Republican lawmakers sent a bill to the governor’s desk that would allow child care centers to collect additional money from some low-income families who agree to pay more. More than 1,000 workers at CNH Industrial plants in Iowa and Wisconsin went on strike Monday in search of a better deal with the company that makes agriculture and construction equipment. Plus, a race horse with an Iowa connection is one of the top contenders in Saturday’s Kentucky Derby.

Democratic Senate candidate Abby Finkenauer is responding to concerns expressed by a prominent Democrat over remarks she made about a district court judge last month. U.S Rep. Ashley Hinson says the federal homeland security secretary isn’t properly securing the southern U.S. border. And, Iowa’s Department of Corrections is working to improve relations with Native communities in western Iowa.

Iowa State Auditor Rob Sand says it was inappropriate for U.S. Senate candidate Abby Finkenauer — a fellow Democrat — to criticize a judge who ruled against her bid to stay on the June primary ballot. Des Moines Public Schools is starting a series of community conversations following a fatal shooting outside East High. Plus, a bipartisan group of Midwestern governors lobby the EPA on ethanol policy.

State and federal officials are reporting COVID-19 hospitalizations and positive tests have increased in the past week. A new report has ranked Dallas County as the healthiest county in Iowa. Plus, there’s already a shortage of services for Iowans with autism and now one of the few education programs to train providers might be going away.

Iowa Republican lawmakers sent a bill to the governor’s desk that would make cuts to unemployment benefits. With the Glenwood Resource Center slated to close in 2024, local officials are concerned about the gap it will leave in their community. Plus, residents in northeast Iowa spoke out against a controversial cattle feedlot that they say would use more water than outlined under a permit that is now up for renewal.

An Iowa senate committee voted to advance a bill that would require Iowa gas stations to sell fuel with higher blends of ethanol. Hundreds of people attended the weekend ribbon-cutting and open house for a new hospital Marshalltown. Plus, home health aides are vital to allowing elderly and disabled Iowans stay in their homes but recruiting and retaining these workers is getting more challenging.

Former Vice President Mike Pence rallied with Iowa Republican activists over the weekend. A coalition of economic development organizations working on diversity, equity and inclusion in the Cedar Rapids- Iowa City corridor is offering a free assessment tool for area businesses. Plus, University of Iowa researchers have created a map to show which of Iowa’s farmlands are most at risk for floods.

A lead advocate for protecting Iowans who live in mobile homes says a bill aimed at addressing their concerns over fair housing won’t help them. A new case of bird flu has surfaced in Iowa and it comes after the state hadn’t seen any new cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza for two weeks. Plus, Iowa State University is leaving the Association of American Universities, an organization that includes the most prestigious research universities in the U.S.

Federal officials are reporting a slight drop in COVID-19 hospitalizations in Iowa from last week’s number. A coalition of underrepresented groups throughout Iowa is hosting its first climate justice summit that starts Thursday evening in Des Moines. Plus, Kirkwood Community College in Cedar Rapids is rolling out a pilot program this summer to close campus offices on Fridays.

Michigan-based nonprofit Trinity Health has announced it has signed an agreement to acquire all MercyOne health care facilities in Iowa. The Iowa Senate passed a bill to add protections for mobile home owners, sending it to the governor’s desk. Plus, the Des Moines school board is considering renaming a south side school for a different historical figure with the same last name.