Governor

Democrat Rob Sand is trying to connect with Iowa voters through his Christian faith as he campaigns for governor. He weaves religious references into his stump speech as he explains his positions and values, and that has drawn a strong reaction from some Republicans.

Former governor and ambassador Terry Branstad was honored with the state's highest award for citizens on Thursday. Branstad is the country's longest serving governor in U.S. history.

The University of Iowa held an inaugural event over the weekend for the new Center for Intellectual Freedom. It featured prominent conservative voices and panel discussions about the future of the controversial center. UI President Barbara Wilson was not in attendance.

Republicans running for governor and the 4th Congressional District highlighted their conservative viewpoints during a forum in western Iowa. Some candidates expressed concern that U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra, who is running for governor, didn’t attend.

State officials have denied The Satanic Temple Iowa’s request to hold a holiday event in the Iowa Capitol for the second year in a row, as the state faces a religious discrimination complaint related to last year’s denial.

Gov. Kim Reynolds and Iowa State University President Wendy Wintersteen celebrated the expansion of bioindustrial manufacturing in Iowa as they joined executives of BioMADE at the ISU BioCentury Research Farm Friday for a groundbreaking ceremony.

Zach Lahn is the fifth Republican to officially launch a campaign for Iowa governor. He said he is his "own biggest donor" who "can't be bought."

The state of Iowa will pay $600,000 to settle a wrongful termination lawsuit brought by former Iowa Department of Public Health Communications Director Polly Carver-Kimm, who claimed she was forced to resign for attempting to comply with Iowa’s open records law.

The food assistance program, SNAP, is headed into November without federal funding. Gov. Kim Reynolds said the state will match cash donations to Iowa food banks up to $1 million to help fill the gap.

Iowa's 4th District U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra launched his campaign with a news release Tuesday after exploring a run for months. He is the fourth Republican to formally join the race for the GOP nomination for governor of Iowa.