It’s funnel week for the Iowa Legislature. The end of the week is the deadline for bills to clear legislative committees in the Hour or Senate. Some of the proposals include strengthening the laws concerning sex crimes in the state. South Dakota lawmakers say they are turning their focus to the state budget, though Republicans and Democrats have laid out different visions of how to use that money. Legislators have settled on revenue projections that are $19 million more than Gov. Kristi Noem's

021420 504 The National Weather Service says there's an elevated flood risk along the eastern Missouri River basin this spring. That's because the soil remains wet and significant snow is on the ground in North Dakota and South Dakota. Communities along the lower Missouri River already were bracing for the prospect of more flooding this spring because many of their levees remain in poor shape after last year’s massive flooding. Nearly everywhere that flooded last year in Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas,

The National Weather Service has released the first of its three spring flood forecasts. David Pearson is a hydrologist with the National Weather Service in Omaha. He says the outlook is “grim” for western Iowans who live along the Missouri River below Sioux City. The soil in the Missouri River basin is saturated. Pearson says for the second year in a row, the risk of major flooding along the Mississippi River on the eastern side of Iowa is high. A National Weather Service Hydrologist says there

021420 304 Iowa Democratic Party officials say they are hiring two high-profile lawyers to investigate the factors leading to a meltdown in the state's lead-off presidential caucuses and how the party responded. The party's State Central Committee voted last night to spend up to $50,000 to retain Nick Klinefeldt, a former U.S. attorney, and Bonnie Campbell, a former Iowa attorney general. The Des Moines Register reports that officials hope the review will be completed within 45 days. The party

021420 noon Iowa Democratic Party officials have agreed to hire two high-profile lawyers to investigate the factors leading to a meltdown in the state's lead-off presidential caucuses and how the party responded. The party's State Central Committee voted last night to spend up to $50,000 to retain Nick Klinefeldt, a former U.S. attorney, and Bonnie Campbell, a former Iowa attorney general. The Des Moines Register reports that officials hope the review will be completed within 45 days. The party

021320 504 State Representative Mark Smith of Marshalltown is the first candidate to announce he’s running to be the next chairman of the Iowa Democratic Party. Current chair Troy Price announced his resignation yesterday, after more than a week of confusion about the process and results of the Iowa caucuses. Smith announced in September he would not seek reelection to a tenth term in the Iowa House. Smith served as Democratic Leader for five and a half years, leading the effort to recruit and

021320 404 State Representative Mark Smith of Marshalltown is running to be the next chairman of the Iowa Democratic Party. Smith said today that his background gives him the experience to help restore confidence to the party. Current chair Troy Price announced his resignation yesterday after the still delayed results of the Iowa caucuses were said to be inaccurate. The Democratic Party State Central Committee will meet Saturday afternoon to elect a new party chair. Republicans in the Iowa

021320 304 A State Representative from Marshalltown says today he’s running to be the next chairman of the Iowa Democratic Party. Mark Smith says that his background gives him the ability to step in and help restore confidence to his party. Current chair Troy Price announced his resignation yesterday, after more than a week of confusion about the process and results of the Iowa caucuses. “So whether people oppose or support abortion, I think the least we can do is ensure that all human remains

021320 noon State Representative Mark Smith of Marshalltown is the first candidate to announce he’s running to be the next chairman of the Iowa Democratic Party. Current chair Troy Price announced his resignation yesterday, after more than a week of confusion about the process and results of the Iowa caucuses. Smith told Radio Iowa today that his background gives him the ability to step in and help restore confidence to his party. Smith announced in September he would not seek reelection to a

02.12.20 504 Iowa is still dealing with the fallout of delayed Democratic caucus results. Today the Iowa Democratic Party accepted the requests from caucus frontrunners Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders and former South Bend, Indiana Mayor Pete Buttigieg for a limited recanvass of more than 80 precincts. The two presidential campaigns will have 24 hours after receiving that to decide if they want to go forward with their requests. I-D-P chair Troy Price wrote letters to both campaigns, saying that