050119 532 Governor Kim Reynolds says there has been a lot of input on whether she should sign or veto the sports gambling bill recently approved by the Iowa Legislature, according to Radio Iowa. Reynolds says many people don’t want to see her sign the bill into law. “They’re concerned about addiction to gambling and the impact that this may have. Others say the state needs to take control. The governor says she is treating the gambling bill like all the others and will go over it with her team

050119 504 Governor Kim Reynolds signed a bill today that creates a children’s mental health system in Iowa. Reynolds said that today marks a major milestone for mental health in our state. Reynolds spoke to a large crowd in the statehouse rotunda moments before she signed the bill into law. The bill establishes a new 24-hour hotline that parents may call to find mental health services for their child. It creates a new state board to oversee development of more options for children who need

050119 432 Iowa Sen. Charles Grassley says Congress won't consider a new trade deal with Mexico and Canada until President Donald Trump lifts tariffs that have prompted other countries to take actions that have hurt U.S. farmers. Speaking today with reporters, Grassley said Trump must end steel and aluminum tariffs before Congress will ratify a United States-Mexico-Canada trade agreement. Farmers in Iowa and across the country have been hurt by reciprocal tariffs placed on agricultural products,

050119 404 Iowa’s mental health regions have until next April to figure out how to fill the gaps in mental health services available to children. But they won’t get any additional funding to do it – at least not this year. The mandate comes after Governor Kim Reynolds signed a new law today (Wednesday) laying out the first statewide children’s behavioral health system. Reynolds says some of the services the law calls for are early diagnosis, therapy, and a family crisis hotline. But the children

Presidential candidate Joe Biden continues his tour across Iowa today with stops in Iowa City and Des Moines The former vice president was in Cedar Rapids Tuesday where he told a group of a few hundred he wants to rebuild a crumbling middle class. A new report says an April survey of business supply managers suggests there will be solid economic growth over the next three to six months in all three Siouxland states. The report issued Wednesday says the Mid-America Business Conditions Index

042329 532 The longest-serving Republican in the Iowa Legislature says he'll become a Democrat. Rep. Andy McKean announced his decision today, saying one important factor was the presidency of Republican Donald Trump. McKean says he can't support Trump, and if his behavior and leadership is the new normal, "I want no part of it." McKean, a 69-year-old retired attorney from the eastern Iowa city of Anamosa, first entered the House in 1979 and served seven terms. He left the legislature but

042319 504 The longest-serving Republican in the Iowa Legislature has announced he’s switching to the Democratic Party, and that narrows the party split in the Iowa House of Representatives to 53 Republicans and 47 Democrats. Representative Andy McKean of Anamosa says the statehouse is much more partisan than when he was first elected in 1978. 0423mckean2: 09 “I think the party has veered very sharply to the right. And that concerns me—it’s a bit further than I would care to be.” McKean says he

042319 432 State Representative Andy McKean of Anamosa is leaving the Republican Party and joining the Democrats in the final days of the Iowa legislative session. That narrows the party split in the chamber to 53 Republicans and 47 Democrats. McKean says the statehouse has become much more partisan and he was uncomfortable with Iowa Republicans moving further to the right. And he doesn’t like what he’s seeing at the national level, especially with the 2020 presidential election coming up.

042319 404 The longest-serving Republican in the Iowa Legislature has announced he’s switching to the Democratic Party. this narrows the party split in the Iowa House of Representatives to 53 Republicans and 47 Democrats. Representative Andy McKean of Anamosa says the statehouse is much more partisan than when he was first elected in 1978. And he says the Republican Party has changed. 0423mckean2: 09 “I think the party has veered very sharply to the right. And that concerns me—it’s a bit further

“I am Jon Wieseler’s mom, or I was.” A mother finds it hard to talk about her child in the past tense. “Jon was the best son ever.” A bond between the two still alive, even after death. “He was so good.” Linda Wieseler’s voice strains because of pure emotion mixed with a medical condition. “I have what is sporadic dysphonia. It causes a tremor with my vocal cords.” Jon Wiesel er graduated from North High School in 2001, got his law degree from Iowa, then followed a different path, by enrolling