Here First

Freezing rain is expected in much of the state today. An attempt to stop casino development in the state for the next five years has been blocked by the Iowa Senate. And immigration advocates in northwest Iowa are trying to stop misinformation while also supporting migrants.

Iowa Republicans and Democrats propose different amounts to increase education funding. Students and community members gathered in Iowa City last night protesting against mass deportations. And, yes—it has been a very mild winter.

Bird flu was detected in an Iowa commercial poultry flock over the weekend. Caitlin Clark has retired her University of Iowa jersey. And it's legislative Monday! Will a casino license moratorium pass the Iowa Senate this week?

Iowans with disabilities are asking lawmakers to loosen Medicaid income limits so they can advance their careers and get married without losing coverage. An investigation by the state auditor's office found that an Iowa Workforce Development program director embezzled more than $430,000 over a seven year period. And a bill advancing in the Iowa House would prevent in-state tuition hikes of more than 3 percent at Iowa's public universities.

Taxes in Cedar Rapids will go up for a new data center. Foster care advocates say social workers caseloads need to be lower. And a bill would require "In God We Trust" to de displayed at the main entrances of Iowa public school buildings.

The Iowa Legislature is trying to set general education requirements at the public universities. Governor Kim Reynolds comments on frozen federal funds. And resettlement agencies in Iowa are losing key funding.

State lawmakers are advancing a bill that would block a casino in Cedar Rapids. Some Iowa Democrats in the state capitol have a different take on cell phone policy in classrooms. And Governor Kim Reynolds spoke at the Prayer Rally for Life yesterday. Correction: An earlier version of Here First reported a bill in the Iowa House would lift a license requirement for some homeschool teachers. If the bill was passed, it would not change that requirement.

Illegal reentry cannot be enforced in Iowa for now. There are disputes over the state's proposed science standards. And what happened last week in the state legislature?

Immigration advocates are asking people to not spread unverified information about ICE in Iowa. A Christian organization is lobbying to require fetal development lessons starting in first grade in Iowa. And a look at the battle over the so-called 'swampbuster' law.

There are five Iowa nonprofits that are allowed to pay people with disabilities less than minimum wage. A town impacted by last year's flooding is finding the funds to repair the city's wastewater treatment system. And there's another attempt in the legislature to limit cellphone use while driving.