Here First

Republicans in the Iowa House of Representatives have passed a bill banning “promoting divisive concepts” in schools and in government agency diversity trainings. Teachings that would be off limits include, quote, “that the U.S. and the state of Iowa are fundamentally or systemically racist or sexist.” Hear the details of the bill from IPR State Government reporter Katarina Sostaric. A large outdoor music festival in central Iowa is on for early August with new COVID-19 restrictions that will require masks, more social distancing and fewer tickets sold. Plus, for hundreds of children who’ve contracted COVID-19, there are lingering effects of the disease. Side Effects Public Media’s Farah Yousry reports on a condition called MISC.

Iowa House Republicans passed a bill on Monday that denies cities the ability to ban housing discrimination based on renters’ receipt of Section 8 vouchers. The bill would cancel these anti-discrimination ordinances in Iowa City, Des Moines and Marion starting in 2023. Iowa State University announced Monday night that it is parting ways with its men’s head basketball coach. Plus, IPR’s Kassidy Arena explains that efforts are underway to raise funds to help refugees resettle in central Iowa this year. The U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants field office in Des Moines is expecting an influx.

Iowa House Republicans passed a bill on Monday that denies cities the ability to ban housing discrimination based on renters’ receipt of Section 8 vouchers. The bill would cancel these anti-discrimination ordinances in Iowa City, Des Moines and Marion starting in 2023. Iowa State University announced Monday night that it is parting ways with its men’s head basketball coach. Plus, IPR’s Kassidy Arena explains that efforts are underway to raise funds to help refugees resettle in central Iowa this year. The U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants field office in Des Moines is expecting an influx.

There's a debate among economists about how the American economy will respond to the injection of $1.9 trillion from the new pandemic relief package. Republicans in the Iowa Senate have advanced a tax plan that would remove the revenue thresholds for income tax cuts to kick in, and phase out the inheritance tax. IPR State Government reporter Katarina Sostaric explains that this week’s revenue update and the latest federal pandemic relief package could change that plan. Plus, the people of Marshalltown were still recovering from a destructive tornado when they were hit with the COVID-19 pandemic and the derecho. IPR’s Kassidy Arena checks in with them a year into the pandemic.

There's a debate among economists about how the American economy will respond to the injection of $1.9 trillion from the new pandemic relief package. Republicans in the Iowa Senate have advanced a tax plan that would remove the revenue thresholds for income tax cuts to kick in, and phase out the inheritance tax. IPR State Government reporter Katarina Sostaric explains that this week’s revenue update and the latest federal pandemic relief package could change that plan. Plus, the people of Marshalltown were still recovering from a destructive tornado when they were hit with the COVID-19 pandemic and the derecho. IPR’s Kassidy Arena checks in with them a year into the pandemic.

Nearly a million Iowans have received the COVID-19 vaccine and some counties are holding large-scale clinics to get them in arms quickly. An Iowa Senate subcommittee is advancing a bill that would lift open enrollment limits in a handful of districts. IPR’s Grant Gerlock tells us that those districts have voluntary desegregation plans that supporters say preserve racial and economic diversity. Plus, for hatcheries, getting newborn chicks to their owner by mail is a race against time and weather disruptions make things trickier. We hear a report from Harvest Public Media about how hatcheries handle the extreme weather.

Nearly a million Iowans have received the COVID-19 vaccine and some counties are holding large-scale clinics to get them in arms quickly. An Iowa Senate subcommittee is advancing a bill that would lift open enrollment limits in a handful of districts. IPR’s Grant Gerlock tells us that those districts have voluntary desegregation plans that supporters say preserve racial and economic diversity. Plus, for hatcheries, getting newborn chicks to their owner by mail is a race against time and weather disruptions make things trickier. We hear a report from Harvest Public Media about how hatcheries handle the extreme weather.

A jury has found Des Moines Register reporter Andrea Sahouri not guilty in a case where she was accused of disobeying police while report on a racial justice protest last summer. IPR’s Grant Gerlock has been covering the trial all week and lays out the final day in court. Governor Kim Reynolds says the state is on track to vaccinate the millionth Iowan this week. Plus, a year into the coronavirus pandemic, IPR Health reporter Natalie Krebs checked in with some of the state’s hospitals and health care workers to see how they’re doing.

A jury has found Des Moines Register reporter Andrea Sahouri not guilty in a case where she was accused of disobeying police while report on a racial justice protest last summer. IPR’s Grant Gerlock has been covering the trial all week and lays out the final day in court. Governor Kim Reynolds says the state is on track to vaccinate the millionth Iowan this week. Plus, a year into the coronavirus pandemic, IPR Health reporter Natalie Krebs checked in with some of the state’s hospitals and health care workers to see how they’re doing.

A Latino civil rights group backed by Democratic attorneys has launched a legal challenge of Iowa’s new voting laws. The announcement comes a day after Governor Kim Reynolds signed sweeping election changes into law. The trial of a Des Moines Register reporter who was arrested during a Black Lives Matter protest last summer continued Tuesday in Des Moines. IPR’s Grant Gerlock details the testimony that was given by reporter Andrea Sahouri and others who took the stand. Plus, Republican lawmakers in the statehouse spent nearly two hours questioning and berating Ames school officials about their “Black Lives Matter at School” curriculum.