Iowa City's mayor issued an emergency order requiring masks in all classrooms and other gathering spots in the city. This order defies state law and the Board of Regents. Republican Governor Kim Reynolds is criticizing Democratic President Joe Biden for pressuring states like Iowa to reverse policies banning school mask mandates. Plus, a year ago this month, a derecho devastated communities across Iowa. IPR’s Kate Payne explains that the hardest hit were refugee families in Cedar Rapids.
Clay Masters is Iowa Public Radio’s Morning Edition host and lead political reporter.