Here First

Republican leaders in Iowa say they want to wait for the U.S. Supreme Court to rule on federal vaccine mandates before passing more laws to limit them. Nearly one year after the U.S. Capitol insurrection, one of the six Iowans charged with federal crimes has pleaded guilty. Plus, Nebraska’s plans to construct casinos along Iowa’s western border could lead to a significant loss in revenue for Iowa’s gaming industry.

State public health data indicates Iowa is beginning the new year with a large surge in coronavirus cases. Tiffany O’Donnell was officially sworn into office on Monday as the new mayor of Cedar Rapids. Plus, Iowa State University researchers have figured out a way to convert a powerful greenhouse gas into chemicals used to make plastic bags and milk cartons and keep methane out of the atmosphere.

Health experts are urging Iowans to think twice about going to the emergency room for non-emergencies as COVID-19 hospitalizations across the state remain high. More Iowa schools are lifting their mask mandates when classes restart this week. Plus, a project from Iowa State University is working on solutions for the affordable housing crisis.

Local public health officials say they’re asking the public to report positive test results from rapid at-home COVID-19 tests. An Iowa school district is adding a dual language program for next year’s kindergarteners. Plus, a California law banning the sale of pork from pigs confined in small spaces takes effect on Saturday and IPR’s Katie Peikes reports that Iowa pork producers say the law creates some challenges.

A father and son accused of taking part in the January 6th attack on the U.S. Capitol are expected to plead guilty to federal charges in a hearing next week. Iowa health officials are reporting COVID-19 hospitalizations have dropped for the second week in a row. Plus, trace amounts of the toxic compounds known as PFAS were detected in well water and drinking water in West Des Moines as part of statewide monitoring by the Iowa DNR.

The chair of the Iowa Board of Parole says he's working on a bill to establish a compassionate release policy for incarcerated people. A California law banning the sale of pork from pigs confined in small spaces will take effect on January 1st. But Iowa's senior U.S. Senator says a related appeal could soon reach the U.S. Supreme Court. Plus, conservation experts say fewer farmers are implementing environmentally-friendly techniques on their land due to the current farm economy.

Iowa lawmakers are working on ideas for attracting and retaining teachers from more diverse backgrounds. Downtown Sioux City is seeing growth after the completion of four major construction and renovation projects. And, Happy Birthday, Iowa! Our state joined the Union 175 years ago today.

As Iowa continues to experience a more severe flu season this year, University of Iowa researchers have developed an online game to teach kids about influenza. The family of a retired Iowa school superintendent believes he was an indirect victim of the COVID-19 pandemic. Plus, the number of hungry families across the Midwest has gone down over the past year but they’re not out of the woods yet.

Iowa health officials are reporting COVID-19 hospitalizations and test positivity rates have dropped but experts are still warning Iowans to be cautious over the holidays. A review by the Iowa attorney general's office finds that two Iowa State Patrol troopers were justified in an Iowa Falls shooting that left one man dead. Plus, a University of Iowa researcher is eager to see what NASA’s new space telescope is able to find at the edges of the universe.

A federal watchdog says the Trump administration overpaid corn farmers by about $3 billion in federal aid in 2019. The top Democrat in the Iowa House of Representatives says her number one priority for the upcoming legislative session is addressing the state’s workforce crisis. Plus, the Des Moines Water Works board has approved plans to negotiate with neighboring communities to create a regional water system.