Iowa officials say the state is in the process of building a centralized database for Iowans to register for a COVID-19 vaccination. At the statehouse, Republican senators have advanced a bill directing Iowa schools to require students to only use bathrooms that align with their sex assigned at birth. Advocates for transgender students say this bill would lead to more bullying and harassment and would make school bathrooms less safe. Plus, IPR’s Kate Payne tells us 70 percent of the public tree canopy in Cedar Rapids was lost from the derecho that hit Iowa in August and the city is now advancing a plan to regrow its urban forest.

The Iowa Senate has passed a 2.2 percent increase in state funding for K-12 schools. That’s lower than what Governor Kim Reynolds requested and what the Iowa House proposed. The Cedar Rapids City Council gave final approval to the creation of a citizen review board on Tuesday establishing a new oversight panel of the city’s police officers. Plus, IPR’s Kassidy Arena introduces us to a small group of people in Des Moines who are working to make sure elderly individuals are staying safe during the pandemic while not losing out on cultural traditions.

The Iowa Senate has passed a 2.2 percent increase in state funding for K-12 schools. That’s lower than what Governor Kim Reynolds requested and what the Iowa House proposed. The Cedar Rapids City Council gave final approval to the creation of a citizen review board on Tuesday establishing a new oversight panel of the city’s police officers. Plus, IPR’s Kassidy Arena introduces us to a small group of people in Des Moines who are working to make sure elderly individuals are staying safe during the pandemic while not losing out on cultural traditions.

Iowa Democrats say they heard Republican Governor Kim Reynolds did not consult the state department of health before removing the state’s partial mask mandate this weekend and her office is not denying it. School funding is moving ahead in the Iowa legislature but with side effects thanks to a drop in enrollment because of the pandemic. Plus, IPR’s Charity Nebbe remembers newspaper columnist, author and broadcaster Evelyn Birkby of Sidney, Iowa. She died at the age of 101 on Sunday. Nebbe says Birkby was a trailblazer and an inspiration to many in Iowa and beyond.

Iowa Democrats say they heard Republican Governor Kim Reynolds did not consult the state department of health before removing the state’s partial mask mandate this weekend and her office is not denying it. School funding is moving ahead in the Iowa legislature but with side effects thanks to a drop in enrollment because of the pandemic. Plus, IPR’s Charity Nebbe remembers newspaper columnist, author and broadcaster Evelyn Birkby of Sidney, Iowa. She died at the age of 101 on Sunday. Nebbe says Birkby was a trailblazer and an inspiration to many in Iowa and beyond.

Governor Kim Reynolds has lifted her very limited mask mandate and removed restrictions for businesses and social gatherings. These moves were made in an effort to lessen the spread of coronavirus in the state. The presidents of the Iowa's three regents universities are pushing back against Republicans in the legislature who want to end tenure systems at Iowa State University, the University of Iowa and the University of Northern Iowa. Plus, a check in with IPR State Government reporter Katarina Sostaric to discuss what happened last week in the Iowa legislature and what to expect with education spending decisions this week.

Governor Kim Reynolds has lifted her very limited mask mandate and removed restrictions for businesses and social gatherings. These moves were made in an effort to lessen the spread of coronavirus in the state. The presidents of the Iowa's three regents universities are pushing back against Republicans in the legislature who want to end tenure systems at Iowa State University, the University of Iowa and the University of Northern Iowa. Plus, a check in with IPR State Government reporter Katarina Sostaric to discuss what happened last week in the Iowa legislature and what to expect with education spending decisions this week.

Governor Kim Reynolds says state officials are looking into why Iowa has one of the lowest vaccination rates per capita in the country. The state has started vaccinating those in phase 1b this week, but IPR Health reporter Natalie Krebs tells us that it’s creating big challenges for local health departments, especially in rural areas. Plus, we’ll hear from educators and families as they prepare for fully in-person school on February 15th even as safety fears persist amidst the pandemic.

Governor Kim Reynolds says state officials are looking into why Iowa has one of the lowest vaccination rates per capita in the country. The state has started vaccinating those in phase 1b this week, but IPR Health reporter Natalie Krebs tells us that it’s creating big challenges for local health departments, especially in rural areas. Plus, we’ll hear from educators and families as they prepare for fully in-person school on February 15th even as safety fears persist amidst the pandemic.

After a successful first day of vaccinating Iowans over the age of 65, leaders at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics say they’re eager to scale up their efforts. IPR’s Katarina Sostaric explains why advocates for LGBTQ Iowans say some Republican state lawmakers are proposing more policies than ever before targeting transgender youth. Plus, Democrat Rita Hart has filed a response to Republican Representative Mariannette Miller-Meeks’ effort to toss out her challenge of the race for Iowa’s 2nd Congressional District from November.