Iowa governor signs bill loosening child labor laws
May 26, 2023 GMTDES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa teenagers could work more jobs and for longer hours under a bill signed into law Friday by Gov. Kim Reynolds.
The Republican governor signed the law after it was approved by the Legislature earlier in May with only Republican support.
Iowa law limits gender identity instruction, removes books depicting sex acts from school libraries
May 26, 2023 GMTDES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa teachers will be banned from raising gender identity and sexual orientation issues with students through grade six, and all books depicting sex acts will be removed from school libraries, under a bill Republican Iowa Gov.
Iowa lawmakers close with private school funds, tax breaks
May 4, 2023 GMTDES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Iowa Legislature adjourned Thursday after approving most of the Republican majority's priorities, including using public money for private school tuition, banning gender-affirming care for transgender children, removing some books from school libraries and reorganizing state government in a way that gives the governor more power over top administrators.
Court rejects governor’s move to dismiss public records suit
April 15, 2023 GMTDES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Iowa Supreme Court on Friday refused to dismiss a lawsuit against Gov.
Thousands to lose aid under Iowa bill backed by lawmakers
April 13, 2023 GMTDES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Thousands of Iowa residents would be expected to lose Medicaid and food stamp benefits under a bill given final legislative approval Thursday and sent to Gov. Kim Reynolds.
The state House approved the bill, which would change eligibility requirements and require more checks that people qualify for benefits, ultimately resulting in the removal of an estimated 1% of recipients and saving the state roughly $8 million annually beginning in 2027.
Iowa lawmakers OK public money for private school students
January 24, 2023 GMTDES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Any Iowa student who wants to attend a private school could use public money to pay for tuition or other expenses under a plan passed Tuesday by the Legislature and quickly signed into law by Gov.
Iowa National Guard commander to retire in March
January 21, 2023 GMTDES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Iowa National Guard’s commander plans to retire this spring.
The Des Moines Register reported that Gov.
Iowa Gov. Reynolds seeks state funding for private schools
January 11, 2023 GMTDES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Every Iowa student would have the option of using more than $7,500 in state money annually to pay for private school under a plan Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds proposed Tuesday night in the annual Condition of the State speech.
Iowa judge blocks effort to ban most abortions in the state
December 13, 2022 GMTDES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — An effort to ban most abortions in Iowa was blocked Monday by a state judge who upheld a court decision made three years ago.
Sioux City still trying to get paid $11,000 for Trump rally
December 8, 2022 GMTSIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) — After a fair amount of haggling, Sioux City officials were able to get the people planning a rally featuring former President Donald Trump to pay a $5,000 bill the day before last month's event, but the city is still waiting on the U.S.
Iowa Gov. Reynolds named to lead Republican governors group
November 17, 2022 GMTDES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds was elected Wednesday to lead the Republican Governors Association as she increases her national political profile days after easily winning a second term as governor.
Former Trump adviser to lead Iowa Gov. Reynolds’ staff
November 15, 2022 GMTDES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds announced Tuesday she has chosen a former Trump administration State Department official to serve as her chief of staff.
Taryn Frideres, an Iowa native who has worked on Reynolds’ staff as chief operating officer for the past two years, will become the governor's chief of staff beginning Dec.
Bird flu cases prompt Iowa to limit movement of live birds
November 10, 2022 GMTDES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — An Iowa agriculture official on Thursday limited the movement of live birds in the state as a response to a return of bird flu with the fall migration of wild birds.
State Veterinarian Jeff Kaisand signed an order cancelling all events where live birds are brought together, including bird sales, auctions, swap meets and exhibitions.
Republicans defeat long-serving Democrats for AG, treasurer
November 9, 2022 GMTDES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Republicans strengthened their hold over Iowa politics in Tuesday's election by maintaining big majorities in the legislature and winning races for statewide offices, including attorney general and treasurer.
Iowa Republican Gov. Reynolds reelected over Democrat DeJear
November 9, 2022 GMTDES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Republican Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds won a second full term Tuesday, campaigning on a record of tax cuts and conservative handling of the state’s economy to defeat Democrat Deidre DeJear.
Iowa governor’s lawyer pushes for 6-week abortion ban
October 28, 2022 GMTDES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — An Iowa judge should allow a law passed in 2018 that bans most abortions to take effect, three years after the measure was ruled unconstitutional, lawyers for Gov. Kim Reynolds argued Friday.
Trump to rally in Iowa ahead of Nov. 8 as he teases 2024
October 26, 2022 GMTDES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Former President Donald Trump is scheduled to return to Iowa ahead of the Nov. 8 midterms, to headline a rally for Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds and Sen. Chuck Grassley, Trump's organization announced Wednesday.
Iowa candidates for governor clash on abortion, education
October 18, 2022 GMTJOHNSTON, Iowa (AP) — Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds and her Democratic challenger Deidre DeJear clashed on several issues, including abortion policy and school funding on Monday during their only scheduled debate before Election Day.
Iowa tops 10,000 COVID deaths as many residents unvaccinated
September 23, 2022 GMTDES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — More than 10,000 people have died with COVID-19 infections in Iowa, state officials reported this week.
Iowa data updated Wednesday shows 10,051 deaths associated with the viral infection.
Iowa abortion providers say no basis to enact near ban
September 14, 2022 GMTDES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Lawyers for Iowa’s largest abortion provider argued in court documents Tuesday that there's no precedent or legal support for bringing back a law banning most abortions, which a judge had permanently blocked in 2019.
Judge dismisses official’s lawsuit against Iowa governor
September 1, 2022 GMTDES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A state court judge has dismissed a lawsuit filed by a former state agency director who claimed Gov. Kim Reynolds fired him after he objected to her diverting federal Medicaid money to pay a member of her staff.
Iowa governor asks court to allow blocked 2018 abortion ban
August 11, 2022 GMTDES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds asked the state courts on Thursday to allow her to implement a law banning most abortions that a judge permanently blocked in 2019.
Iowa Democratic governor candidate pushes for 3 debates
August 9, 2022 GMTDES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa’s Democratic candidate for governor pressed Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds on Tuesday to commit to debates ahead of the November election.
Democrat Deidre DeJear said she has asked Reynolds for three debates but has received no response to multiple invitations with about 90 days to go until the election.
Iowa abortion provider drops challenge to 24-hour wait law
August 5, 2022 GMTDES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Planned Parenthood officials in Iowa said Friday they have decided to dismiss their challenge to an Iowa law that requires abortion patients to wait 24 hours after their initial appointment to return to the doctor to get an abortion.
Gov. Reynolds names judge to Iowa Supreme Court
July 27, 2022 GMTDES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Gov. Kim Reynolds named David May to the Iowa Supreme Court on Wednesday, making her fifth appointment to the seven-member court.
Reynolds chose May from among three finalists for a position that became vacant with the retirement of Justice Brent Appel.
Iowa governor to pursue abortion restrictions in courts
June 28, 2022 GMTDES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds said Tuesday she will move to end most abortions in the state by turning to the courts and asking them to relax the legal standard used to evaluate restrictions and to reverse a decision that halted a ban as early as six weeks into a pregnancy.
Reynolds expands deer hunting with semi-automatic rifles
June 21, 2022 GMTDES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa hunters will be able to use semi-automatic weapons including AR-15 rifles to kill deer in more parts of the state during a newly created antlerless season in January under a bill signed by Gov.
Bill puts two-year moratorium on new Iowa casino licenses
June 18, 2022 GMTCEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) — Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds has signed into law a measure that places a two-year moratorium on new casino licenses — a move the mayor of Cedar Rapids called “disappointing.”
The Cedar Rapids Gazette reports that an amendment to a larger gambling bill means regulators cannot issue any new licenses in Iowa until June 2024.
Democrat DeJear faces challenge to unseat Iowa Gov. Reynolds
June 8, 2022 GMTDES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — After running unopposed in Iowa's primary election, Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds holds a huge fundraising edge over Democrat Deidre DeJear in a state that has become increasingly friendly to conservative candidates.
Iowa Legislature ends session known for big tax cuts
May 25, 2022 GMTDES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa lawmakers ended their legislative session early Wednesday, about five weeks behind schedule because of a dispute over education spending.
The Senate and House adjourned just after midnight without reaching agreement on Gov.
House kills Reynolds’ plan to send $55M to private schools
May 23, 2022 GMTDES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Gov. Kim Reynolds' proposal to divert about $55 million from public schools to private school scholarships will not pass in the Iowa House because of a lack of Republican support, House Speaker Pat Grassley said Monday.
New Iowa law requires more ethanol in state’s gasoline
May 17, 2022 GMTPRAIRIE CITY, Iowa (AP) — Iowa is the first state in the nation to require most gas stations to sell fuel with at least 15% ethanol under a bill signed Tuesday by Gov. Kim Reynolds.
Reynolds signed the bill on a farm near Prairie City, about 20 miles east of Des Moines.
Iowa lawmakers OK bill mandating sale of E15 at gas stations
April 26, 2022 GMTDES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa would become the first state in the nation to require that gas stations have pumps selling fuel with at least 15% ethanol under a bill that received final legislative approval Tuesday.
Democrat Finkenauer asks Iowa justices to keep her on ballot
April 13, 2022 GMTDES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A lawyer for former Democratic Rep. Abby Finkenauer of Iowa asked the state Supreme Court on Wednesday to overturn a lower court judge's ruling that kicked her off the June primary ballot, saying she deserves the chance to vie for the chance to run against Republican Sen.
Democrat Finkenauer knocked off US Senate primary ballot
April 12, 2022 GMTDES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A state court judge has ruled that Democrat Abby Finkenauer cannot appear on the June 7 Iowa primary ballot for U.S. Senate because she didn't gather enough petition signatures, potentially knocking off the candidate considered by many to be the party’s best chance to unseat Republican U.S.
Iowa to close long-troubled center for disabled people
April 7, 2022 GMTDES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — An Iowa center for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities that has been the subject of persistent criticism and federal investigations will close, Gov.
Iowa GOP: Benefit cuts needed to spur people to take jobs
March 28, 2022 GMTDES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa is nearing passage of a dramatic reduction in unemployment benefits to try to force people to fill thousands of open jobs and reverse a trend in which the governor argues the state's “safety net has become a hammock."
Iowa budget panel: Tax cuts reverse revenue growth next year
March 10, 2022 GMTDES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A state panel responsible for tracking Iowa revenue trends said Thursday that growth continues at a good pace but that tax changes signed by Gov.
Republican Iowa Gov. Reynolds announces run for 2nd term
March 10, 2022 GMTDES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds launched her campaign for a second full term Wednesday night at a rally in Des Moines, touting her conservative agenda of cutting taxes, personal freedom from mandates and school choice.
Bird flu confirmed in northwest Iowa commercial turkey flock
March 7, 2022 GMTDES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Officials announced Monday that they have identified bird flu in a commercial flock of 50,000 turkeys in northwest Iowa, the state's second case of a virus that has been identified in multiple U.S.
Official: 6 dead as large tornado roars through central Iowa
March 6, 2022 GMTDES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Six people were killed Saturday when a tornado swept through central Iowa, damaging buildings and knocking down trees and power lines, authorities said.
Emergency management officials in Madison County said four were injured in addition to those killed when the tornado touched down in the area southwest of Des Moines at about 4:30 p.m.
Iowa governor signs restrictive transgender sports bill
March 3, 2022 GMTDES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds signed into law Thursday a bill that prohibits transgender females from participating in girls high school sports and women’s college athletics, rejecting opponents' argument that she would harm vulnerable children to solve a nonexistent problem.
Restrictive transgender sports bill heads to Iowa governor
March 2, 2022 GMTDES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa legislators on Wednesday gave final approval to a bill that would prohibit transgender females from participating in girls high school sports and women's college athletics, sending a divisive bill likely to draw legal challenges to the governor.
Iowa governor swipes at Biden leadership in GOP rebuttal
March 2, 2022 GMTDES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds, delivering the Republican rebuttal to President Joe Biden's State of the Union address Tuesday, painted the picture of a country in the grip of several crises as she hammered the president's leadership, notably on the world stage.
Iowa governor signs flat tax bill into law
March 2, 2022 GMTDES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds on Tuesday signed into law a bill that phases in a 3.9% flat tax over four years, eliminates taxes on retirement income and lowers taxes for corporations at an estimated overall cost of about $2 billion in lower annual total state income when fully implemented.
Auditor: Iowa Gov. Reynolds must return $450K in COVID funds
March 1, 2022 GMTDES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa's state auditor has again called for Gov. Kim Reynolds to return nearly $450,000 in federal coronavirus relief funds that were used to pay for 21 governor's office staff members for three months in 2020.
Iowa Legislature sends governor $2 billion flat tax measure
February 25, 2022 GMTDES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Iowa Legislature sent a bill to Gov. Kim Reynolds Thursday that creates a 3.9% flat tax in four years, eliminates taxes on retirement income and lowers taxes for corporations at an estimated cost of about $2 billion to a state with an annual $8 billion budget.
Iowa justices reconsider state constitution’s abortion right
February 23, 2022 GMTDES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa's Supreme Court heard arguments Wednesday about abortion restrictions Gov. Kim Reynolds signed into law, and many conservative justices deciding the case have replaced predecessors who affirmed four years ago that the state constitution guarantees women the right to have abortions.
Iowa COVID-19 deaths surpass 9,000 as hospitalizations drop
February 23, 2022 GMTDES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The number of coronavirus-related deaths in Iowa climbed past 9,000, the state health department reported Wednesday, even as hospitalizations continue to decrease in the state.
GOP leaders pick Iowa governor for State of Union response
February 22, 2022 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds will deliver the Republican response to President Joe Biden's State of the Union address on March 1, GOP congressional leaders announced Tuesday as they look outside Washington to appeal to voters in a midterm election year.
Court dismisses lawsuit from bars over brief virus shutdown
February 18, 2022 GMTDES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Iowa Supreme Court on Friday upheld the dismissal of a lawsuit filed against Gov. Kim Reynolds by a group of six Des Moines-area bars that challenged her brief shutdown of their businesses in August and September 2020 when COVID-19 was rapidly spreading.
Iowa House passes GOP drafted 4% flat tax plan
February 16, 2022 GMTDES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Iowa House passed a tax cut proposal Wednesday that would move the state to a 4% flat income tax over four years and repeal all state taxes on retirement income beginning next year.
Iowa lawmakers send 2.5% school funding increase to governor
February 14, 2022 GMTDES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Republicans in the Iowa Legislature are sending to Gov. Kim Reynolds a school funding bill that offers a 2.5% increase from the current year.
The Iowa Senate passed the bill Monday, adopting the House version of the bill approved last week.
Iowa courts to discontinue mask requirement
February 11, 2022 GMTDES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa courts are discontinuing the requirement to wear masks, Iowa Supreme Court Chief Justice Susan Christensen said Friday.
In an order effective Monday, Christensen said the mask requirement was put in place to address concerns with the rising delta variant and retained when the omicron variant followed.
Iowa House committee chair seeks investigation of judge
February 8, 2022 GMTDES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The chairman of the Iowa House Judiciary Committee said Tuesday that he's working to launch an investigation of a state court judge who was accused of trying to rig a judicial nomination to get a favored candidate appointed to the bench.
Iowa GOP tax cut plans raise concerns about long-term impact
February 5, 2022 GMTDES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Republicans have released three plans to cut taxes in Iowa and all share the common themes of phasing in a flat personal income tax and eliminating taxes on retirement income at a cost of billions of dollars to state revenue.
Iowa governor ending COVID public health emergency Feb. 15
February 3, 2022 GMTDES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds said Thursday she is calling an end to the coronavirus public health emergency, a move that will limit the release of state public health data but reflects the governor's long-held belief that it's time to move on from pandemic restrictions.
Iowa governor cancels public events due to illness
January 13, 2022 GMTDES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds canceled official activities on Thursday and Friday due to an illness, but her spokesman said she tested negative for COVID-19.
Reynolds was absent from the Condition of the Guard address Thursday morning in the Iowa House by Iowa National Guard Adjutant General Maj.
Iowa courts system seeks money to hire judges, give raises
January 12, 2022 GMTDES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa Chief Justice Susan Christensen on Wednesday called for a nearly 7% increase in the court system's budget for next year in hopes of increasing salaries and hiring judges, attorneys and other staff after a hiring freeze.
Reynolds backs $2B tax cut with changes to income tax rates
January 12, 2022 GMTDES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds proposed Tuesday night that Iowa cut taxes by nearly $2 billion by moving to a 4% flat income tax phased in over four years and repealing all state taxes on retirement income beginning next year.