Here First

The Mississippi River has crested at Davenport. Republican leaders have reached an agreement on how to provide property tax relief for Iowans. Plus, the Iowa House has finalized a bill that would require schools to review their discipline policies for students who are violent or threatening.

The rising Mississippi River will continue to test flood defenses in southeast Iowa as it crests Monday. The Sierra Club of Iowa is applauding a victory in its lawsuit over the Iowa DNR for approving a massive cattle feedlot in northeast Iowa. Plus, a look at action at the Iowa statehouse on what could be the last week of the 2023 session.

Officials along Mississippi River towns are confident they can hold back the floodwaters this weekend. The Iowa Senate passed a $2.1 billion health and human services budget today. Plus, the story of conflicting milkweed rules in the Midwest.

A bill that would limit the Iowa state auditor’s ability to access certain state information is on its way to the governor’s desk. The number of legal abortions nationwide dropped more than 6 percent in the months after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade last June. Plus, John Pappajohn, one of the country's most successful venture capitalists has died at the age of 94.

Governor Kim Reynolds has issued a disaster proclamation for 10 counties along the Mississippi River. Republicans in the Iowa Senate approved a status quo budget for the Iowa DNR. Plus, Iowa Wesleyan University will close at the end of May and people in Mt. Pleasant are mourning the loss.

The City of Davenport has been preparing for flooding along its 9-mile riverfront. Congressman Zach Nunn is supporting federal legislation aimed at preventing school cyberattacks like the one that cancelled classes for Des Moines students earlier this year. Plus, how families with transgender children are responding to anti-LGBTQ legislation in Iowa.

Nine declared and potential Republican presidential candidates made a pitch to a large gathering of evangelical voters in Iowa. A wastewater facility in Muscatine is trying to scale up its production of methane. Plus, a look ahead at the week in the Iowa legislature.

Republicans in the Iowa House passed a bill to limit the state auditor’s access to certain state information. Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird’s office says 67 reimbursement claims for emergency contraception for sexual assault victims are currently on hold while it reviews state policy. Plus, how hobby pilots are helping women get abortions in states where it’s legal.

The Iowa Senate has passed Gov. Kim Reynolds’ education bill for the second time as the two legislative chambers send the proposal back and forth. Drought conditions across the region will make the growing season difficult. Plus, the University of Iowa received approval from the Board of Regents facilities committee to move ahead with work on two prominent buildings on campus.

Two teenagers accused of killing a Fairfield Spanish teacher in 2021 have plead guilty. Food security and health care advocates are urging Governor Kim Reynolds to veto new restrictions on public assistance. Plus, Iowa US Senator Chuck Grassley is joining fellow Republicans in opposing an effort to temporarily replace Senator Diane Feinstein on the Judiciary Committee.