State Newsmakers
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Auditor Sand proposes accountability measures, accountant incentive
Iowa Republicans have been at work limiting the powers of Iowa’s sole statewide Democrat Auditor Rob Sand. As the session opened, he released some proposals aimed at greater government accountability and addressing the accountant shortage. State Auditor Rob Sand won’t stop talking about PIE. His Public Innovations and Efficiencies program encourages local governments to find…
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Confident Republicans promise more of the same in 2025 legislative session, target local government
Republican legislators swaggered back to Des Moines with deeper ranks. Despite eight years of one-party rule, Iowa legislative Republicans say there’s more cuts to be made. The Iowa Capitol buzzed Monday morning, crowded with freshmen legislators jockeying for seat selections and bored family members waiting around for the swearing-in ceremony. With the sound of the…
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Republicans skip out on legislative forum
The Republican Party holds the reins of state government but skipped out on laying their priorities out in an open forum. Democratic leaders in the state House and Senate laid out opportunities for future work. Statehouse Republican leaders ghosted on an opportunity to answer questions about their plans for the coming legislative session. This was…
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Reynolds heads to Trumpland
After backing Donald Trump’s main rival Gov. Ron DeSantis in the Republican primary, Gov. Kim Reynolds heads to Mar-a-Lago with other Republican governors to bend the knee. Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds is off to President Donald Trump’s Palm Beach estate this week. Politico reported that this evening, Republican governors will dine with Trump at Mar-a-Lago. …
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Democrats will return to Des Moines with legislation to feed Iowa kids during the summer
While it needs Republican buy-in, Democrats in the Iowa Legislature plan to reintroduce Summer EBT bill that would have Iowa put $29 million to work feeding 240,000 kids. Child hunger continues to plague Iowa. According to Feeding America, 110,500 children—or 1 in 6 children in the state—do not have enough to eat. But Iowa has…
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Amid pressure, Ernst says she’ll ‘support’ Hegseth through nomination process
After a tough week, Sen. Joni Ernst is suddenly warming to Trump’s nomination of Pete Hegseth as US Secretary of Defense. This after intensive public campaign pressuring her to say ‘yes’ to the Fox News host. Since November, US Sen. Joni Ernst has been in the hot seat. For weeks, she’s been among the few…
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MAGA activists call for Kari Lake to primary Joni Ernst over Hegseth nomination
MAGA activists threaten to primary US Sen. Joni Ernst over her hesitation in backing controversial Trump pick Pete Hegseth. And they’re looking at the Iowa roots of a certain Arizona politician to make it happen. Back in 2020, Republican US Sen. Joni Ernst celebrated a seven percentage point victory to the chant of “six more…
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‘Pete or else!’: Ernst takes MAGA heat over Trump’s Hegseth nomination
The Republican base is targeting US Sen. Joni Ernst over her continued reticence to back Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump’s controversial nominee to run the Pentagon. Pete Hegseth has had a rough ride ever since President-elect Donald Trump put him on the road to be his defense secretary. Since the Fox News host was chosen,…
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Iowa AG Bird thinks a convicted criminal will make America safe
Attorney General Brenna Bird said that Republicans support putting criminals in jail while speaking in support of former President and convicted felon Donald Trump. Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird used her prime-time speaking slot at the Republican National Convention to frame former President Donald Trump as a law-abiding citizen who will protect Americans despite his…
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5 Iowa high school students taking the art world by storm
5 high school recipients received the prestigious Iowa Arts Scholarship. Here’s what you need to know about the students and the art scholarsip.
