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.
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A federal judge in Maryland seemed inclined to order the release of Kilmar Abrego Garcia from immigration detention after oral arguments in court Friday, a potentially major development in the high-profile case, Ariana Figueroa reports.
Judge weighs Kilmar Abrego Garcia’s release from immigration detention • Iowa Capital Dispatch
A federal judge in Maryland seemed inclined Friday to order the release of Kilmar Abrego Garcia from immigration detention.
iowacapitaldispatch.com
iowacapitaldispatch.com
President Donald Trump threatened to add a 100% tariff rate on Chinese goods Friday, saying in a social media post he was responding to export controls from the world’s second-largest economy, Jacob Fischler reports.
Trump pledges additional 100% tariffs on China by Nov. 1 • Iowa Capital Dispatch
President Donald Trump threatened Friday to add a 100% tariff rate on Chinese goods in response to the country's export controls.
iowacapitaldispatch.com
iowacapitaldispatch.com
A former Iowa City physician who is suing the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics is now seeking court intervention in a disciplinary case involving allegations of professional incompetence, Clark Kauffman reports.
Doctor charged with incompetence sues University of Iowa hospitals • Iowa Capital Dispatch
A former Iowa physician charged with professional incompetence is now seeking court intervention in the disciplinary case.
iowacapitaldispatch.com
iowacapitaldispatch.com
Des Moines Area Community College board officials will consider next week whether to implement a search for an interim president after two of three candidates for the position withdrew from consideration, Brooklyn Draisey reports via Report for America.
DMACC board to decide on presidential search extension, selecting an interim leader • Iowa Capital Dispatch
The DMACC board of directors will discuss extending its presidential search timeline and seeking an interim president next week.
iowacapitaldispatch.com
iowacapitaldispatch.com
Attorneys for Summit Carbon Solutions argued Friday in court that the company’s proposed amendment to its permit for a carbon pipeline through Iowa should be decided on before a legal case against the permit can move forward, Cami Koons reports.
Court to decide if proposed Summit permit change affects pipeline opponents' lawsuit • Iowa Capital Dispatch
Summit Carbon Solutions argue the company’s proposed amendment should be decided on before a legal case against the permit can move forward.
iowacapitaldispatch.com
iowacapitaldispatch.com
A slew of conservative groups will lead a new coalition to spur civics education and push the subject in a more patriotic direction, raising alarms for some traditional civics and education groups left on the sidelines, Shauneen Miranda reports.
Trump undertakes a MAGA-centric makeover of US civics education • Iowa Capital Dispatch
A slew of conservative groups will lead a new coalition to spur civics education and push the subject in a more patriotic direction.
iowacapitaldispatch.com
iowacapitaldispatch.com
The Trump administration announced Friday it had begun mass layoffs of federal employees, a step not taken during previous government shutdowns and one that could significantly reshape the size and scope of the government, Jennifer Shutt reports. iowacapitaldispatch.com/2025/10/10/r...
‘Substantial’ layoffs of federal workers launched by Trump administration amid shutdown • Iowa Capital Dispatch
The Trump administration announced Friday it had begun mass layoffs of federal employees as the government shutdown continues.
iowacapitaldispatch.com
iowacapitaldispatch.com
“In recognition of Indigenous Peoples Day (Oct. 13 in Iowa), we hear from two Indigenous women residing in Iowa and learn how shifting our perspective can help bring us back into balance with the natural world.” Guest columnist Beth Hoffman hosts.
Podcast: The key to ecological healing • Iowa Capital Dispatch
In recognition of Indigenous Peoples Day (Oct. 13 in Iowa), we hear from two Indigenous women residing in Iowa and learn how shifting our perspective can help bring us back into balance with the…
iowacapitaldispatch.com
iowacapitaldispatch.com
Three GOP state senators called on state Auditor Rob Sand, a Democrat, to audit Des Moines schools after the arrest of the former superintendent. Sand said Thursday that he does not have the authority without the district’s request, Robin Opsahl reports.
Iowa GOP senators ask Auditor Rob Sand to audit Des Moines school district • Iowa Capital Dispatch
Iowa Auditor Rob Sand said his office does not have the authority to audit the Des Moines school district without the district's request.
iowacapitaldispatch.com
iowacapitaldispatch.com
One of Iowa’s largest and most troubled dog-breeding operations is now operating under a new license — a change that has wiped clean its slate of past violations and may derail a lawsuit over government oversight of the business, Clark Kauffman reports.
Iowa puppy mill gets new license, clearing its record of past violations • Iowa Capital Dispatch
One of Iowa’s largest dog-breeding operations is operating under a new license, a move that has wiped clean its slate of past violations.
iowacapitaldispatch.com
iowacapitaldispatch.com
Federal funding for programs feeding thousands of young and vulnerable Iowans could run out if the government shutdown continues, according to a report from Food & Water Watch, Brooklyn Draisey reports via Report for America.
Nearly 50K Iowa children could lose food aid in government shutdown, report says • Iowa Capital Dispatch
More than 60,000 Iowans rely on WIC for food and other staples, but funds won't last forever during the federal government shutdown.
iowacapitaldispatch.com
iowacapitaldispatch.com
President Donald Trump said Thursday he’s prepared to cancel funding approved by Congress that he believes is going toward programs supported by Democrats, though he didn’t share any additional details during a Cabinet meeting, Jennifer Shutt reports.
Trump threatens 'permanent' cuts to Democratic programs on day nine of shutdown gridlock • Iowa Capital Dispatch
President Donald Trump said he’s prepared to cancel funding that he believes is going toward programs supported by Democrats.
iowacapitaldispatch.com
iowacapitaldispatch.com
A majority of Americans disapprove of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s job performance and the federal government’s evolving vaccine policy, according to a poll by the nonpartisan health organization KFF, Jennifer Shutt reports.
Majorities disapprove of RFK Jr. performance, doubt autism-Tylenol claims, KFF poll finds • Iowa Capital Dispatch
A majority of Americans disapprove of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s job performance and vaccine policy.
iowacapitaldispatch.com
iowacapitaldispatch.com
The U.S. Senate failed to advance Wednesday night a resolution designed to curb the president’s power regarding military actions abroad after the Trump administration ordered four strikes on boats in the Caribbean, Ariana Figueroa reports.
US Senate rejects restriction of military strikes on vessels in the Caribbean • Iowa Capital Dispatch
The U.S. Senate failed to advance Wednesday night a resolution designed to curb the president’s power regarding military actions abroad.
iowacapitaldispatch.com
iowacapitaldispatch.com
A survey of the commercial horticulture food crops industry in Iowa showed direct specialty crop sales of more than $79 million in 2022 and even higher figures of economic output attributable to the industry, Cami Koons reports.
Study shows Iowa food farmers had a $66.5M economic output • Iowa Capital Dispatch
A survey of the commercial horticulture food crops industry in Iowa showed direct specialty crop sales of more than $79 million in 2022.
iowacapitaldispatch.com
iowacapitaldispatch.com
Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds signed an executive order Wednesday requiring state departments to verify immigration and citizenship status through the federal E-Verify and SAVE systems when granting occupational and professional licenses, Robin Opsahl reports.
Gov. Kim Reynolds issues executive order requiring state to use E-Verify for licensing • Iowa Capital Dispatch
The executive order comes in the wake of the immigration arrest of former Des Moines Public Schools superintendent Ian Roberts.
iowacapitaldispatch.com
iowacapitaldispatch.com
Iowa biofuels and corn experts congratulated Nebraska for its first shipments of carbon dioxide on the Tallgrass Trailblazer pipeline, but said Wednesday that the development means Iowa is no longer king at turning corn into ethanol, Cami Koons reports.
Biofuels leaders: Iowa cedes its ethanol ‘crown’ to Nebraska with CO2 pipeline start • Iowa Capital Dispatch
Iowa biofuels experts congratulated Nebraska for the Tallgrass Trailblazer pipeline, but said it means Iowa is no longer king of ethanol.
iowacapitaldispatch.com
iowacapitaldispatch.com
The Iowa Supreme Court heard oral arguments Wednesday about whether the state should end the practice of billing low-income Iowans for their court-appointed attorneys in cases where charges are dismissed, Robin Opsahl reports.
Iowa Supreme Court hears oral arguments on collecting court fees for dismissed cases • Iowa Capital Dispatch
The Iowa Supreme Court heard arguments Wednesday in a second case about the practice of charging Iowans for court-appointed attorneys.
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