SPM News

A new poll shows that fewer than one-third of Iowans now support the Legislature's push for an amendment that says the state constitution does not secure a right to abortion. The Republican-controlled Iowa Legislature is working this year to approve the amendment. According to a new Des Moines Register/Mediacom Iowa Poll, support for the proposal has dipped slightly from 33% last spring to 31% this year. The opposition has also risen, with 58% of Iowans now saying they're opposed, up from 54% a

Fewer than one-third of Iowans now support the Legislature's push for an amendment that says the state constitution does not secure a right to abortion, according to a new Des Moines Register/Mediacom Iowa Poll. Support for the proposal has dipped slightly from 33% last spring to 31% this year, the poll found. The opposition has also risen, with 58% of Iowans now saying they're opposed, up from 54% a year ago. The remaining 11% of respondents are not sure. The Republican-controlled Iowa

The South Dakota Department of Health today reports that there are now two new COVID-19 variants in the state, as well as an increase in the number of U.K. variants. The state also reported three additional COVID-19 deaths today, as well as 254 new positive infections. The new variants include one case of the variant from from South Africa, and five cases of the California variant. They join the 14 UK. variants which have now been found in South Dakota. More than 228,000 people in South Dakota

Since last month, Siouxland District Health Department has been holding mass vaccine clinics at the Tyson Events Center in downtown Sioux City. But the department’s health director said activities there have picked back up. But Parks and Recreation Director Matt Salvatore says that’s not a problem at the Siouxland Expo Center. During the day we’re not as busy with activities. So it fits into our schedule perfectly. It looks like we’re going to host four during April. Typically, the expo center

In an after-midnight vote, the Iowa House passed a bill to provide public funding for charter schools run by groups unaffiliated with local school districts. Republicans suspended House rules to allow a vote after midnight, without a public hearing requested by Democrats, and placed a “time certain” limit on debate. Under the bill the State Board of Education would have authority to approve charter school applications from local school boards and from so-called ‘founding groups’ that could

404 032421 A new round of rental and utility assistance will provide up to 12 months of aid to those affected by the pandemic in Iowa. Governor Kim Reynolds made the announcement at her weekly news conference today. The new Iowa Rent and Utility Assistance Program will open Monday. It will include 195 million dollars from the federal COVID-19 relief package. The assistance can cover past-due rent payments, past-due utility bills, and future rental assistance. The state will offer up to four

304 032421 Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds offered a prayer today for the family, friends, and coworkers of two members of staff Tuesday at Anamosa State Penitentiary. At her weekly news conference today, Reynolds also asked people to be patient and respectful of the families as officials continue investigating what happened. Department of Corrections officials will hold a news conference about the incident at 3 p.m. today at the prison. People could buy firearms and carry a concealed handgun without

Iowa state prisons officials say a nurse and a corrections officer have been killed in an attack by an inmate at the Anamosa State Penitentiary. The Iowa Department of Corrections says the attack happened Tuesday morning, when an inmate attacked several staff members and inmates in the prison’s infirmary. The department said that it was still collecting and confirming details of the assault but it can confirm “an inmate attacked multiple staff members and inmates.” As a result of their injuries,

The Iowa Department of Public Health reports six more COVID-19 related deaths and nearly 600 new cases with almost 10% coming from Woodbury County. There are still no outbreaks at long-term care facilities in the state. An on-line vaccine dashboard shows more than 447,000 people in Iowa are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Siouxland District Health is planning three more large-scale vaccination clinics at the Tyson Event Center starting next week. There are still appointments available by

404 031221 For the first time since last March, state officials are reporting none of the states nearly 700 nursing homes and assisted living facilities is experiencing a COVID-19 outbreak. According to state data, 2,225 long-term care residents have died from COVID-19. Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds announced yesterday that all adult Iowans would be eligible for COVID-19 vaccination starting April 5. During her weekly news conference, the governor said so long as vaccine supplies from the federal