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Government Policy and Law

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Iowa faces rent assistance clawback

Axios Des Moines: Iowa could lose millions of dollars in federal emergency rent assistance due to slow distribution of a $195 million grant, federal officials warned the state this week. The state has disbursed less than …

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Reynolds joining other GOP governors at U.S.-Mexico border

Cedar Rapids Gazette: Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds will join nine other Republican governors Wednesday in visiting the Texas-Mexico border and holding a news conference to discuss what they term a “border crisis” and the Biden administration’s …

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Republicans in Iowa Legislature reject first redistricting maps

Cedar Rapids Gazette: The first set of proposed new political maps was rejected today during a key moment in Iowa’s decennial redistricting process. Iowa Senate Republicans all voted to reject the first set of proposed maps …

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Des Moines narrows proposed wildlife feeding ban

Axios Des Moines: A proposed wildlife feeding ban in Des Moines now only includes waterfowl and deer after the City Council reversed course on a far more expansive plan Monday night. Squirrels, feral cats, raccoons and …

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SNAP program benefits increase in October after federal review

Radio Iowa: Thousands of Iowans who receive benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) will see a boost in those benefits this month. “It will vary according to the benefits that a family or an …

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NAMI sues former affiliate Mindspring Mental Health for trademark infringement

The National Alliance on Mental Illness on Friday filed a federal lawsuit against Mindspring Mental Health Alliance Inc. in Des Moines, alleging that Mindspring has infringed on NAMI’s trademark and intellectual property protections by using …

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Des Moines cancels contract with security firm Conley Group

Des Moines Register: The city of Des Moines is canceling its contract with private security firm Conley Group after a Des Moines Register investigation revealed what city officials acknowledged were “concerning” comments made by the firm’s …

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Polk County’s new employee vaccine policy takes effect

Axios Des Moines: Starting today, Polk County’s 1,400 employees must show proof of COVID-19 vaccination or submit to weekly testing. Those who refuse both options will be considered insubordinate and face termination, county administrator John Norris …

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Cedar Rapids City Council adopts ‘aggressive’ Community Climate Action Plan

Cedar Rapids Gazette: The Cedar Rapids City Council on Tuesday adopted a plan committing Iowa’s second-largest city to action to slow the rapidly worsening climate, with targets to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 and to …

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Female DMPD employees allege harassment, discrimination in lawsuit

Des Moines Register: Five female police officers and employees are suing the city of Des Moines and its police department, saying they want to hold the department accountable for what they claim is the sexual harassment, …