Here First

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.

COVID-19 vaccine appointments are now open to all eligible Iowans. But some pharmacists say they’re experiencing issues with no shows. During a Des Moines City Council meeting Monday night, more than 30 local activists and community members called for the police to remove two officers from a de-escalation training team. Plus, the Iowa Department of Education has postponed a social justice and equity conference for educators in response to a Republican-backed bill moving in the Iowa Legislature. IPR’s Katarina Sostaric explains the state education department says they postponed it because of pending legislation that could impact diversity and equity content.

COVID-19 vaccine appointments are now open to all eligible Iowans. But some pharmacists say they’re experiencing issues with no shows. During a Des Moines City Council meeting Monday night, more than 30 local activists and community members called for the police to remove two officers from a de-escalation training team. Plus, the Iowa Department of Education has postponed a social justice and equity conference for educators in response to a Republican-backed bill moving in the Iowa Legislature. IPR’s Katarina Sostaric explains the state education department says they postponed it because of pending legislation that could impact diversity and equity content.

Monday marks the first day all Iowans 16 and older are eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine in the state. IPR Health reporter Natalie Krebs explains how Iowans can sign-up to get the vaccine. The president of the Iowa State University student crew club has released details about the conditions of a lake that lead to the capsizing of their boat on March 28 and the drowning of two students. Plus, Governor Kim Reynolds signed a bill into law late last week that that will allow Iowans to buy or carry a concealed handgun without a permit. IPR State Government reporter Katarina Sostaric goes over the new law and discusses what made it through another self-imposed deadline at the statehouse.

Monday marks the first day all Iowans 16 and older are eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine in the state. IPR Health reporter Natalie Krebs explains how Iowans can sign-up to get the vaccine. The president of the Iowa State University student crew club has released details about the conditions of a lake that lead to the capsizing of their boat on March 28 and the drowning of two students. Plus, Governor Kim Reynolds signed a bill into law late last week that that will allow Iowans to buy or carry a concealed handgun without a permit. IPR State Government reporter Katarina Sostaric goes over the new law and discusses what made it through another self-imposed deadline at the statehouse.

A bill creating an independent system of publicly-funded charter schools is advancing in the legislature. A number of bipartisan bills have failed ahead of a deadline this week at the statehouse. Democratic lawmakers, who are in the minority, are disappointed that proposals related to pandemic relief did not advance. We hear about what details officials have told the public regarding the drowning of two Iowa State University students this week who were part of the college’s crew club. Plus, COVID-19 vaccine appointments will open to all eligible Iowans on Monday. IPR Health reporter Natalie Krebs explains why some Iowans say they don’t want to get vaccinated.

A bill creating an independent system of publicly-funded charter schools is advancing in the legislature. A number of bipartisan bills have failed ahead of a deadline this week at the statehouse. Democratic lawmakers, who are in the minority, are disappointed that proposals related to pandemic relief did not advance. We hear about what details officials have told the public regarding the drowning of two Iowa State University students this week who were part of the college’s crew club. Plus, COVID-19 vaccine appointments will open to all eligible Iowans on Monday. IPR Health reporter Natalie Krebs explains why some Iowans say they don’t want to get vaccinated.

Democrat Rita Hart announced on Wednesday that she is dropping her challenge of the election result in Iowa’s 2nd Congressional District. IPR’s Kate Payne lays out the details of her announcement and the escalating campaign by Republicans across the country that aimed to block the Congressional review of the historically close race. Governor Kim Reynolds announced the state will start sending coronavirus vaccines to colleges and universities next week. Plus, months after testing positive for COVID-19, some Iowans continue to suffer from symptoms that are totally debilitating. We hear the story of one Iowa long-hauler and his family.

Democrat Rita Hart announced on Wednesday that she is dropping her challenge of the election result in Iowa’s 2nd Congressional District. IPR’s Kate Payne lays out the details of her announcement and the escalating campaign by Republicans across the country that aimed to block the Congressional review of the historically close race. Governor Kim Reynolds announced the state will start sending coronavirus vaccines to colleges and universities next week. Plus, months after testing positive for COVID-19, some Iowans continue to suffer from symptoms that are totally debilitating. We hear the story of one Iowa long-hauler and his family.

The names of the two Iowa State University students who died during a school crew club boat accident on Sunday have been released. A charter school expansion bill that passed the Iowa House last week is now advancing in the Senate. A Senate subcommittee advanced a bill on Tuesday that would allow nonprofit groups to establish tax-funded charter schools without input from a local school board. Plus, Some COVID-19 survivors are still suffering from persistent symptoms, weeks or even months after they first tested positive. IPR’s Kate Payne tells us that early estimates suggest there could be thousands of these “long-haulers” in Iowa.