Renewable energy from wind and solar rose to 67% last year in Iowa. But tariffs and a rollback on federal tax credits could dampen momentum.

Christian Schlaefer, a farmer from north central Iowa, is the latest Republican to join the race for Iowa’s 4th Congressional District. There are now eight candidates who aim to replace incumbent Republican Rep. Randy Feenstra, who has yet to officially announce he’s running for governor.

Former state representative and Trump appointee Joe Mitchell is running for Congress in Iowa’s 2nd District. He said he's a trusted voice in the MAGA movement, having served in the administration's Department of Housing and Urban Development.

State Sen. Charlie McClintock, R-Alburnett, is running for the U.S. House in Iowa’s 2nd Congressional District. He said he's campaigning on an "America First" agenda and reiterated his support for President Donald Trump and the Republican platform.

Polk County has opened a new election office in Des Moines with more space for voters and stronger security measures for ballot storage.

The Des Moines metro's regional transit network introduced a major redesign of its bus routes, with a new focus on high frequency, local routes in denser parts of the metro. The scaled back services are aimed at cutting back on a projected budget deficit.

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources hosted a public meeting and hearing Wednesday on a wastewater permit amendment requested by Interstate Power and Light. Several environmental groups argue the draft permit allows Alliant Energy, the parent company, to bypass a federal law passed in 2024.

After a large gathering outside of the Cedar Rapids ICE office last month, more federal and local law enforcement officers guarded the office during appointments in September.

Republican U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson is running to represent Iowa in the U.S. Senate. Hinson made her announcement shortly after Sen. Joni Ernst confirmed she will not run for reelection in 2026.

U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst will not run for reelection in 2026, she announced Tuesday in a video message. The Republican from Iowa is serving her second term after she was first elected to the Senate in 2014.