Here First

One University of Iowa basketball player is already cashing in on new name, image, and likeness rules, FEMA is looking at how officials handled an emergency preparedness drill at a nuclear plant near the Quad Cities, and despite last week’s rain, most of Iowa is still either abnormally dry or in drought.

Today marks the start of a new fiscal year and a few changes to Iowa law: Iowans no longer need a permit to buy or carry a handgun, and health care providers in the state are no longer required to receive the same reimbursement to telemedicine visits as they would for in-person visits.

There are still disparities in access to full-time, in-person learning for students of color in Iowa. That’s according to research recently released from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. We hear more about the findings from IPR’s Kassidy Arena. The first Black female mayor elected in the state of Iowa has died. Plus, massive protests against police brutality got most of the headlines last spring. IPR’s Katarina Sostaric reports on how organizers in Iowa were also starting to come together to help people in need and are continuing their efforts.

The Des Moines City Council passed a resolution Monday night praising the city manager and police chief’s work to reduce racial bias in policing and city services. IPR’s Grant Gerlock explains the vote of confidence came as social justice demonstrators at the meeting criticized the city’s work on racial inequality. Iowa State University will be a part of a test site of research and development to boost rural broadband connectivity in central Iowa. IPR’s Katie Peikes tells us that the university hopes to bridge the rural-urban divide on internet access. Plus, Republicans eyeing a presidential run in 2024 are already descending on Iowa.

As demand for the COVID-19 vaccine continues to decline in Iowa, just 45 percent of the state’s total population has been fully vaccinated for the virus. IPR Health reporter Natalie Krebs tells us that one expert says this means the state is unlikely to reach President Biden’s July 4 goal of 70%. Increasingly, states in the Midwest are allowing their COVID-19 emergency declarations to expire. Harvest Public Media’s Dana Cronin explains that means additional assistance from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, has gone away. Plus, the Iowa Supreme Court has ruled that employers cannot subject all warehouse employees to random drug testing by designating them as having “safety sensitive” jobs.

The Iowa Board of Regents held its first meeting on Thursday regarding proposed tuition hikes for all three state universities. IPR’s Kate Payne has the details about the meeting. Former ambassador and South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley addressed fellow Republicans in Des Moines Thursday night. IPR’s Grant Gerlock reports on the message she brought Iowa Republicans. Plus, IPR Agriculture reporter Katie Peikes reports on how the ethanol industry is working to be a bigger player in helping slow climate change.

Governor Kim Reynolds announced Wednesday; the state is putting a total of $30 million dollars in federal relief money into three new education initiatives. IPR State Government reporter Katarina Sostaric has the details. Allegations of racial discrimination in the University of Iowa football program are a factor for some recruits considering joining the team. Former players have brought a federal civil rights suit against Hawkeye coaches and administrators, claiming a culture of harassment and a pattern of mistreatment against Black players. Plus, the housing market is experiencing a boom right now and some entrepreneurs are looking at it as an opportunity to grow their own businesses.

A district court judge has ruled Iowa’s law requiring a 24-hour abortion waiting period is unconstitutional and can’t be enforced. IPR State Government reporter Katarina Sostaric explains that Republican lawmakers passed it last June, even though the Iowa Supreme Court had previously determined a 72-hour waiting period is unconstitutional. University of Iowa Football Coach Kirk Ferentz says the shift towards compensating student athletes for playing is a “positive” development. IPR’s Kate Payne has reaction from the Hawkeye head coach to the U.S. Supreme Court overturning a NCAA rule limiting education-related compensation for college players. Plus, the Department of Corrections is staffing up.

The Board of Regents will consider a proposal for tuition increases at the three state universities in a meeting later this week. State lawmakers denied the board’s request for an increase in funding in 2021. The number of travelers at Iowa airports is rebounding from the impact of the pandemic, but IPR’s Grant Gerlock tells us it is not yet back to normal. Plus, demand for the COVID-19 vaccine in Iowa has dropped sharply and the state hasn’t yet reached the level of herd immunity. IPR Health reporter Natalie Krebs has an update on the state’s vaccination campaign.

An annual report by the Annie E. Casey Foundation has ranked Iowa ninth overall for child well-being. IPR Health reporter Natalie Krebs explains that The Kids Count report ranks states on economic well-being, education, health as well as family and community. Entrepreneurs and artists lined the streets of downtown Des Moines Saturday to celebrate Juneteenth as well as Pride Month. IPR’s Kassidy Arena tells us they were taking part in the very first 515 Manifestival. Plus, the CEO of Iowa's largest water utility says Friday’s Iowa Supreme Court's dismissal of a lawsuit that was seeking mandatory regulation of farm fertilizer in the Raccoon River watershed is a setback.