Here First

Anti-abortion groups and lawmakers are planning to introduce a bill that would ban all abortion in Iowa and state that life begins at conception. The Iowa legislature returned to the topic of school library book challenges at a House committee hearing. Plus, the Attorney General says the tile re-manufacturer at the center of a pollution crisis in Marengo has entered into an agreement with the state to clean up its facility.

The Democratic National Committee has voted to remove Iowa from the early window of presidential nominating states. The Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs is funding more projects across the state that focus on building more creative places. Plus, a conversation with IPR State Government reporter Katarina Sostaric about what to expect this week in the statehouse.

Gov. Kim Reynolds says that after signing one of the nation’s broadest school choice laws she will continue pushing for new transparency rules in Iowa’ public schools. A bill introduced in the legislature would remove gender identity as a protected class under the Iowa Civil Rights Act. Plus, Harvest Public Media looks at the potential impact of a Supreme Court case surrounding wetlands.

The Iowa Senate Education Committee advanced an increase to state public school funding that matches the Iowa House proposal. A bill advancing in the Iowa House would add new enforcement measures to a law passed two years ago that bans teaching certain ideas about racism and sexism in schools. Plus, the University of Iowa is launching a new research center to improve flood prediction.

A Russian hacking group has claimed to have taken down the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics website, along with the websites of dozens of other hospitals nationwide. A bill advancing in the statehouse would have provide written permission before a school could call a transgender student by a name or pronouns that affirm their gender identity. Plus, the growing housing crisis threat to public health.

Canadian Pacific’s merger with Kansas City Southern is moving along and it has big implications on eastern Iowa. An Iowa Senate panel has advanced a bill in an effort to fix a 2021 state law that could raise taxes on residential property owners by up to $127 million this year. Plus, details on a dispute between two Des Moines-area organizations that get food to people in need has left some pantries in the metro struggling.

Police are refusing to release body camera video of three Des Moines officers fatally shooting a 16-year-old boy. The Iowa Democratic Party has elected former state Senator Rita Hart as its new party chair. Plus, IPR’s Katarina Sostaric previews the week ahead in the Iowa legislature.

Two large school districts in Iowa have selected new school superintendents. The Iowa Democratic Party will elect a new chairperson this weekend. Plus, IPR's Katie Peikes looks into whether labels on genetically modified foods get noticed or make a difference in what consumers buy.

A bill advancing in the Iowa House would ask the state’s three public universities to report to lawmakers with definitions for certain topics found in teacher training courses. Payouts to Iowans who win medical malpractice lawsuits would be limited under a bill advanced by Senate Republicans. Plus, can storytelling help eliminate the stigma surrounding addiction?

Governor Kim Reynolds signed a bill into law creating one of the most expansive school choice programs in the U.S. A bill limiting SNAP benefits likely won’t include restrictions on fresh meat. Plus, Des Moines police have identified the two teenage victims of a shooting that took place at an alternative education program on Monday.