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Government Policy and Law

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City Council approves $99,000 ammo purchase for Des Moines police in contentious meeting

Des Moines Register: The Des Moines City Council unanimously approved a police request to buy $99,000 in ammunition, to be used on-duty and for training, after Monday’s meeting ended abruptly during emphatic public comment against the …

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Gov. Reynolds signs executive order restoring ex-offender voting rights, removing Iowa’s last-in-the-nation status

Des Moines Register: Thousands of Iowans with felony convictions who have served their sentences will be allowed to vote in November’s presidential election after Gov. Kim Reynolds signed an executive order Wednesday restoring their voting …

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Council meeting on $99,000 Des Moines police ammo purchase ends abruptly

Des Moines Register: A virtual Des Moines City Council meeting, where officials were set to consider the purchase of $99,000 in ammunition for the police department, ended abruptly without a vote after city officials were …

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Urbandale, Waukee school boards defy governor’s order

Des Moines Register: The Urbandale School Board voted unanimously on Monday to continue online-only learning at Rolling Green Elementary School, defying Gov. Kim Reynolds’ order that schools must resume in-person instruction. The Waukee School Board …

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Anderson-Seeber appointed Iowa district court judge

Melissa Anderson-Seeber of Hudson has been appointed a district court judge for district 1B, which includes Black Hawk, Buchanan, Chickasaw, Fayette, Grundy and Howard counties. Anderson-Seeber, whose appointment was made by Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds, …

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Cedar Rapids, Urban Dreams launch workforce training apprenticeship program

The city of Cedar Rapids and the Des Moines-based nonprofit Urban Dreams are launching a new workforce training apprenticeship program for Cedar Rapids. The program focuses on adults and young people from the city’s underserved …

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Iowa denies Urbandale request to extend online classes, could set precedent for other districts

Des Moines Register: The Iowa Department of Education says students at Urbandale’s Rolling Green Elementary School must return to in-person classes by Friday. The state denied the district’s request to continue holding classes online at …

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Former Des Moines Councilman Tom Vlassis dies

Former Des Moines councilman Tom Vlassis has died, KCCI reported Saturday. He was 84 years old. The Des Moines native had a degree in pharmacy from Drake University and owned multiple pharmacies across the metro with partners. …

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NOTEBOOK: A look at what did, and didn’t, happen on three priorities for Iowa business in the 2020 legislative session

When this year’s Iowa Legislature adjourned in mid-June after a session cut short by the coronavirus pandemic, lawmakers had passed several measures they say will benefit the state’s business community. 

From easing what were some …

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36,000 sign petition asking Reynolds to reverse in-person schooling requirement

Cedar Rapids Gazette: The Iowa State Education Association said 36,000 Iowans signed a petition urging Gov. Kim Reynolds to reverse her proclamation requiring schools to meet in-person at least 50 percent of the time this school …

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