Kim Reynolds

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds signed a bill into law that raises penalties for protest-related offenses, puts qualified immunity language into state law, expands some police protections, and makes it illegal to not stop for an unmarked police car.

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds signed a wide-ranging tax bill into law Wednesday that will allow more income tax cuts to kick in, phase out backfill payments to local governments, and shift mental health funding from local property taxes to the state.

For decades, the Midwest has attracted many refugees and immigrants from around the world. A recent report pointed out Des Moines, Iowa and Omaha, Nebraska as being among the most popular places for refugees to resettle.

State Auditor Rob Sand is accusing Gov. Kim Reynolds of breaking Iowa law regarding self-promotion of state officials by appearing in taxpayer-funded public service announcements related to the COVID-19 pandemic last year. Reynolds’ office said the governor did not break the law, and pointed to an exception for disaster emergencies. Iowa has been under disaster emergency proclamation for more than a year because of the pandemic.

Activists said the celebrations for Pride Month in Iowa are two-fold this year. One being the celebration for identity. The other being bills labeled as anti-LGBTQ didn’t become law.

Reynolds’ claim that Iowa kept “the processing plants open,” ignores a number of closures reported by the plants themselves.

Latino organizations across the Iowa are working on creating a statewide alliance. According to the Office of Latino Affairs, it will create a different, united effort for the first time.

Iowa’s 2021 legislative session ended late Wednesday, three weeks after the target date for adjournment. IPR Morning Edition host Clay Masters talks with IPR State Government reporter Katarina Sostaric about what happened in the final hours of the session.

Gov. Kim Reynolds has signed a bill into law expanding the options to create state-funded charter schools in Iowa.

IPR Morning Edition host Clay Masters talks with IPR state government reporter Katarina Sostaric about whether legislators seem to be close to agreements so that the 2021 legislative session can adjourn.