Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Voting Rights Act supporters rally outside Supreme Court as justices hear Louisiana case • Iowa Capital Dispatch

Iowa Capital Dispatch @iowacapitaldispatch.com · 16h

Oral arguments at the U.S. Supreme Court Wednesday drew protests from activists and lawmakers who warned the case threatens to gut a key provision of the Voting Rights Act, Ashley Murray reports.

Oral arguments in a voting rights case at the U.S. Supreme Court Wednesday drew protests from activists and lawmakers.

Iowa faculty, student groups 'reject' calls for universities to join federal compact • Iowa Capital Dispatch

1 3 5

Iowa Capital Dispatch @iowacapitaldispatch.com · 16h

A group representing faculty at each of Iowa’s public universities is speaking out against the higher education compact developed by President Donald Trump and his administration and touted by Iowa lawmakers, Brooklyn Draisey reports via Report for America.

A coalition of faculty and student groups at Iowa's public universities have spoken out against calls to join a new higher education compact.

Supreme Court seems open to limiting key voting protections in Louisiana redistricting case • Iowa Capital Dispatch

4 8

Iowa Capital Dispatch @iowacapitaldispatch.com · 17h

During arguments in a Louisiana case, U.S. Supreme Court justices seemed open to limiting the consideration of race in the redistricting process, a move that would undermine a key provision of the Voting Rights Act, Louisiana Illuminator reports.

U.S. Supreme Court justices seemed open to limiting the consideration of race in the redistricting process.

Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate warns of texts impersonating officials, candidates • Iowa Capital Dispatch

1

Iowa Capital Dispatch @iowacapitaldispatch.com · 18h

Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate issued a warning for Iowans Wednesday about reported mass texts impersonating elected officials and candidates, Robin Opsahl reports.

The mass texts impersonating elected officials and candidates were reported in Franklin, Johnson, and Madison counties.

Iowa State University presidential search team narrows candidate field • Iowa Capital Dispatch

Iowa Capital Dispatch @iowacapitaldispatch.com · 18h

Members of a panel tasked with selecting the crop of candidates to become Iowa State University’s next president are set to decide on finalists next week, having narrowed the field to eight semifinalists, Brooklyn Draisey reports via Report for America.

Eight semifinalists will undertake virtual interviews with the Iowa State University presidential search committee next week.

More Iowa detainees challenge immigration judges and Homeland Security • Iowa Capital Dispatch

2

Iowa Capital Dispatch @iowacapitaldispatch.com · 18h

Immigration judges are continuing to deny bond hearings for detainees in Iowa and throughout the country, despite being repeatedly overruled by federal district court judges, Clark Kauffman reports.

Immigration courts are continuing to deny bond hearings for detainees in Iowa, despite being repeatedly overruled by federal judges.

A closer look at what’s driving the rising rate of uninsured children • Iowa Capital Dispatch

Iowa Capital Dispatch @iowacapitaldispatch.com · 19h

Hundreds of thousands of more children in the United States are going without health insurance, and experts warn that actions by the Trump administration and Congress will likely make the problem worse, Public Health Watch reports.

The national uninsured rate for children and teens rose to 6% in 2024, up from 5.4% in 2023, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

BREAKING: Federal judge blocks Trump from carrying out thousands of layoffs during shutdown • Iowa Capital Dispatch

1 1 1

Iowa Capital Dispatch @iowacapitaldispatch.com · 19h

BREAKING: A federal judge issued a temporary restraining order Wednesday, blocking the Trump administration from moving forward with the thousands of layoffs it initiated after the government shutdown began, @JenniferShutt and @ArianaLFigueroa report.

A federal judge temporarily blocked the Trump administration Wednesday from moving forward with thousands of layoffs.

Can states, and a little bit of faith, convert church land into affordable housing? • Iowa Capital Dispatch

Iowa Capital Dispatch @iowacapitaldispatch.com · 20h

If the U.S. is to meet the nation’s demand for new apartments, developers are going to need land, experts say, and parcels owned by faith-based organizations are starting to become a part of the solution for some states, Stateline reports.

Yes In God’s Backyard? Some states hope so. Lawmakers see the potential for much-needed housing on church-owned land.

DNR monitoring hog manure spill and clean up in Carroll County • Iowa Capital Dispatch

1 1 1

Iowa Capital Dispatch @iowacapitaldispatch.com · 20h

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is investigating roughly 5,000 gallons of hog manure spilled in Carroll County, Cami Koons reports.

DNR responded to and is investigating a spill of roughly 5,000 gallons of hog manure that was spilled in Carroll County.

Congressional Hispanic Caucus protests GOP delay swearing in Rep.-elect Grijalva • Iowa Capital Dispatch

1 2 2

Iowa Capital Dispatch @iowacapitaldispatch.com · 21h

Outside the U.S. Capitol Wednesday, Rep.-elect Adelita Grijalva, who won her election last month and will become Arizona’s first elected Latina, said the House speaker’s delay in swearing her in was “intentional," Ariana Figueroa reports.

Rep.-elect Adelita Grijalva, who won her election last month, said the House speaker's delay in swearing her in was “intentional.”

Trump targets ‘Democratic programs’ as shutdown standoff heads for third week • Iowa Capital Dispatch

Iowa Capital Dispatch @iowacapitaldispatch.com · 1d

The U.S. Senate returned to Capitol Hill on Tuesday following a four-day weekend, but neither party appeared ready to work toward ending the government shutdown after another failed vote on a short-term funding bill, Jennifer Shutt and Ariana Figueroa report.

Neither party in the U.S. Senate appeared ready to work toward ending the shutdown after another short-term funding bill failed.

Iowa State University research shows nuance in memories of trauma • Iowa Capital Dispatch

2 4

Iowa Capital Dispatch @iowacapitaldispatch.com · 1d

An Iowa State University professor’s research, born from tragedies witnessed during Hurricane Katrina, has opened up a new theory as to how the mind captures memories of trauma, especially at a young age, Brooklyn Draisey reports via Report for America.

Research from an Iowa State University professor is showing the nuance behind recalling traumatic memories.

Environmental groups urge EPA to restore nitrate impairment designation on Iowa river segments • Iowa Capital Dispatch

Iowa Capital Dispatch @iowacapitaldispatch.com · 1d

Environmental groups penned a letter to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency urging the federal agency to maintain its previously rescinded ruling that seven segments of Iowa rivers were impaired due to nitrate concentrations, Cami Koons reports.

Environmental groups penned a letter to the EPA urging the federal agency to maintain that seven river segments are impaired.

Walz, other Dems criticize Trump over trade war’s impact on soy farmers • Iowa Capital Dispatch

1

Iowa Capital Dispatch @iowacapitaldispatch.com · 1d

Gov. Tim Walz joined other national Democratic leaders on a call Tuesday to highlight the threat to U.S. soybean producers from the Trump administration’s tariffs and international retaliation, Minnesota Reformer reports.

Gov. Tim Walz joined other national Democrats on a call Tuesday to highlight the effect of the Trump administration's tariffs on farmers.

UNI professor sues over alleged efforts to 'frame' her and drive her out • Iowa Capital Dispatch

Iowa Capital Dispatch @iowacapitaldispatch.com · 1d

A University of Northern Iowa professor is suing the university, alleging administrators waged a coordinated campaign to falsely “frame” her for disability discrimination while subjecting her to gender-based discrimination, Clark Kauffman reports.

A UNI professor alleges administrators falsely framed her for disability discrimination while subjecting her to gender-based discrimination.

JBS breaks ground on sausage plant in Perry • Iowa Capital Dispatch

Iowa Capital Dispatch @iowacapitaldispatch.com · 1d

JBS USA broke ground Tuesday on its “state of the art” sausage making facility and celebrated with city and state leaders a “turning point” for the Perry community, Cami Koons reports.

JBS USA broke ground on its sausage making facility and celebrated with city and state leaders a “turning point” for the Perry community.

Auditor Rob Sand cites 'concerns' on DMPS spending, welcomes 'valid' audit request • Iowa Capital Dispatch

Iowa Capital Dispatch @iowacapitaldispatch.com · 1d

Iowa Auditor Rob Sand said Tuesday he would welcome the opportunity to audit Des Moines Public Schools in the wake of former Superintendent Ian Roberts’ arrest — but said the request submitted by GOP lawmakers last week was invalid, Robin Opsahl reports.

Sand said the audit request made by three Republican state lawmakers was invalid, as a request must come from within the school district.

Competition in Big Tech is at stake as Trump seeks more control of FTC • Iowa Capital Dispatch

2 3

Iowa Capital Dispatch @iowacapitaldispatch.com · 2d

Antitrust experts say the administration’s hands-off approach to anti-competitive practices by big tech companies could end up hurting American companies’ ability to innovate and compete on a global scale, Paige Gross reports.

Antitrust experts say the administration’s hands-off approach to tech regulation could end up hurting American companies.

DMACC board approves extended presidential search process • Iowa Capital Dispatch

Iowa Capital Dispatch @iowacapitaldispatch.com · 2d

Des Moines Area Community College's board voted unanimously Monday to extend its presidential search and initiate a new search for an interim president, Brooklyn Draisey reports via Report for America.

The DMACC board of directors voted Monday to extend its presidential search and find an interim president for the first half of 2026.

Former U.S. Rep. Rod Blum ends 2nd Congressional District campaign • Iowa Capital Dispatch

Iowa Capital Dispatch @iowacapitaldispatch.com · 2d

Former U.S. Rep. Rod Blum announced Monday he is suspending his campaign for Iowa’s 2nd Congressional District, Robin Opsahl reports.

The former U.S. representative ended his campaign Monday, less than a month after he joined the 2nd Congressional District race.

Iowa AG joins brief supporting Tennessee law requiring social media age verification • Iowa Capital Dispatch

2 6

Iowa Capital Dispatch @iowacapitaldispatch.com · 2d

Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird joined an amicus brief Monday supporting a Tennessee law that requires social media companies to use age verification software. Social media companies are challenging the law, Robin Opsahl reports.

The filing was made in support of a Tennessee state law requiring social media platforms verify a user's age before approving their account.

Trump, U.S. leaders celebrate end of hostilities in Gaza • Iowa Capital Dispatch

Iowa Capital Dispatch @iowacapitaldispatch.com · 2d

After just over two years in Hamas captivity, the surviving Israeli hostages were released Monday as President Donald Trump visited Israel and Egypt to celebrate a U.S.-brokered peace deal to end the war in Gaza, Ashley Murray reports.

President Donald Trump visited Israel and Egypt to celebrate a U.S.-brokered peace deal to end the war in Gaza.

Lawsuit claims hospital CEO was often absent, put staff at risk • Iowa Capital Dispatch

Iowa Capital Dispatch @iowacapitaldispatch.com · 2d

The bankrupt Mercy Hospital of Iowa City is taking its former business partners, MercyOne and Catholic Health Initiatives, to court in a dispute over $55 million, Clark Kauffman reports.

The bankrupt Mercy Hospital of Iowa City is taking its former business partners to court in a dispute over $55 million.