Iowa Legislature

Candidates running for Congress in Iowa say they’ll remain focused on their current constituents as they wait for the redistricting process to play out. The proposed maps released by the Legislative Services Agency Thursday would mean major changes for the seats.

Gov. Kim Reynolds announced Tuesday she is calling a special legislative session to begin Oct. 5 so Iowa lawmakers can consider and vote on new boundaries for legislative and congressional districts. An Iowa Supreme Court order says the legislature may continue the redistricting process past a Sept. 15 deadline.

The Iowa Senate Ethics Committee voted unanimously Monday to dismiss six complaints related to the state law that bans schools from requiring masks, saying the complaints did not address matters under the jurisdiction of the committee.

During this fall’s city and school board elections, Iowa’s county election officials will not get to choose where they set up early voting sites. Under a new state law, they can only establish early voting sites where they're requested by a petition signed by at least 100 voters.

Today is the first day back to school for students in Sioux City. For the first time in years, there will be a completely new boundary map that determines which school students go to. Also, teachers and administrators have to comply with a new state law. The law limiting some lessons on race may pose a new challenge to a district trying to diversify its schools.

State officials started drawing new boundaries this week for Iowa’s legislative and congressional districts. Redrawing Iowa’s 100 state House of Representatives districts, 50 state Senate districts, and four congressional districts can have a significant impact on Iowans’ political representation.

Back to school in the pandemic. New eviction moratorium in effect. The Field of Dreams: Buckle up for your Newsbuzz.

After a year when many Iowans were on the internet more than ever, state lawmakers are putting more money than ever before—$100 million—into expanding access to high-speed internet. To help decide where to spend it, the state updated its broadband map that highlights which areas have the least access to high-speed internet. Some Iowans are asking the state to designate their neighborhoods as underserved so they don’t miss out on the chance to have better internet access.

Gov. Kim Reynolds has criticized the CDC's new guidance recommending people in counties with substantial to high COVID-19 community transmission wear masks indoors, regardless of vaccination status.

State Democrats are calling on Gov. Kim Reynolds to fill the vacant seats on the Iowa State Board of Health, as the board was unable to meet earlier this month because the majority of seats are empty.