Here First

State attorneys are asking a panel of federal judges to overturn a court ruling from September that blocked enforcement of Iowa’s ban on school mask mandates. Shipping containers are in high demand and in short supply and supply chain shortages are posing a unique problem for Iowa’s dairy industry. Plus, IPR’s Katie Peikes reports on how many universities are turning to agribusinesses to help fund new facilities.

John Deere workers have ended a five-week long strike and are back on the job after approving a new contract with the company. A new review commissioned after the 2020 derecho says local and state emergency managers need more ways to share information and stay in contact during widespread and long-term power outages. Plus, in September, a federal judge ruled that Iowa schools must be allowed to require masks. Now state attorneys are appealing that decision, arguing the judge went too far.

A jury has convicted Steven Vogel, a white man, of first degree murder and abuse of a corpse, in the killing of Michael Williams. The Des Moines area’s public transportation system has begun a new pilot program serving parts of Ankeny. Plus, employers in the state are trying to figure out if they’ll have to fire unvaccinated workers to comply with federal mandates, or if they should waive the requirements under a new Iowa law.

Iowa’s only Democrat in Congress is celebrating the bipartisan infrastructure plan signed Monday by President Joe Biden. A new report has found Iowa has scored below the national average in several categories relating to lung cancer rates. Plus, the Mason City School Board Monday night approved beginning the process of retiring “Mohawks” as the district’s mascot and nickname.

Governor Kim Reynolds is offering a narrow interpretation of the bill she signed into law last month about COVID-19 vaccination requirements for private sector workers. The Iowa Department of Corrections is continuing to struggle with recruiting and retaining its workers. Plus, a refugee resettlement agency has won the bid to create the statewide plan for English Language Learners through the federal Office of Refugee Resettlement.

Absentee voting begins Friday in the runoff election for Cedar Rapids’ mayor’s race. Iowa’s governor is taking the rare step of rejecting two nominees for an open judgeship, saying a judge who chaired the nominating commission tainted the process by favoring one candidate and opposing others. Plus, Sioux City residents had the opportunity to share their feedback to the city’s police department.

State public health officials say Iowa’s overall vaccination rate keeps inching up but certain parts of the state are lagging behind. Republican Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks will move from her home in Ottumwa to run in Iowa’s newly redrawn 1st Congressional District. Plus, the Iowa Department of Public Health has recently started its search for a new state medical director.

The Iowa-Nebraska NAACP is joining the fight against a plan to use pandemic relief funds to build a new juvenile detention center in Scott County. A group of U.S. Senators, including Iowa’s Chuck Grassley, has reached a deal they hope will make cattle markets more fair to independent producers. Plus, after major flooding in 2019, a small town in western Iowa is steadily making progress towards building a protective flood barrier.

Now that Congress has passed a $1.2 trillion infrastructure plan, Third District Representative Cindy Axne says Democrats have the momentum to pass an even larger package of social programs. National Latino leaders are expressing concern about changes in Iowa’s voting laws. Plus, a shelter in Des Moines held a ribbon-cutting on Monday for new apartments that’ll provide long-term supportive housing to Iowans experiencing homelessness.

Fairfield residents held a vigil over the weekend for a beloved Spanish teacher who police believe was killed by two students. Iowa health care providers have started giving Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine to kids age 5 to 11. Plus, there are concerning levels of contamination in public water systems across Iowa, according to an environmental group that sets its own health standards.