News
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VIDEOS: Konfrst details how Republicans use abortion to play politics with Iowans’ lives
While Iowans await the Iowa Supreme Court’s decision on one of the strictest abortion bans in the country, House Minority Leader Jennifer Konfrst (D-Windsor Heights) detailed the ways Republican politicians use these bans to play politics with peoples’ lives and health. @iowastartingline While Iowans await the state’s Supreme Court decision on one of the strictest…
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As Iowa City and Linn-Mar prepare for drastic cuts, vouchers draw millions from state
The Iowa City and Linn-Mar school districts face a combined $10 million budget shortfall as the state continues to underfund public schools and funnel millions toward private school tuition. According to data from the Iowa Department of Education, 471 students who reside within the boundaries of the Iowa City School District received money from Gov.…
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Opinion: Johnson Co. supervisor: We’re still committed to affordable housing
This column, by Johnson County Supervisor Jon Green, is in response to a previous column by leaders from Escucha Mi Voz. On March 3, the Johnson County Board of Supervisors decided to shift funding in support of affordable housing from our American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) allocation to county general funds. We did so to…
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Biden announces new action to address gun sale loopholes
The announcement clarifies expanded legal requirements for gun sale licensing and cracks down on so-called “gun show” loopholes that allow buyers to evade background checks.
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Biden cancels student loan debt for 2,690 more Iowans
Friday’s announcement is just the latest round of student debt cancellation enacted by the Biden administration, which has approved relief for more than 4.3 million people so far, including 31,130 people in Iowa.
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Attorney tells Iowa Supreme Court abortion ban should stay blocked
The Iowa Supreme Court Thursday heard arguments concerning the injunction on the near-total abortion ban passed is a special session last summer. Peter Im, staff attorney at Planned Parenthood Federation of America, told the justices and reporters in a press conference afterward that allowing the ban to go into effect would be “devastating.” “It bans…
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Opinion: Johnson County wrong to halt affordable housing project
The following is an open letter from Escucha Mi Voz leaders to the Johnson County Board of Supervisors. Read a Johnson County supervisor’s response here. Escucha Mi Voz Iowa members urge you to immediately restore and restart the $1.5 million ARPA-funded affordable housing project you halted on April 3 without public notice or input. You…
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The Republican war on Medicare raises the stakes in 2024
Republicans have been trying to cut and/or privatize Medicare for decades. Their latest plan could lead to thousands of dollars in additional out-of-pocket costs for Iowa seniors.
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Abortion supporters rally before Iowa Supreme Court arguments
Abortion saved her life seven years ago and Leah Vanden Bosch is more grateful for it now than ever. Vanden Bosch, who serves as the development and outreach director for the Iowa Abortion Access Fund, said she’s more committed to the work than ever because she’s fully aware of how necessary it is. “This legislation…
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Iowa Senate passes bill to arm school staff, give legal immunity in shootings
Sen. Molly Donahue, a teacher, has more than a few ideas on how to make schools safer without arming teachers or other school staff. She shared them during Wednesday’s Iowa Senate debate on a bill to bring more guns into schools. “We could be investing far more funding in mental health resources to enhance access…
