Here First

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.

A spokesperson for the Iowa Department of Public Health says “it is likely" that the B.1.1.7 variant is the most common in the state. The University of Iowa held its first public forum on Monday with one of the candidates to be the school’s next president. Hari Osofsky is currently the dean of the schools of Law and International Affairs at Penn State. IPR’s Kate Payne tells us about her public forum. House Republicans have advanced a state education budget that includes no increase in funding for Iowa State University, the University of Northern Iowa, and the University of Iowa. Plus, we hear a report from Harvest Public Media about farmers along the Missouri River who are suing the Army Corps of Engineers for their management of the river.

A spokesperson for the Iowa Department of Public Health says “it is likely" that the B.1.1.7 variant is the most common in the state. The University of Iowa held its first public forum on Monday with one of the candidates to be the school’s next president. Hari Osofsky is currently the dean of the schools of Law and International Affairs at Penn State. IPR’s Kate Payne tells us about her public forum. House Republicans have advanced a state education budget that includes no increase in funding for Iowa State University, the University of Northern Iowa, and the University of Iowa. Plus, we hear a report from Harvest Public Media about farmers along the Missouri River who are suing the Army Corps of Engineers for their management of the river.

Hundreds of mourners lined the highway into Independence as the hearse carrying the body of 51-year-old Iowa State Patrol Sergeant Jim Smith passed by on Sunday. Smith was shot to death late Friday night during a stand-off with a Grundy Center man. Getting to COVID-19 vaccine appointments can be challenging for Iowans who are unable to leave their homes without assistance. More efforts have been made to reach out to Iowa’s Latino communities about COVID-19 vaccines, but IPR’s Kassidy Arena reports that they’re not always successful. Plus, a conversation with IPR State Government reporter Katarina Sostaric about recent happenings at the statehouse.

Hundreds of mourners lined the highway into Independence as the hearse carrying the body of 51-year-old Iowa State Patrol Sergeant Jim Smith passed by on Sunday. Smith was shot to death late Friday night during a stand-off with a Grundy Center man. Getting to COVID-19 vaccine appointments can be challenging for Iowans who are unable to leave their homes without assistance. More efforts have been made to reach out to Iowa’s Latino communities about COVID-19 vaccines, but IPR’s Kassidy Arena reports that they’re not always successful. Plus, a conversation with IPR State Government reporter Katarina Sostaric about recent happenings at the statehouse.

Governor Kim Reynolds says she has rejected a federal request to accept migrant children into the state, saying the need to find homes for them "is the president's problem.” Black Lives Matter activists protested at the Iowa Capitol on Thursday. They’re asking lawmakers to reject bills that would increase police protections, raise penalties for protest-related crimes, and limit diversity and inclusion lessons. Plus, the Iowa Department of Human Services is considering policies to encourage more staff members at its six facilities to take the COVID-19 vaccine. IPR’s Natalie Krebs explains most recent numbers from the department indicate 36% of employees have declined the vaccine.

Governor Kim Reynolds says she has rejected a federal request to accept migrant children into the state, saying the need to find homes for them "is the president's problem.” Black Lives Matter activists protested at the Iowa Capitol on Thursday. They’re asking lawmakers to reject bills that would increase police protections, raise penalties for protest-related crimes, and limit diversity and inclusion lessons. Plus, the Iowa Department of Human Services is considering policies to encourage more staff members at its six facilities to take the COVID-19 vaccine. IPR’s Natalie Krebs explains most recent numbers from the department indicate 36% of employees have declined the vaccine.

Gov. Kim Reynolds says she strongly opposes the use of vaccine passports. Reynolds said at a press conference on Wednesday that she is prepared to take action against them through either the legislature or executive order. The Board of Regents has released the schedule for on-campus visits for the finalists in the search for a new University of Iowa president. The four finalists will begin visiting the Iowa City campus on Monday. Plus, U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley says he’s disappointed with President Biden’s infrastructure plan.

Gov. Kim Reynolds says she strongly opposes the use of vaccine passports. Reynolds said at a press conference on Wednesday that she is prepared to take action against them through either the legislature or executive order. The Board of Regents has released the schedule for on-campus visits for the finalists in the search for a new University of Iowa president. The four finalists will begin visiting the Iowa City campus on Monday. Plus, U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley says he’s disappointed with President Biden’s infrastructure plan.

Republicans in the Iowa Senate voted Tuesday to add language to the Iowa Constitution that says it doesn’t protect abortion rights. IPR’s Katarina Sostaric explains that it’s the first time Republicans in both the House and Senate voted for a constitutional amendment to limit abortion rights. But they approved different language. The leader of the labor union representing Iowa corrections officers says a proposed budget increase for next year is not enough to provide safe working conditions in Iowa prisons. Plus, former Quad-Cities U.S. Representative Bobby Schilling died from cancer on Tuesday.