The 2026 Legislative session has ended after a marathon weekend. Journalists who covered the statehouse share what passed, failed and what is already Iowa law.
John Pemble
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Iowa Public Radio
Lucius Pham
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Iowa Public Radio
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A bill banning some food dyes from school meals, authorizing over-the-counter ivermectin and requiring the state to continue seeking limits on what can be bought with food assistance is on its way to Gov. Kim Reynolds’ desk for her signature. -
Gov. Kim Reynolds signed a bill into law Thursday that offers child care assistance to child care workers regardless of their income, making a pilot program that started in 2023 permanent. -
Gov. Kim Reynolds signed a bill into law Thursday that raises the tax on HMO health insurance plans to generate more money for Iowa’s Medicaid program. Democrats say the tax hike will raise some Iowans' health insurance premiums.
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Republican candidate for governor Rep. Eddie Andrews spoke at a GOP fundraiser Thursday and accused Adam Steen, one of his primary election opponents, of lying about his campaign’s involvement with challenging Andrews’ place on the ballot. -
The state of Iowa’s spending is once again expected to exceed its revenue by about $1 billion in the next fiscal year as revenue declines due to state and federal tax cuts. -
The U.S. Army Reserve said Maj. Jeffrey O’Brien died when an Iranian drone struck a command center in Kuwait. That attack killed six soldiers from the same Des Moines-based unit.
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Sgt. Declan Coady, 20, of West Des Moines, died on the second day of the war with Iran when his unit in Kuwait was struck by an Iranian drone. -
For years, Iowans have watched their property tax bills climb. Lawmakers are under intense pressure to pass something after failing in 2025, but some city and county officials worry these proposals will hurt their ability to pay for city services. In this episode, the mayor of Dubuque, former mayor of Carroll and the president of Iowans for Tax Relief provide their perspectives. We also hear from our listeners on the issue. -
During what may be her last Condition of the State, Gov. Kim Reynolds said our government needs to be reminded that "money doesn't grow on trees" as she eyes limits to municipal revenue growth. House Minority Leader Rep. Brian Meyer countered after her speech that Iowa is in a "fiscal death spiral" due to previous tax cuts. On this Politics Day edition of River to River, political analysts Dave Peterson and Jonathan Hassid help us dissect Iowa Republicans' legislative agenda, a growing number of independents and the future of Affordable Care Act subsidies.
