State/Local News
Two pandemics: One dry and one very wet
Iowans have made this a very boozy pandemic. Cheers.
Maybe you saw the reports last month on Iowa alcohol sales during fiscal 2020, which ended June 30. Iowans spent a record $367.3 million on...
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Iowa courts look to cast a wider net to find potential jurors
The Iowa Judicial Branch has proposed a bill to include non-financial information from Iowans’ tax filings as an additional source list to randomly select jury pools.
The current pools are...
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Across Iowa, nearly 1,000 years of experience leaving as 24 new sheriffs start
IOWA CITY — New Johnson County Sheriff Brad Kunkel has wasted no time diving into his new role and responsibilities.
“It’s been very busy,” Kunkel said. “Obviously,...
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Bill that would reinstate limited death penalty advances in Iowa Senate
DES MOINES — Republicans on a Senate subcommittee on Thursday advanced legislation that would reinstate a limited death penalty for Iowans aged 18 or older who are convicted of kidnapping,...
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Gov. Reynolds names new chief operating officer, moves Paul Trombino to Homeland Security
Gov. Kim Reynolds on Thursday named Paul Trombino as director of the Iowa Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management.
Trombino, who had been Reynolds’ chief operating officer...
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Try making this Brazilian street food delicacy, the pastel
Each January, Iowans all over the state face a similar dilemma. Our New Year’s resolutions reflect the best of intentions, to make healthier and more mindful decisions during meal...
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Linn-Mar schools breaking ties with Iowa BIG
MARION — Ending a five-year partnership with Iowa BIG, the Linn-Mar Community School District is breaking ties to create its own project-based learning program.
Linn-Mar High School’s...
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ITC Midwest, Alliant Energy receive national award for derecho response
The Edison Electric Institute, which represents all investor-owned utilities in the United States, gave Alliant Energy and ITC Midwest its Emergency Response Award for “for working...
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Mandate masks in the Iowa Capitol
Top Republican legislative leaders in the Iowa House and Senate are powerful politicians. They set the agenda at the Statehouse, play a key role in deciding which bills live or die and have...
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Man charged with attempted murder in bar shooting in northwest Cedar Rapids
CEDAR RAPIDS — A Cedar Rapids man faces a charge of attempted murder after a shooting at a bar and grill.
Johnny M. Hill Jr., 30, entered Cedar River Landing, 301 F Ave. NW, on Oct. 2, opened...
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New medical marijuana manufacturer coming to Cedar Rapids
Seven months after Iowa Relief closed its medical marijuana manufacturing facility in Cedar Rapids, the city is poised to get another manufacturer.
The Iowa Department of Public Health on Dec. 22...
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Medical marijuana outlet in Iowa City off, at least for now
Iowa City may not be getting a medical marijuana dispensary after all — at least not yet.
The Iowa Department of Public Health announced in September it intended to award the Iowa Cannabis...
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Iowa National Guard busy at home, abroad in 2020, commandant reports
CEDAR RAPIDS — In 2020, more Iowa National Guard members were deployed overseas than any time during the previous 10 years.
However, at the same time, Guard members served on the front lines...
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Iowa’s continuing unemployment claims rise, new claims remain flat
Iowa saw the highest number of continuing claims between Jan. 3 and Jan. 9 since early October.
The state’s continuing claims jumped from 43,165 to 49,451, the largest single-week increase...
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Fact Checker: Reynolds’ Condition of the State claims mostly true
In her Condition of the State speech Tuesday, Gov. Kim Reynolds hit on Iowa’s accomplishments and challenges in 2020 and highlighted her goals for 2021.
The Fact Checker team examined...
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Trump becomes first president twice impeached
WASHINGTON — Donald Trump became the first president in U.S. history to be impeached twice, as a bipartisan House majority Wednesday voted to charge him with inciting insurrection by his...
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Despite glitch, Iowa lawmakers optimistic about broadband expansion
Discussion during the inaugural meeting of the Iowa House Information Technology Committee — formed to address technology issues in Iowa — was limited because the members attending...
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$3 million state grant will improve access for new BAE Systems facility
The Iowa Transportation Commission on Wednesday awarded $4.45 million in funds to three projects, with a Cedar Rapids street project getting a lion’s share of the funding.
The commission...
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As long as the virus rages, condition of our state is not strong
The 2021 Iowa Legislature convened this week during a dark moment in American history.
COVID-19, which cut last year’s Iowa legislative session short, continues to infect and kill Iowans,...
Categories: State/Local News
Linn County’s new marijuana policy is good, not great
Linn County’s new marijuana diversion program is an imperfect plan, but it’s marked improvement over the status quo.
Iowa is among a shrinking class of states that still threatens jail...
Categories: State/Local News