Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate said Justice Department election monitors are expected at a couple of Iowa locations, although he did not have an exact count. He described their role as observing compliance with civil rights protections, including access for voters with disabilities and opportunities to cast provisional ballots.

The candidates found common ground on mental healthcare, water quality and government accountability, but offered different approaches to Medicaid, education and state spending.

Iowa's Board of Regents unanimously selected Nebraska professor Carson Holloway to lead the Center for Intellectual Freedom at the University of Iowa, as its outgoing interim director criticized the regents and university administrators' handling of the center.

Iowa officials project modest revenue growth over the next two years, but Democrats warn collections remain more than a billion dollars below current state spending.

A new state law has led to the removal of a protective policy for LGBTQ foster youth. The law (SF 473) says foster parents don't have to accept a policy about sexual orientation or gender identity if it conflicts with their religious beliefs. Supporters say it's needed to protect foster parents' religious freedom, but some fear it puts LGBTQ foster youth in a vulnerable spot.

Iowa HHS plans to transition the state’s public health system into a regional model by 2028. The move will shift the oversight of funds for each county to a lead entity in each region. Public health officials are warning the new system will leave gaps in services for residents.