Here First

Iowa’s only Democratic member of Congress says Democrats are working at the federal level to protect abortion rights following the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe vs. Wade. Iowa Republicans came out of the June primary elections with a big advantage in registered voters. Plus, a Northwestern Iowa farmer faces thousands of dollars in fines after a manure digester located on his farm leaked wastewater into tributaries of the Rock River.

The Iowa Supreme Court has declined the governor’s request to rehear an abortion case it decided less than a month ago. Residents of Linn, Johnson, Cedar, Clinton and Scott counties will have a chance in September to share their thoughts about another proposed CO2 pipeline. Plus, on July 16, Iowans in need of mental health services and support will have a new number to call but some worry about how prepared the state is to launch the new line.

Monkeypox has been detected in Iowa. More men are seeking vasectomies since the Supreme Court ruling overturning Roe v. Wade. And Gov. Kim Reynolds says she is willing to wait to see if another network picks up the “Field of Dreams” television series that received state funding.

A new law taking effect shortens the time laid off workers in Iowa can receive unemployment assistance. The Iowa Supreme Court has reversed a long-standing precedent that allowed landowners to sue for damages when a neighboring hog farm causes water pollution or odor problems. Plus, the year-old American Rescue Plan included four billion dollars worth of debt relief for farmers of color and those farmers are still waiting.

Governor Kim Reynolds says she won’t call a special legislative session on abortion while she pursues court action to restrict abortion. Federal health officials are reporting the number of COVID-19 hospitalizations in Iowa has dropped in the past week. Plus, research shows that some farmers in the LGBTQ community take a different approach to farming.

Governor Kim Reynolds is asking Iowa courts to allow a law to take effect that would ban most abortions after about six weeks into a pregnancy. At a stop in Sioux City on Tuesday, Democratic gubernatorial candidate Deidre DeJear said she would fight for abortion access in Iowa. Plus, the record-setting housing market has slowed some but it is far from hitting a full stop.

An Iowa man has been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for fatally shooting an Iowa State Patrol trooper last year during a standoff and shootout with police. A list of three Iowa Supreme Court nominees is now with Governor Kim Reynolds. Plus, some companies with large Iowa presences will cover travel expenses for employees seeking abortions in the wake of Friday's U.S. Supreme Court ruling that gave states the ability to ban the procedure.

Crowds gathered in many Iowa cities over the past three days to protest the end of nationwide abortion rights. Democratic Congresswoman Cindy Axne of West Des Moines and Republican Senator Joni Ernst voted for the bipartisan gun bill President Biden signed into law this weekend. Plus, work will begin Monday on the final portion of a long-awaited bridge that will benefit thousands of fans on football game days in Ames.

Iowa Democrats made their case to their national party to keep the Iowa caucuses in the early presidential nominating calendar. Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley voted no and Senator Joni Ernst voted yes on the bipartisan gun bill that passed the U.S. Senate. A western Iowa town will hold its very first Immigrant Heritage Festival tomorrow. Plus, Iowa State University is suspending its men’s hockey club from competition next year in response to allegations of hazing.

Federal officials signed off on the use of the Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines for children as young as six months late last week. But Iowa health care providers say parents may have to be patient when seeking out an appointment for the new pediatric dose. Iowa’s new law that protects older residents will go into effect on July 1st, and advocates say it’s been in the works for 10 years. Plus, a new study by Iowa State University economists says there’s not enough evidence to show fertilizer companies are taking advantage of inflation to raise their prices.