Ottumwa

Several Haitian immigrants left the country after losing their jobs at a JBS meatpacking plant in Ottumwa. The company notified over 200 employees it had been made aware of changes to their work authorization statuses under the Trump administration.

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources hosted a public meeting and hearing Wednesday on a wastewater permit amendment requested by Interstate Power and Light. Several environmental groups argue the draft permit allows Alliant Energy, the parent company, to bypass a federal law passed in 2024.

It's been two months since JBS told over 200 workers at a meatpacking plant in Ottumwa they would have to find new work authorization after the Trump administration revoked their migrant visas. Now, they’re being forced to re-navigate a legal system that’s become more complex in recent months.

Local Baptist Rev. Travis Decker had been pushing the Ottumwa City Council to pass the Traditional Marriage Proclamation since June, after the city passed a proclamation recognizing Pride month.