Iowa News & Current Events | Public News Service

During the Great Recession, 50 million Americans experienced food insecurity, compared with an estimated 38 million during last year's economic fallout from COVID-19. (Adobe Stock)

Single Moms, Families of Color Most Affected by Hunger in 2020

DES MOINES, Iowa -- The rate of people experiencing hunger in Iowa and across the U.S. was steady during 2020, according to initial data from the U.S…

Municipal and school board elections in Iowa are scheduled for Nov. 2. (Adobe Stock)

Local Elections in IA to Include Voting Changes

ORANGE CITY, Iowa -- There is no federal or statewide race this fall, but Iowa voters in many cities will still head to the polls for municipal and …

In a national survey, 50% of school transportation coordinators said the rate of pay is a major factor that affects their ability to recruit and retain school bus drivers. (Adobe Stock)

Better Pay, Community Trust Linked to School Bus Driver Shortage

MARSHALLTOWN, Iowa -- Iowa school districts are reporting bus driver shortages as the academic year gets underway. Transportation officials said more …

A new program in Waterloo is designed to help marginalized students improve their reading skills with materials centered around Black history. Organizers say it can boost their confidence and academic success. (Adobe Stock)

"1619 Project" Creator Establishes Freedom School in IA

WATERLOO, Iowa -- Disadvantaged students in one of Iowa's largest cities will get the chance to build reading skills through a more robust telling of …

In dozens of states, legislatures are in charge of redistricting. Critics of that system say that creates fairness issues if one party has power over both chambers. (Adobe Stock)

Iowa Still Seen as Model State for Redistricting

DES MOINES, Iowa -- Iowa's political landscape is confronted with the same divisiveness seen elsewhere in the U.S., but pro-democracy advocates say …

The town of Bloomfield is located in southern Iowa, 11 miles from the Missouri border. (cityofbloomfield.org)

Some IA Towns Immune to Rural Decline

IOWAWATCH COLLABORATION BLOOMFIELD, Iowa - America's rural population decline has been well-documented, with more people flocking to urban centers…

Environmental groups have sounded the alarm over runoff from factory farms and industrial agriculture that flow into rivers in central Iowa. (Adobe Stock)

New Map Highlights Impact of Slaughter Facilities on Waterways

DES MOINES, Iowa - Some of Iowa's largest drinking-water sources have struggled with runoff from livestock facilities and farm sites. A new …

No-till farming, which involves growing crops without disrupting the soil, is considered a hallmark of conservation in agriculture. (Adobe Stock)

Conservation For Sale: Connecting Heartland Farmers with Sustainable Ag

HARLAN, Iowa -- The effects of climate change are laid out in a new United Nations report, which pointed to greenhouse gas emissions. While global …

LULAC of Iowa wants to know if county auditors can facilitate Spanish versions of formal election forms. (Adobe Stock)

IA Latino Group: Election Materials Shouldn't Be English-Only

DES MOINES, Iowa -- When Iowans register to vote or cast their ballot, the forms are usually just in English. A civil rights group argued the state …

The State Historical Society of Iowa's mobile museum contains 56 artifacts and videos. (traveliowa.com)

Museum on Wheels: IA's History Hits Road for All Residents to Learn

DES MOINES, Iowa -- Cultural institutions in the U.S. are facing scrutiny to be more accessible and inclusive. The organization in charge of Iowa's …

A new report says Black youths are more likely to be in custody than their white peers in every state but one: Hawaii. (Adobe Stock)

IA Sees Worsening Racial Gap in Youth Incarceration

DES MOINES, Iowa -- Iowa has recently laid out recommendations to reduce overrepresentation of minorities in the juvenile justice system. The effort …

According to the American Heart Association, one in five cardiac arrests occurs in public, such as on a job site. (Adobe Stock)

If You Can't Stand the Heat, Step Down from the Bulldozer

DES MOINES, Iowa -- People across the Midwest, including Iowans, have dealt with a series of heat waves this summer. Health experts say hotter …

More than 350,000 Iowans live with a disability. Their advocates are working with state government to help more people in this group gain appointments to government boards and commissions. (Adobe Stock)

Push for More People with Disabilities on IA Boards, Commissions

DES MOINES, Iowa -- Iowa's government has 180 boards and commissions, with many consisting of appointed members, but advocates fear most don't …

A new national report says 48% of officials who faced recall campaigns in the first half of 2021 were school board members. (Adobe Stock)

Divisive Campaign Rhetoric Trickles Down to Local Races

SIOUX CITY, Iowa - A new Ballotpedia report shows a nationwide spike in efforts, largely led by right-wing groups, to recall school board members …

Weight gain has been a common pandemic side effect, but experts say adding a few more steps to your daily routine can help shed the pounds. (stevepb/Pixabay)

Experts: Pandemic Weight Gain Might Be Easier to Shed with Kindness

DES MOINES, Iowa -- More than 60% of adults reported weight problems during the pandemic, according to the American Psychological Association…

A new report says family caregivers in the United States spend more than $7,000 a year on average in out-of-pocket expenses. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Out-of-Pocket Expenses Squeezing Family Caregivers

DES MOINES, Iowa -- Providing care for a loved one comes with a lot of stress. A new report said there's financial pressure too, especially when it …

The medical community warns that every American's health is at risk due to climate change, but children, seniors and many communities of color are among those at greater risk. (Adobe Stock)

Personal Health, Medical Costs Tied to Climate-Change Discussion

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- Climate change might conjure up images of wildfires or dried up rivers out West, but an Iowa doctor is joining her counterparts …

Immigration policy experts say the recent wave of migrant crossings at the U.S./Mexico border might by partly the result of seasonal trends, not solely Biden administration policies. (Adobe Stock)

IA Latinos to Governor: Don't Play Politics with Immigration

DES MOINES, Iowa - Debate continues over the severity of the migrant situation at the U.S./Mexico border, and advocates for Iowa Latinos say Gov…

A new report says during the pandemic, Iowa's Black, Latino and multiracial households with children were three times as likely as white households to worry about making their next rent or mortgage payment. (Adobe Stock)

Despite Ranking, Pandemic Clouds IA's Child Well-being Outlook

DES MOINES, Iowa -- Iowa gets some high marks in the latest 50-state report on children's wellbeing, but the annual findings show the pandemic is …

A new Gallup survey shows more than 60% of Americans say they know "a little bit" or "nothing at all" about Juneteenth, the date that celebrates the end of slavery in the United States. (DoDEA.edu)

Juneteenth Declared National Holiday, Amidst Progress, Upheaval

DES MOINES, Iowa -- Juneteenth National Independence Day is now an official holiday, after President Joe Biden signed a bill Thursday, approved by …

Across the United States, more than 6,000 local organizations receive funds from Victims of Crime Act or VOCA, to provide lifesaving support services to survivors. (Adobe Stock)

Funding Woes Leave IA Crime Victim Support Groups in Limbo

DES MOINES, Iowa - Iowa groups that assist survivors of domestic violence and other crimes are struggling as a key federal funding source almost …

The Shell Rock River Watershed Management Coalition is the latest voluntary group of local governments and other agencies in Iowa to join a patchwork of similar alliances devising flood prevention strategies. (Adobe Stock)

Iowa Hot and Dry, But Flood Prevention Efforts Continue

SHELL ROCK, Iowa -- Scorching temperatures with little rain might not prompt public fears about flooding, but that isn't stopping leaders in …

Aside from the most recent session, public-policy groups say Iowa government has been slow to increase the state's minimum wage, which has sat at $7.25 for more than a decade. (Adobe Stock)

IA Legislative Session Gets Mixed Reviews

DES MOINES, Iowa - Many laws and budget priorities passed by the Iowa Legislature soon will be implemented, but a nonpartisan research and policy …

For Iowa's IAble account holders, the earnings on their savings are federally tax-deferred and tax-free, if used for qualified disability expenses. (Adobe Stock)

IA Strengthens Financial Tool for People with Disabilities

MASON CITY, Iowa - Iowa has updated a law that backers say gives more financial flexibility to people living with disabilities. The changes center …

Various studies have shown that between 75% and 90% of people remain housed a year after going through a "housing first" program. (Adobe Stock)

Housing First Movement Expands in Iowa

IOWA CITY, Iowa -- One of Iowa's largest cities will soon see another project that centers around the "housing first" philosophy in addressing …

Aside from training programs, removing barriers to land access is seen as another way to attract younger farmers as the agriculture industry ages. (Adobe Stock)

IA Program Aims to Usher in Next Generation of Farmers

AMES, Iowa - Iowa farmers have been busy with the spring planting season. As operations hire workers for the summer, a nonprofit connects them with …

At Iowa's Capitol this year, election law changes were one of the more contentious issues to be considered by lawmakers. (Adobe Stock)

IA Voter Group Plans Educational Push in Response to Election Law

DES MOINES, Iowa -- A nonpartisan political group said it plans to "double up" its outreach to inform Iowans about sweeping changes to the state's …

Mental health experts say they're using this Mental Health Awareness Month to convey to people they aren't alone in struggling to cope with added stress from the past year. (Adobe Stock)

Iowa's Stressful Year Could Take Time to Manifest

DES MOINES, Iowa - In Iowa and around the U.S, people have faced a flurry of stressful events and crises in the last year. During Mental Health …

Iowa leaders said they're enacting more strategies, such as pop-up clinics, to boost lagging COVID-19 vaccination demand. (Adobe Stock)

Community Pharmacies Part of Vaccination Push in IA

DES MOINES, Iowa -- Amid lagging demand, Iowa officials are encouraging anyone who's eligible to get a COVID-19 vaccination. Community pharmacies …

Critics of enhanced online eligibility verification for public-assistance programs say it could deter people in Iowa from applying, even if they qualify. (Adobe Stock)

Plan to Recheck IA Public-Assistance Eligibility Raises Concerns

DES MOINES, Iowa - A proposal in the Iowa Legislature to recheck people's eligibility for public-assistance programs is getting some pushback…

Racial-justice protests reached a global scale last year, but in some states and cities, how police respond to demonstrators remains a thorny issue. (Adobe Stock)

Police Protections Bill for IA Still in Play

DES MOINES, Iowa - The Iowa Senate soon could decide the future of a bill that's enflamed tensions between law enforcement and racial-justice …

Iowa consistently ranks low among all states for its gender pay gap, and almost 34% of female-headed households in the state live in poverty. (Adobe Stock)

Crisis Amplifies Concerns About Retirement Gap for Women

DES MOINES, Iowa - The pandemic has disrupted plans for a secure financial retirement for many Americans, and financial experts say women face a more …

Iowa was among many states this year to see conservative lawmakers push for voting restrictions in light of last year's presidential election. (Adobe Stock)

IA County Auditors Still Processing Election Law Changes

DES MOINES, Iowa -- While they pore over the changes, Iowa's county auditors still have reservations about a new law that drastically alters several …

State and local governments lose tax revenue every year when construction companies choose to pay their workers in cash or off the books. (Tund/Adobe Stock)

Carpenters Unions: Tax Fraud, Wage Theft Harm IA Workers, Taxpayers

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa -- Union leaders and workers are calling on Iowa lawmakers to take action to curb tax fraud and wage theft in the construction …

Although federal relief packages have benefited local meat-processing companies seeing higher demand, some say the aid has been slow, which has prompted calls for state-level help. (Adobe Stock)

IA Bill Would Give Local Meat Processors a Leg Up

STORY CITY, Iowa - The supply chain for meat processing still is dealing with issues caused by the pandemic, and smaller operations have been picking …

Of the roughly $1.6 trillion worth of student-loan debt in the United States, more than $336 billion belongs to borrowers aged 50 and older. (Adobe Stock)

Student-Loan Debt Not Just an Issue for Younger Adults

DES MOINES, Iowa -- The fastest-growing age group of those carrying student loan debt might surprise you. Amid calls for the Biden administration to …

As states begin to release data related to COVID vaccinations, more reports indicate access issues, as some racial groups are receiving the shots at much lower rates than white residents. (Adobe Stock)

IA Latinos: We're Being Overlooked in Vaccination Outreach

DES MOINES, Iowa - Coronavirus vaccinations now are open to all Iowa adults age 16 and older, but there's amplified concern from Latinos about …

Those demanding a permanent federal paid family-leave policy say the pandemic has been especially hard on women. (Adobe Stock)

Advocates Renew Push for National Paid Leave Policy

DES MOINES, Iowa -- Talks continue in Washington on another stimulus-style package to help the U.S. recover from the pandemic, including …

Iowa has more than 10,000 factory farms, up from fewer than 800 in 2001. (agnormark/Adobe Stock)

Rural Iowa Communities Urge More Factory-Farm Regulations

DES MOINES, Iowa -- Advocates for family farms, rural neighborhoods and the environment are asking Iowa lawmakers to find a more equitable balance …

More than 40% of Iowa's power comes from wind energy. (shaiith/Adobe Stock)

Knowing Wind Farms' Limits Can Help Prevent Utility Disruptions

DES MOINES, Iowa - As scientists warn that the increase in extreme weather events shows no signs of stopping, experts say it's important as ever to …

In March, people who live with disabilities hope to highlight how they've managed to live and work throughout the pandemic crisis. (IDDC)

One Year Later, Advocates for Iowans with Disabilities Reflect on COVID

MASON CITY, Iowa -- The pandemic has dramatically altered the lives of many people, including those living with disabilities, but Iowa advocates say …

In addition to reducing early voting days, Iowa's new election law prohibits county auditors from doing blanket mailouts of absentee-ballot request forms. (Adobe Stock)

Lawsuit Filed Over Election Changes in IA

DES MOINES, Iowa - Iowa's new law that makes several major changes for voters has been met with a lawsuit from a civil-rights group. When Gov…

Des Moines Register reporter Andrea Sahouri said she was tear-gassed and pepper-sprayed while being arrested for covering a Black Lives Matter protest last year. (courtesy of Sahouri)

IA Reporter Trial Renews Calls to Protect Press Freedoms

DES MOINES, Iowa -- Testimony began yesterday in the trial of an Iowa reporter arrested during a protest in Des Moines. Her case has become the …

Last month, Iowa's governor eased public regulations established last year to control the spread of COVID-19. A new survey suggests older Iowans want businesses to maintain their own mandates. (Adobe Stock)

Survey: Older Iowans Want COVID Safety Measures to Stay in Place

DES MOINES, Iowa -- States like Iowa have lifted COVID-19 restrictions amid a gradual decline in case activity and promising news on vaccinations…

In the past decade, Iowa has been among the top states with the most flood-disaster declarations. (Adobe Stock)

Focus of IA Flood Prevention Shifts to Funding Debate

DES MOINES, Iowa - Iowa has taken steps to prevent floods following historic disasters in recent decades. At the center of these efforts are local …

About 9% of the population globally is food insecure. (tong2530/Adobe Stock)

Expert: Global Food Supply Could Benefit From Rejoining Climate Pact

DES MOINES, Iowa -- The United States recently rejoined the Paris climate agreement, a move that followed the Biden administration's immediate …

Despite some backlash in recent weeks from various politicians, renewable energy has seen bipartisan support in a number of national polls. (Adobe Stock)

Wind-Energy Proponents Dispel Myths Following Power Failures

DES MOINES, Iowa - The reliability of clean energy was thrust back into the spotlight following recent power failures in southern states. In Iowa…

Iowa is one of several states to see election reform bills surface following the 2020 election. Such legislation would place further restrictions on certain options, including early voting. (Adobe Stock)

Proposed Voting Changes in IA Debated at Public Hearing

DES MOINES, Iowa -- Iowa lawmakers gathered public testimony Monday on controversial legislation opponents describe as voter suppression. Supporters …

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