Politics
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Why are there so many school bond referendums in Iowa?
There are 55 bond measures on the ballot for Iowa’s Nov. 4 election. Of those, 41 come from school districts that need improvements and renovations beyond what the state education budget can cover. It’s one of the largest bond cycles in state history—but what’s driving it?
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New report outlines impact of federal policy on rural America, from Iowa to Appalachia
The 2025 Rural Policy Action Report highlights struggles and solutions for small communities in Iowa and nationwide.
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Gwen Frisbie-Fulton: Local elections lead to practical solutions in Iowa
My neighbor Tamara is tired of politics; she tells me this all the time. She says she doesn’t watch the news except for the weather, and would rather read a good book instead. I get it, I tell her, as I drop off a paperback I just finished. But Tamara is also pretty fed up…
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Renee Hardman chosen as Iowa Democrats’ nominee to replace Claire Celsi
Iowa Democrats have chosen West Des Moines City Council Member Renee Hardman as the party’s nominee for a coming special election for an Iowa legislative seat left vacant by the death of Sen. Claire Celsi. Hardman defeated four other candidates at an Oct. 21 special nominating convention to win the Democratic nomination. She promised to…
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Clara Reynen wants to AI-proof Iowa City
The Iowa City City Council candidate wants to bring her library background into city government. When Clara Reynen turned 18, she asked her parents if it would be OK for her to skip school that day because she had something important she wanted to do: Register to vote. “So there’s this great picture of me…
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Miller-Meeks campaign says payment was ‘mistakenly’ made to son
A $3,500 payment from US Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks’ campaign to her son was a mistake, her campaign says—money that should have come from her personal account, not from campaign donors. US Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks paid her son $3,500 from her campaign account for “consulting,” according to the most recent quarter’s campaign finance report. Twenty-two days…
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Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate warns of texts impersonating officials, candidates
by Robin Opsahl, Iowa Capital Dispatch October 15, 2025 Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate issued a warning for Iowans Wednesday about reported mass texts impersonating elected officials and candidates. The state elections official said fraudulent messages were reported in Franklin, Johnson, and Madison counties. According to a news release, the mass texts from “an…
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Big harvest no comfort to Iowa farmers, who worry about another Farm Crisis
President Donald Trump is expected to announce soon that his administration will send billions of dollars in assistance to farmers.
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Sen. Claire Celsi remembered for her passion and outspokenness
The Democratic state senator from West Des Moines died on Oct. 6 after a bout with an undisclosed illness. West Des Moines resident Al Womble will always remember the first time he met Iowa Sen. Claire Celsi. Womble, a union organizer by trade, was an active volunteer in the Iowa Democratic Party and its Polk…
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Hundreds gather for ‘protective accompaniment’ event outside Cedar Rapids ICE office
More than 200 people rallied at Escucha Mi Voz Iowa’s “protective accompaniment” event on Wednesday to support families and individuals during their routine immigration check-ins at Cedar Rapids ICE Field Office.
