois. Here’s why. • Iowa Capital Dispatch A recent report found that 1 in 4 people traveling to another state for an abortion end up in Illinois, which has invested in support.

Illinois is the destination for nearly 1 in 4 people traveling to another state for abortion care, according to a report from the Guttmacher Institute, Kelcie Moseley-Morris reports. iowacapitaldispatch.com/2026/04/16/r...

Iowa House advances group of citizenship verification and immigration bills • Iowa Capital Dispatch Two of the measures relate to verifying the citizenship of Iowans as they seek driving, professional or occupational licenses.

Iowa House lawmakers approved a series of bills Wednesday related to immigration checks and requirements during licensing processes, Robin Opsahl reports. iowacapitaldispatch.com/2026/04/15/i...

Iowa House passes sales tax exemption for nuclear energy facilities • Iowa Capital Dispatch The legislation comes as a business seeks to restart the Duane Arnold Energy Center in Palo, which ceased operations in 2020.

The Iowa House approved a bill Wednesday that would give nuclear energy facilities an exemption on sales and use taxes, Robin Opsahl reports. iowacapitaldispatch.com/2026/04/15/i...

Johnson County sued over 36-year-old jail inmate's death • Iowa Capital Dispatch Johnson County is being accused of negligence in a lawsuit over the alcohol-withdrawal death of a 36-year-old jail inmate.

Johnson County is being accused of negligence in a lawsuit over the alcohol-withdrawal death of a 36-year-old jail inmate, Clark Kauffman reports. iowacapitaldispatch.com/2026/04/15/j...

State universities see flat funding under House GOP budget bill • Iowa Capital Dispatch Despite concerns of policy attachments and status quo funding, a House subcommittee approved a bill setting state education appropriations.

Iowa House legislation setting state appropriations for education systems and programs passed through subcommittee Wednesday, despite concerns from lawmakers of status quo funding and attached policy language, Brooklyn Draisey reports via Report for America. iowacapitaldispatch.com/2026/04/15/s...

Tax Day 2026: Democrats and Republicans battle over impact of new Trump tax cuts • Iowa Capital Dispatch The 2026 tax filing season closed Wednesday with Republicans hailing success under last year’s massive tax cuts law.

The 2026 tax filing season closed Wednesday with Republicans hailing success under last year’s massive tax cuts law, while Democrats said any benefits have been wiped out by skyrocketing gas prices, inflation and more, Ashley Murray reports. iowacapitaldispatch.com/2026/04/15/r...

US Senate again rejects attempt to limit Trump action in Iran • Iowa Capital Dispatch The latest effort to force President Donald Trump to seek congressional approval for further war actions in Iran failed in the U.S. Senate.

An effort to force President Donald Trump to seek congressional approval for further war actions in Iran failed in the U.S. Senate for the fourth time Wednesday, with all but one Republican continuing to support the conflict, Ashley Murray reports. iowacapitaldispatch.com/2026/04/15/r...

Sand, Feenstra launch campaign ads as race rated 'toss-up' by political forecasters • Iowa Capital Dispatch The two advertisements come shortly after political forecasters signaled they believe the race may be more competitive than expected.

Iowa Auditor Rob Sand and U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra launched political ads for their gubernatorial campaigns Wednesday as political pundits predict a tighter 2026 race than previously expected, Robin Opsahl reports. iowacapitaldispatch.com/2026/04/15/s...

Trump’s budget director defends ‘out of whack’ defense spending boost to skeptical Dems • Iowa Capital Dispatch The White House budget director on Wednesday defended the administration’s request for a 43% increase in defense spending.

The White House budget director, in a House hearing Wednesday, defended the administration’s request for a 43% increase in defense spending and a 10% cut to domestic programs, Jennifer Shutt reports. iowacapitaldispatch.com/2026/04/15/r...

Cited for sexual abuse and 23 other violations, nursing home is fined $500 • Iowa Capital Dispatch A nursing home cited for 24 regulatory violations, including the sexual abuse of a resident, has been fined a total of $500 by the state.

A western Iowa nursing home cited for 24 regulatory violations, including the sexual abuse of a resident, has been fined a total of $500 by the state, Clark Kauffman reports. iowacapitaldispatch.com/2026/04/15/c...

Iowa Board of Regents to consider optional tuition guarantee program • Iowa Capital Dispatch The Iowa Board of Regents will consider changes to its policy manual at its April meeting alongside potential approval of tuition rates.

The Iowa Board of Regents is proposing the establishment of an optional tuition guarantee program and three-year moratorium on academic building construction, Brooklyn Draisey reports via Report for America. iowacapitaldispatch.com/2026/04/15/i...