Here First

Iowa nonprofit takes Selzer case pro bono, farmers' new feelings on ag economy, and elevated radon levels in Iowa homes. Also: John Deere announces more layoffs, and new info on physical activity's effects on chronic disease.

Republican lawmakers say they’re open to hearing what Gov. Kim Reynolds proposes for a cell phone policy for schools, but say they’re not sure how far the state should go with any legislation. Johnson County is expanding a program that helps families who get child care assistance from the state. And, Iowa has its first reported case of bird flu in 2025.

Water quality advocates will gather signatures in northeast Iowa today to stop a water use permit. Despite facing criticism, Rita Hart was reelected to serve another term as chair of the Iowa Democratic Party. And why is imported cooking oil top of mind for Midwestern senators?

The income limit to qualify for Medicaid postpartum in Iowa has dropped. A service tomorrow will remember the one year anniversary of the Perry High School shooting. And why is the ag economy sluggish?

Happy New Year! The state income tax is now a flat 3.8 percent. Mental health issues could be impacting housing opportunities for veterans in the state. And how many tornadoes were in Iowa last year?

A new study has found a widening disparity between urban and rural counties for cancer rates associated with the HPV virus. A final vote on a proposed Cedar Rapids casino is expected in the New Year – and the state’s existing casinos are lined up against the project. The state ombudsman says his office got fewer complaints last year, but still the fourth-highest number in the history of the office.

The number of children in Iowa vaccinated against measles, mumps and rubella has been declining in recent years. Iowans who crossed paths with Jimmy Carter when he was campaigning for the 1976 Iowa caucuses remember him as a down-to-earth politician. And former Iowa governor and outgoing U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack says he’s proud of federal programs that have helped increase the number of smaller farms in Iowa.

The top Republican in Iowa’s House of Representatives says he won’t stand in the way of legislation cracking down on drivers distracted by their phones. The U.S. has won a trade dispute with Mexico over genetically-engineered corn. And several Iowa airports will share millions of federal dollars for improvement projects, including a new terminal at the airport in Des Moines.

A small town in western Iowa is seeing slow but steady rebuilding progress eight months after a devastating tornado struck the community. A group of lawyers in Iowa has used financial grants to help prevent 25,000 Iowans from being evicted over the last three years. And some UI scientists plan to study whether liquefied CO2 can be stored deep beneath Council Bluffs.

The Farm Bill has been extended once again but includes new measures for farmers. Why are fatal opioid overdoses down? And Des Moines is asking people to participate in a housing survey.