Here First

The Iowa House and Senate are still at odds over the state’s health budget. Speakers from different faith and advocacy organizations reminded Iowans to continue the fight for racial equity at a vigil Thursday night in Des Moines. IPR’s Grant Gerlock explains that the ACLU of Iowa is suing the state for denying Medicaid coverage for transgender Iowans to receive gender-affirming surgery. The fourth and final candidate vying to be the next University of Iowa president held a public forum on Thursday. Plus, as more people get vaccinated against COVID-19, daily life is beginning to look more like pre-pandemic times and that worries some people. Side Effects Public Media’s Darian Benson reports on the anxiety of coming out of the pandemic.

Governor Kim Reynolds, a Republican, reacted Wednesday to this week’s verdict in the trial of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin for killing George Floyd last year. The leader of the Iowa National Guard is encouraging all eligible Iowans to get vaccinated for COVID-19 as demand for the vaccine appears to be decreasing. Plus, IPR Health reporter Natalie Krebs reports on the pause of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine and how it has disrupted clinics aimed at vaccinating some of Iowa’s most vulnerable residents, those experiencing homelessness.

People in Iowa joined those across the country in reacting to Tuesday's verdicts in the Derek Chauvin trial. IPR’s Kassidy Arena also has reaction from a state lawmaker who has been active in advocating for racial justice in Iowa. At the statehouse, a group of Iowa school districts with voluntary diversity plans would have to end open enrollment restrictions under a bill now headed to Governor Kim Reynolds. Plus, Senate Republicans are making another attempt to pass legislation that would require additional verification of Iowans’ eligibility for food assistance and Medicaid.

A top workplace safety regulator has warned the Republican leaders of the Iowa Legislature that conditions inside the state Capitol are hazardous and may be exposing workers to the coronavirus. Community activists in Des Moines are continuing to call for a police officer accused in the past of excessive force to be removed as a de-escalation trainer for the department. IPR’s Grant Gerlock has a brief recap of Monday’s Des Moines city council meeting. Plus, IPR’s Katarina Sostaric explains that the city of Cedar Rapids’ insurance carrier has agreed to pay an $8 million settlement related to a 2016 police shooting of a Black man.

A bill that criminalizes certain types of trespassing on agricultural properties has passed the Iowa legislature and now awaits Governor Kim Reynolds’ signature. In Congress, Republican Congresswoman Ashley Hinson is co-sponsoring legislation to make a retroactive change in the federal Paycheck Protection Program for some farmers and small business owners. Democratic Congresswoman Cindy Axne is calling on congressional leaders to include money for the renewable fuels industry in the infrastructure bill they're crafting. Plus, we check in with IPR State Government reporter Katarina Sostaric about current issues at the statehouse.

State health officials have announced that the first case of a COVID-19 variant, commonly known as the Brazilian variant, has been confirmed in Iowa. Iowa City’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission has resumed operations, after city officials temporarily suspended it following a string of resignations and contentious public meetings. IPR’s Kate Payne explains the city council has since filled the vacancies and held a joint meeting with the new board Thursday night while local Black Lives Matter activists held their own commission meeting. Plus, we conclude Harvest Public Media’s series on Midwest rivers with reports from Illinois and Oklahoma.

State health officials have announced that the first case of a COVID-19 variant, commonly known as the Brazilian variant, has been confirmed in Iowa. Iowa City’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission has resumed operations, after city officials temporarily suspended it following a string of resignations and contentious public meetings. IPR’s Kate Payne explains the city council has since filled the vacancies and held a joint meeting with the new board Thursday night while local Black Lives Matter activists held their own commission meeting. Plus, we conclude Harvest Public Media’s series on Midwest rivers with reports from Illinois and Oklahoma.

Governor Kim Reynolds says she expects the temporary pause in the use of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine to be manageable for Iowa. IPR Health reporter Natalie Krebs updates us on the coronavirus vaccine rollout in the state. Republicans in the Iowa Senate have advanced a $6.3 million budget increase for the Department of Corrections, less than the House proposal to raise prison funding by $20 million. Both chambers are proposing bigger increases than usual in response to the killings last month of two Anamosa prison employees. Plus, a report from Harvest Public Media on the unclear affect and environmental benefits of the green energy movement on barges.

Governor Kim Reynolds says she expects the temporary pause in the use of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine to be manageable for Iowa. IPR Health reporter Natalie Krebs updates us on the coronavirus vaccine rollout in the state. Republicans in the Iowa Senate have advanced a $6.3 million budget increase for the Department of Corrections, less than the House proposal to raise prison funding by $20 million. Both chambers are proposing bigger increases than usual in response to the killings last month of two Anamosa prison employees. Plus, a report from Harvest Public Media on the unclear affect and environmental benefits of the green energy movement on barges.

A top state health expert is urging Iowans to be patient and not make judgments about the Johnson and Johnson COVID-19 vaccine until data has been analyzed by experts. The Iowa City Community School District is shortening the quarantine time for some students exposed to the coronavirus. IPR’s Grant Gerlock explains that the district had required a 14-day quarantine but the school board adopted guidelines from the Iowa Department of Public Health allowing students to go back after 10 days if they show no symptoms or 7 days with a negative coronavirus test. Plus, a small southwest Iowa town has been given the green light to build a levee higher to better defend it from flooding. IPR’s Katie Peikes reports on why this doesn’t occur much and what’s unique about it happening for Hamburg.