Iowa News & Current Events | Public News Service

When it comes to health coverage, 36% of Iowa children are enrolled in public assistance programs. (Adobe Stock)

Tuesday, November 30, 2021

Report: BBB a Win For Kids' Health Coverage

DES MOINES, Iowa -- As Congress continues to debate the Build Back Better Act, a new report shows how it would address health coverage and access …

Anti-racism groups in Iowa say initially after George Floyd's murder, they saw promising state-level policies to address police accountability. But they contend that approach quickly changed with laws they believe make it harder to protest. (Adobe Stock)

The Intersection of Protesters' Rights and Rittenhouse Verdict

DES MOINES, Iowa - The Kyle Rittenhouse verdict is fueling a variety of perspectives. In Iowa, one viewpoint is that it's adding to what's perceived …

Human service providers say even after a foster contract has been fulfilled, maintaining connections with kids who have aged out of the system can provide much-needed stability as they move into adulthood. (Adobe Stock)

Holiday Season Tough on Foster Kids Transitioning to Adulthood

DES MOINES, Iowa - With the holidays near, foster families in Iowa are encouraged to maintain close connections with older teens no longer receiving …

Consumer experts say help may be on the horizon when it comes to supply-chain issues, but food costs could remain higher going into 2022. (Adobe Stock)

IA Food Shelves Grappling With Higher Prices, Supply Issues

SIOUX CITY, Iowa -- From supply-chain issues to rising food costs, local food shelves are navigating a sea of obstacles in gathering enough supplies …

It's not just voter advocates raising concerns about Iowa's new election law. County auditors have said certain aspects of the law make it harder for them to carry out elections. (Adobe Stock)

Following Local Races, Voter Advocates Regroup on IA Election Laws

DES MOINES, Iowa -- Iowa's new election law will not face its first big test until next year's midterms , but a statewide political group said this …

One way to recycle jack-o'-lanterns with wildlife in mind is to fill them with seeds, turning them into "snack-o'-lanterns" for birds and squirrels. (Pixabay)

Conservationists: Don't Make the Trash Your Pumpkin's Graveyard

IOWA CITY, Iowa -- Halloween decorations are coming down, but that does not mean your jack-o'-lantern has to be sent to the trash. To help the …

Native American leaders say school mascots depicting their culture make Indigenous students feel less included in their learning environment. (Adobe Stock)

Push Continues in Iowa to Remove Native American Mascots in Schools

MASON CITY, Iowa -- The Atlanta Braves are part of this year's World Series, and their name, imagery and chant face growing backlash to be replaced …

A majority of hate crimes in Iowa last year that were motivated by bias were anti-Black crimes. (Adobe Stock)

Hate Crimes Still a Concern in Iowa

NORTH LIBERTY, Iowa -- New FBI data show an increase in hate crimes in Iowa. Locally, ordinances have been crafted to ensure more protections for …

Advocates for Iowans with disabilities say the caregiver shortage could erase decades of progress in self-advocacy. (Adobe Stock)

Caregiver Shortage Puts Iowans with Disabilities in Tough Spot

WATERLOO, Iowa -- Advocates for Iowans with disabilities are sounding the alarm over what they describe as a caregiver crisis, pleading with …

Even though Republicans currently are in control of all levels of state government, supporters of the state's redistricting process say it has paved the way for competitive races in many elections. (Adobe Stock)

Is IA's Nonpartisan Redistricting Facing Headwinds?

DES MOINES, Iowa -- Going into the current redistricting cycle, Iowa was lauded for its nonpartisan process, but as new political maps are crafted…

Pro-choice groups are encouraging Iowans to educate themselves about reproductive rights before they possibly consider a constitutional amendment in the coming years pushed by pro-life lawmakers. (Adobe Stock)

Under Texas' Shadow, Iowa Still Debating Reproductive Rights

IOWA CITY, Iowa -- Iowa is not among the states that have so-called "trigger laws" that could be enacted if the U.S. Supreme Court were to overturn …

As Midwestern farmers deal with more unpredictable weather patterns, they're urged to adopt practices such as cover cropping to make their land more resilient to flooding and other events. (Adobe Stock)

Warm Fall Weather Key to Increasing Cover Crops on IA Farms

SIOUX CITY, Iowa - Iowa's fall harvest is under way, with some farmers reporting better yields than expected. But others are still worried about …

People living with disabilities make up roughly 30% of the U.S. workforce, although their unemployment rate is more than double the overall rate. (Adobe Stock)

Iowa Companies Could Do More to Close Disability Hiring Gap

DES MOINES, Iowa - October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month, and advocates for people with disabilities are calling on employers to …

Advocates say this year's Mental Illness Awareness Week includes a focus on the need for improved crisis response and mental-health care. (Adobe Stock)

IA Parent: Families Should Prioritize Mental-Health Needs

CLIVE, Iowa - This week, more attention is being paid to the struggles of people living with mental-health conditions. In Iowa, parents are telling …

Iowa officials say 90% of state residents who are eligible to vote are currently registered. (Adobe Stock)

Iowans Urged to Handle Voter Registration Ahead of Fall Elections

DES MOINES, Iowa -- In five weeks, voters in many Iowa cities will cast their ballots for local elections, and the Secretary of State's office is …

According to the World Health Organization, about one in six people age 60 years and older experienced some form of abuse in community settings during the past year. (Adobe Stock)

AARP: Most Iowans Support Tougher Elder-Abuse Law

DES MOINES, Iowa -- There is strong public support in Iowa to enact a state law that criminalizes elder abuse, a topic also being discussed by law …

Analysts say carbon capture facilities and underground pipelines would require hundreds of billions of dollars in investments, but are likely to fall short of emission-reduction goals. (Adobe Stock)

Plans for Carbon Sequestration Pipeline for IA Questioned

DES MOINES, Iowa -- This fall, the Iowa Utilities Board is hosting meetings to inform the public about a proposed underground pipeline, which would …

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 …

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