Though Governor Branstad is a firm advocate for school choice in Iowa, he stopped short of making any promises for its state funding in the next legislative session while speaking with administrators, teachers, and parents at the Iowa School Choice Summit on Wednesday. Branstad noted the bird flu epidemic’s economic toll on Iowa this spring…… MORE
USDA is looking into handling carcasses of any future bird flu victims, including prearranged disposal sites. Dale Wiehoff of the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy says Iowa could be in for another bout of the virus this fall. The state utilities board wants to know why Dakota Access can’t slightly change its route to…… MORE
The state utilities board wants to know why Dakota Access can’t slightly change its route to cut the number of land parcels that would be affected by its proposed oil pipeline. The Texas company is seeking eminent domain on more than 400 properties. A non-jury trial pitting the company against Calhoun County is set for…… MORE
President Obama wants to make college more affordable and getting into college easier…that’s what he told a crowd of more than 2 thousand at North High School yesterday. Obama talked about the need for further education than just high school. He outlined a few new education proposals, as well as answering questions about the…… MORE
Iowa’s Department of Human Services has submitted waiver requests with the feds to shift Medicaid to a privately-run managed care system at the start of the new year. DHS says the change will provide quality services while saving more than 51-million dollars in the first six months.… MORE
Iowa is among the top leaders in the nation for its apprenticeship programs, gathering about 9,600 apprentices in the past year. Lieutenant Governor Kim Reynolds held a press conference on Monday to reinforce the state’s initiative, and to also update the public on goals going forward. “Employers get a pipeline of trained workers that meet…… MORE
Changes to college financial aid application periods will be announced when President Obama visits Des Moines today. He’ll be over at North High School with Education Secretary Arne Duncan. They’re holding a town hall meeting with juniors and seniors and their parents to talk about college accessibility and affordability. Newly re-elected Des Moines school board…… MORE
Iowa’s Department of Natural Resources told environmental regulators the state has met the federal goals of manure management enforcement on livestock farms. However, Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement is challenging DNR’s claims, saying more water pollution in the state’s rivers and lakes shows problems remain with runoff and manure spills.… MORE
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump hosted a rally in Boone before attending the ISU-UI tailgate on Saturday, drawing nearly 700 people to the downtown area. Trump prefaced his normal stump speech by saying he had to cut his remarks short, as he would be tailgating, but he managed to include plenty of criticisms of…… MORE
Marco Rubio seems to have a thing for local breweries and drawing large crowds at the last minute. His Iowa campaign team organized a meet and greet at Firetrucker Brewery in Ankeny in less than 24 hours, and about 200 people showed up on Friday night to hear him speak. The Florida senator began his…… MORE
