Cedar Rapids Gazette: State Auditor Rob Sand, who is eyeing a run for governor next year, says Gov. Kim Reynolds violated Iowa law by using federal funds to pay for a public service announcement to raise public awareness in order to slow the spread of COVID-19. Reynolds violated a state law prohibiting the use of public money for self-promotion using the likeness, voice or name of the governor, Sand said today. According to his report, about $500,000 in federal coronavirus pandemic relief funds were used on the “Step Up, Stop the Spread” public awareness campaign. Another $17,000 spent producing the videos may have violated the law, the first-term Democratic added. Reynolds, a Republican, said Sand is misreading the state law. Her office issued a statement saying Sand’s accusation ignores the opening clause of the law referring to an exception that applies to the power and authority of the governor during a public health disaster emergency.