Iowa Capital Dispatch
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Community journalism for democracy. We're a non-profit news site dedicated to hard-hitting and fair coverage of state government and politics.
Need a good read while you’re traveling over the river and through the woods to Grandmother’s house for the holidays? Here are some holiday-related stories and columns to keep your spirits bright.
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iowacapitaldispatch.com/2025/12/25/m...
Merry Christmas! Here are some great reads for the holiday • Iowa Capital Dispatch
Merry Christmas! Here's something to read before you settle your brain for your long winter's nap.
iowacapitaldispatch.com
December 25, 2025 at 6:11 PM
Need a good read while you’re traveling over the river and through the woods to Grandmother’s house for the holidays? Here are some holiday-related stories and columns to keep your spirits bright.
iowacapitaldispatch.com/2025/12/25/m...
iowacapitaldispatch.com/2025/12/25/m...
President Donald Trump for now has not met the requirements to send National Guard troops to Chicago, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled Tuesday afternoon in a major setback for the president, Jacob Fischler reports.
US Supreme Court in defeat for Trump blocks deployment of National Guard in Chicago • Iowa Capital Dispatch
President Donald Trump for now has not met the requirements to send National Guard troops to Chicago, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled Tuesday.
iowacapitaldispatch.com
December 23, 2025 at 11:03 PM
President Donald Trump for now has not met the requirements to send National Guard troops to Chicago, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled Tuesday afternoon in a major setback for the president, Jacob Fischler reports.
President Donald Trump’s administration will start garnishing the wages of student loan borrowers in default beginning early next year, the U.S. Education Department said Tuesday, Shauneen Miranda reports.
Trump administration to garnish wages for defaulted student loans • Iowa Capital Dispatch
President Donald Trump’s administration will start garnishing the wages of student loan borrowers in default beginning early next year.
iowacapitaldispatch.com
December 23, 2025 at 10:43 PM
President Donald Trump’s administration will start garnishing the wages of student loan borrowers in default beginning early next year, the U.S. Education Department said Tuesday, Shauneen Miranda reports.
The Iowa Utilities Commission will have to decide whether Summit Carbon Solutions can change the ending destination for its carbon sequestration pipeline before a case against the company’s permit can proceed, an Iowa court ruled, Cami Koons reports.
Judge pauses Summit opponents' lawsuit while proposed permit changes proceed • Iowa Capital Dispatch
The IUC will have to decide on a permit amendment for Summit Carbon Solutions before a case against the permit can proceed.
iowacapitaldispatch.com
December 23, 2025 at 8:26 PM
The Iowa Utilities Commission will have to decide whether Summit Carbon Solutions can change the ending destination for its carbon sequestration pipeline before a case against the company’s permit can proceed, an Iowa court ruled, Cami Koons reports.
The U.S. Department of Justice early Tuesday released thousands more files related to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, with several referencing President Donald Trump, Shauneen Miranda reports.
Trump appears in several files of latest Epstein release • Iowa Capital Dispatch
The Justice Department released thousands more files related to Jeffrey Epstein, with several referencing President Donald Trump.
iowacapitaldispatch.com
December 23, 2025 at 7:58 PM
The U.S. Department of Justice early Tuesday released thousands more files related to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, with several referencing President Donald Trump, Shauneen Miranda reports.
Social workers nationwide directed furious complaints toward their national association, demanding accountability, transparency and an external review of finances, Kansas Reflector reports.
Social workers question spending, standards and 'harmful dynamics' at national association • Iowa Capital Dispatch
Social workers nationwide directed furious complaints toward their national association, demanding accountability, transparency.
iowacapitaldispatch.com
December 23, 2025 at 6:03 PM
Social workers nationwide directed furious complaints toward their national association, demanding accountability, transparency and an external review of finances, Kansas Reflector reports.
Animal-welfare advocates say that while one of Iowa’s biggest puppy-mill operators is no longer licensed, he is still selling dogs and has ramped up the illegal practice of puppy laundering, Clark Kauffman reports.
ASPCA says unlicensed Iowa breeder is still selling dogs and violating the law • Iowa Capital Dispatch
Animal-welfare advocates say an unlicensed puppy-mill operator in Iowa is still selling dogs and is engaged in puppy laundering.
iowacapitaldispatch.com
December 23, 2025 at 4:06 PM
Animal-welfare advocates say that while one of Iowa’s biggest puppy-mill operators is no longer licensed, he is still selling dogs and has ramped up the illegal practice of puppy laundering, Clark Kauffman reports.
U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis will retain an order keeping the wrongly deported El Salvador national Kilmar Abrego Garcia out of federal custody for the rest of the year, the judge said at a Monday hearing, Ashley Murray and Jacob Fischler report.
Kilmar Abrego Garcia to remain free from immigration custody for now • Iowa Capital Dispatch
A federal judge will retain an order keeping Kilmar Abrego Garcia out of federal custody for the rest of the year.
iowacapitaldispatch.com
December 22, 2025 at 10:34 PM
U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis will retain an order keeping the wrongly deported El Salvador national Kilmar Abrego Garcia out of federal custody for the rest of the year, the judge said at a Monday hearing, Ashley Murray and Jacob Fischler report.
Eligible Iowa households can receive a monthly allotment to spend on certain food items at the grocery store throughout the summer now that Iowa plans to participate in the federal summer feeding program, Cami Koons reports.
Iowa to scrap Healthy Kids Iowa in favor of federal, summer feeding program • Iowa Capital Dispatch
Gov. Kim Reynolds said Iowa will participate in the USDA's summer feeding program, which the state has opted out of the past two years.
iowacapitaldispatch.com
December 22, 2025 at 9:46 PM
Eligible Iowa households can receive a monthly allotment to spend on certain food items at the grocery store throughout the summer now that Iowa plans to participate in the federal summer feeding program, Cami Koons reports.
Jefferson County is the target of a federal lawsuit involving allegations of slander, unfair hiring practices, electronic eavesdropping and paramedics having sex in the county’s ambulance barn, Clark Kauffman reports.
Paramedic sues over claims of electronic eavesdropping, sex in the workplace • Iowa Capital Dispatch
Jefferson County is the target of a lawsuit over allegations of electronic eavesdropping and paramedics having sex in the ambulance barn.
iowacapitaldispatch.com
December 22, 2025 at 9:21 PM
Jefferson County is the target of a federal lawsuit involving allegations of slander, unfair hiring practices, electronic eavesdropping and paramedics having sex in the county’s ambulance barn, Clark Kauffman reports.
The University of Dubuque is expanding its efforts to instill values of character, identity and purpose in students through a partnership with the LearningWell Coalition, Brooklyn Draisey reports via Report for America.
University of Dubuque expands character and purpose education with new partnership • Iowa Capital Dispatch
The University of Dubuque has joined the LearningWell Coalition to help expand education on character and purpose for students.
iowacapitaldispatch.com
December 22, 2025 at 8:07 PM
The University of Dubuque is expanding its efforts to instill values of character, identity and purpose in students through a partnership with the LearningWell Coalition, Brooklyn Draisey reports via Report for America.
President Donald Trump’s administration said Monday it’s halting leases for five large-scale offshore wind projects under construction along the East Coast due to national security risks, Shauneen Miranda reports.
Trump administration pauses major East Coast offshore wind projects • Iowa Capital Dispatch
President Donald Trump’s administration said Monday it’s halting leases for five large-scale offshore wind projects along the East Coast.
iowacapitaldispatch.com
December 22, 2025 at 8:01 PM
President Donald Trump’s administration said Monday it’s halting leases for five large-scale offshore wind projects under construction along the East Coast due to national security risks, Shauneen Miranda reports.
Oregon grows more Christmas trees than any other state in the country, and researchers are looking into how they can keep the state’s Christmas tree industry alive for decades to come, Oregon Capital Chronicle reports.
Oregon grows more Christmas trees than other states. Climate researchers want to keep it that way • Iowa Capital Dispatch
Oregon grows more Christmas trees than any other state in the country, selling 3 million trees in 2023, according to the latest federal data.
iowacapitaldispatch.com
December 22, 2025 at 6:51 PM
Oregon grows more Christmas trees than any other state in the country, and researchers are looking into how they can keep the state’s Christmas tree industry alive for decades to come, Oregon Capital Chronicle reports.
A new report from the Prison Policy Initiative says menstruation is still regularly treated as a disciplinary matter in jails and prisons, even in facilities that provide free products, Stateline reports. iowacapitaldispatch.com/2025/12/21/r...
Incarcerated women often don’t have enough period products • Iowa Capital Dispatch
Many incarcerated women face challenges accessing menstrual products, even in facilities that provide them for free.
iowacapitaldispatch.com
December 21, 2025 at 9:52 PM
A new report from the Prison Policy Initiative says menstruation is still regularly treated as a disciplinary matter in jails and prisons, even in facilities that provide free products, Stateline reports. iowacapitaldispatch.com/2025/12/21/r...
Some states are cracking down on aggressive driving, including requiring installation of speed limiting devices in the vehicles of drivers with multiple speeding or reckless driving violations, Stateline reports.
States crack down on aggressive driving • Iowa Capital Dispatch
Some states now require the installation of speed limiting devices in the vehicles of drivers with multiple violations.
iowacapitaldispatch.com
December 21, 2025 at 9:46 PM
Some states are cracking down on aggressive driving, including requiring installation of speed limiting devices in the vehicles of drivers with multiple speeding or reckless driving violations, Stateline reports.
Gov. Kim Reynolds appointed two new Iowa Board of Regents members, she announced Friday: Steve Lacy, a former media executive and Peter Cownie, a former state lawmaker, Cami Koons reports.
Gov. Kim Reynolds appoints two Iowa Board of Regents members • Iowa Capital Dispatch
Steve Lacy, a former media executive and Peter Cownie, a former state lawmaker, were appointed to the Iowa Board of Regents Friday.
iowacapitaldispatch.com
December 20, 2025 at 2:39 AM
Gov. Kim Reynolds appointed two new Iowa Board of Regents members, she announced Friday: Steve Lacy, a former media executive and Peter Cownie, a former state lawmaker, Cami Koons reports.
Drake University is working to launch a new degree program aimed at preparing students who want to dedicate themselves to helping “people with disabilities in living full and self-directed lives," Brooklyn Draisey reports via Report for America.
Drake University to offer new degree in disability, rehabilitation services • Iowa Capital Dispatch
Drake University announced it will offer a new degree program in disability and rehabilitation services in the spring.
iowacapitaldispatch.com
December 19, 2025 at 10:33 PM
Drake University is working to launch a new degree program aimed at preparing students who want to dedicate themselves to helping “people with disabilities in living full and self-directed lives," Brooklyn Draisey reports via Report for America.
An Iowa nursing home where gift cards for residents were stolen has been fined $500 by the state, Clark Kauffman reports.
Care facilities fined $500 each for abuse, death and use of physical restraints • Iowa Capital Dispatch
Iowa nursing homes were fined $500 each this past month for instances of resident abuse, a resident death and improper use of restraints.
iowacapitaldispatch.com
December 19, 2025 at 10:29 PM
An Iowa nursing home where gift cards for residents were stolen has been fined $500 by the state, Clark Kauffman reports.
Iowans eligible for a federal utility assistance program are applying for assistance at higher rates this winter than last year, according to some distributors, Cami Koons reports.
Utility assistance applications rising in Iowa with cold weather season • Iowa Capital Dispatch
Iowans eligible for a federal utility assistance program are applying for assistance at higher rates this winter.
iowacapitaldispatch.com
December 19, 2025 at 7:54 PM
Iowans eligible for a federal utility assistance program are applying for assistance at higher rates this winter than last year, according to some distributors, Cami Koons reports.
As pennies vanish from the American landscape, many businesses are clamoring for federal guidance on how to handle cash transactions in a penniless world, Stateline reports.
Without pennies, should retailers round up or down? States offer their 2 cents. • Iowa Capital Dispatch
Calls from businesses for federal guidance on how to handle the elimination of the penny have so far gone unanswered, pushing some states to take up the issue.
iowacapitaldispatch.com
December 19, 2025 at 6:59 PM
As pennies vanish from the American landscape, many businesses are clamoring for federal guidance on how to handle cash transactions in a penniless world, Stateline reports.
The Department of Justice is expected to release records Friday related to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, but questions remained over whether officials will meet legal requirements, Ashley Murray reports.
Criticism erupts after DOJ official says some Epstein files will emerge after deadline • Iowa Capital Dispatch
The Justice Department is expected to release some Epstein records Friday, but questions remained about it will meet legal requirements.
iowacapitaldispatch.com
December 19, 2025 at 6:55 PM
The Department of Justice is expected to release records Friday related to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, but questions remained over whether officials will meet legal requirements, Ashley Murray reports.
Iowa’s Office of Ombudsman, which investigates complaints related to local and state government, saw an almost 10% increase in cases opened during the last fiscal year, Clark Kauffman reports.
Report: Iowa ombudsman's office handled 6,266 complaints last year • Iowa Capital Dispatch
Iowa’s ombudsman's office, which investigates complaints against local and state government, saw an almost 10% increase in cases last year.
iowacapitaldispatch.com
December 19, 2025 at 6:45 PM
Iowa’s Office of Ombudsman, which investigates complaints related to local and state government, saw an almost 10% increase in cases opened during the last fiscal year, Clark Kauffman reports.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said late Thursday she was suspending applications for a diversity visa program because the suspect in shootings at Brown University obtained a green card through the program in 2017, Ariana Figueroa reports.
Trump administration moves to pause diversity visa program after Brown, MIT shootings • Iowa Capital Dispatch
The Trump administration said it's pausing a diversity visa program used by a suspect in the Brown university shootings in 2017.
iowacapitaldispatch.com
December 19, 2025 at 4:40 PM
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said late Thursday she was suspending applications for a diversity visa program because the suspect in shootings at Brown University obtained a green card through the program in 2017, Ariana Figueroa reports.
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources confirmed Thursday that Canada geese at two southern Iowa lakes tested positive for highly pathogenic avian influenza, Cami Koons reports.
State reports bird flu outbreak in geese at two southwest Iowa lakes • Iowa Capital Dispatch
DNR confirmed Thursday that Canada geese at two southern Iowa lakes tested positive for highly pathogenic avian influenza.
iowacapitaldispatch.com
December 18, 2025 at 11:02 PM
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources confirmed Thursday that Canada geese at two southern Iowa lakes tested positive for highly pathogenic avian influenza, Cami Koons reports.
The U.S. House on Thursday passed, 211-204, a bill to remove Endangered Species Act protections for the gray wolf outside Alaska, Jacob Fischler reports. All of Iowa's representatives voted for the bill.
US House passes bill to remove gray wolf from Endangered Species Act list • Iowa Capital Dispatch
The U.S. House on Thursday passed, 211-204, a bill to remove Endangered Species Act protections for the gray wolf outside Alaska.
iowacapitaldispatch.com
December 18, 2025 at 10:47 PM
The U.S. House on Thursday passed, 211-204, a bill to remove Endangered Species Act protections for the gray wolf outside Alaska, Jacob Fischler reports. All of Iowa's representatives voted for the bill.