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The independent newspaper of the University of Iowa community since 1868

The Daily Iowan

The independent newspaper of the University of Iowa community since 1868

The Daily Iowan

The independent newspaper of the University of Iowa community since 1868

The Daily Iowan

A North Liberty volunteer checks vegetables before the opening of the current North Liberty Food Pantry on Sept. 5. The pantry has recently seen a rise in the number of people they serve.

Iowa approved for waiver limiting choices on food assistance

Liam Halawith, Politics Editor May 22, 2025

Iowans using food assistance will no longer be able to buy soda or candy using Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program dollars after President Donald Trump’s administration granted Iowa’s request...

The Iowa State Capitol as seen following the Condition of the State address in Des Moines on Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025. The Iowa legislature allocated $204,638 to Informed Choices to be administered through HHS.

Iowa lawmakers pass $9.425 billion budget after a week of overtime

Liam Halawith, Politics Editor May 15, 2025

Iowa lawmakers passed a $9.425 billion budget to fund the state for the next fiscal year that starts on July 1. The budget uses $2 billion in reserve funds to fund the budget as state revenues are...

The inner dome of the Iowa State Capitol building is seen during the second day of the 2025 Iowa legislative session at the Iowa State Capitol in Des Moines on Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025.

Iowa lawmakers gavel out of historic 2025 session

Roxy Ekberg, Politics Editor May 15, 2025

Gaveling out of the 2025 legislative session early Thursday morning, Iowa lawmakers ended the session with a flurry of bills, yet did not take action to lower property taxes — a top priority for...

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds prepares to enter the House of Representatives during the Condition of the State address at the Iowa State Capitol in Des Moines on Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025.

Reynolds’ legislative priorities pushed through

Roxy Ekberg, Politics Editor May 15, 2025

With lawmakers gaveling out of the 2025 legislative session early Thursday morning, several of Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds’ priorities were pushed through, although many of her priorities were left until...

Chair of the Iowa Higher Education Committee Taylor R. Collins speaks during the second day of the 2025 Iowa legislative session at the Iowa State Capitol in Des Moines on Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025. Collins has been serving as an Iowa State Representative since 2023.

Iowa lawmakers set eyes on higher education reform during legislative session

Liam Halawith, Politics Editor May 15, 2025

Iowa House Republicans promised a broad and wide-eyed review of Iowa’s higher education system at the beginning of the legislative session in January, however, some of their biggest reforms failed...

State Auditor Rob Sand speaks to the Iowa City community at City Hall on Thursday, Sept. 7, 2023. Sand recently released a report on Iowa nursing homes that pointed to high employee turnover rates and the failure to meet federal mandates on inspections of Medicare or Medicaid-certified nursing homes.

Rob Sand announces bid for governor

Liam Halawith, Politics Editor May 12, 2025

State Auditor Rob Sand announced he is launching a bid for governor on Monday.  Sand, the only Democrat to hold statewide office, has long been expected to make the bid for Iowa’s governorship.  “I'm...

The inner dome of the Iowa State Capitol building is seen during the second day of the 2025 Iowa legislative session at the Iowa State Capitol in Des Moines on Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025.

Iowa Senate advances new draft of property tax reforms

Liam Halawith, Politics Editor May 7, 2025

Iowa Senate lawmakers advanced a second draft of Iowa Republicans’ proposed property tax overhaul that would make the largest changes to the state’s property tax system since the 1970s. The...

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds prepares to enter the House of Representatives during the Condition of the State address at the Iowa State Capitol in Des Moines on Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025.

Federal government approves Iowa’s summer food pilot program

Roxy Ekberg, Politics Editor May 7, 2025

The U.S. Department of Food and Nutrition Service approved Iowa’s federal waiver to opt out of summer EBT and create a statewide summer food pilot program Wednesday, according to a news release from...

Photo illustration of an assortment of pills.

Iowa grapples with penalties in wake of fentanyl deaths

Shreya Reddy, Audience Editor May 6, 2025

Fentanyl overdoses in Iowa have increased fivefold over a 10-year timespan, catching the attention of Iowa lawmakers, residents, and community behavioral health professionals. The rise has elicited...

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds prepares to enter the House of Representatives during the Condition of the State address at the Iowa State Capitol in Des Moines on Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025.

Reynolds signs cellphone ban in classrooms into law

Roxy Ekberg, Politics Editor April 30, 2025

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds signed a bill into law Wednesday restricting the use of cellphones in state classrooms. House File 782 was a priority for Reynolds this legislative session. The law bars the...

Chuy Renteria stands in the former DEI offices in the Old Capitol Mall on April 25. Renteria used to facilitate DEI training at the University of Iowa, but left his position because of anti-DEI rhetoric.

GOP targets DEI programs in higher education and government

Liam Halawith, Politics Editor April 29, 2025

Chuy Renteria, of West Liberty, quit his job at the University of Iowa’s Division of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the summer of 2023 because they could “see the writing on the wall.” Now...

Members of the House meet during the first day of the 2025 Iowa legislative session at the Iowa State Capitol in Des Moines on Monday, Jan. 13, 2025.

Iowa lawmakers release budget targets as they look to close session

Liam Halawith, Politics Editor April 28, 2025

State lawmakers released their target numbers for how much the state will spend in the next fiscal year Monday. Senate and House Republicans still have ground to cover, with both chambers releasing...