Here First

Groups supporting refugees are calling on lawmakers to create a path to permanent residency for Afghan nationals. Immigrant rights advocates are still accompanying immigrants to their check-in appointments in Cedar Rapids. And nurses in some central Iowa hospitals are getting ready to vote to unionize.

Some communities in northwest Iowa are still waiting for FEMA buyouts, a year and a half after devastating flooding. Iowa and several other states will be able to access a federal database to make sure non-citizens haven’t registered to vote. And the head of Iowa’s board of regents says she’s resigning this week.

An eastern Iowa county is starting a free Narcan distribution program. Public health experts are encouraging more Iowans to get the flu shot. And some areas in the state saw over a foot of snow this weekend.

Gov. Kim Reynolds says a property tax relief plan is still in the works. Several businesses in Iowa City had to close because of the building owners' debt. And two Iowa Congress members say they'll push to get a full Farm Bill passed next year.

Satanic Temple Iowa has been denied a request to host a holiday event at the state capitol. Republican candidates say they can't be apathetic going into the 2026 election. And how do bison help out with protecting grasslands?

An investigation into the Des Moines Public School board hiring former superintendent Ian Roberts has been released. Small business owners are feeling less confident going into the holidays. And Democratic candidates want to reverse state and federal Republican policies if they win elections.

The state department of education is revising a federal funding request after public feedback. Student homelessness is on the rise in central Iowa. And a pilot program allows EMS to conduct blood transfusions before patients arrive to the hospital.

A U.S. Assistant Attorney General is in Iowa to investigate competition in agriculture. A Republican state senator has ended his exploratory campaign for governor. And the federal farm bailout is still up in the air.

Both the Senate and House have passed a bill to release the Epstein files. A Minnesota-based newspaper company has about the Cedar Rapids Gazette. And Hinterland has announced its 2026 lineup.

The U.S. House of Representatives is expected to take a vote on the release of the Epstein files. Another lawsuit has been filed against the state over new pharmacy benefit manager regulations. And it's been a record corn harvest year.