As the state Legislature is set to tackle some potentially contentious issues in the 2026 legislative session, Iowa Republican leaders emphasized “unity” as they gathered for the GOP legislative breakfast Monday before gaveling in. There have been multiple leadership changes leading into the session that could shift dynamics in the Legislature. Iowa Senate Majority Leader […]
eminent domain
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Debates over property taxes, eminent domain and cancer rates expected during 2026 legislative session
Iowa lawmakers are heading into the 2026 legislative session with several new leaders — but many of the issues expected to take top priority are subjects left unresolved in 2025, namely eminent domain and property taxes. Lawmakers presented legislation on both of these issues during the 2025 legislative session, but neither became state law. Republican […]
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Poll: Kim Reynolds remains America’s most unpopular governor
Gov. Kim Reynolds remains the most unpopular governor in America, according to the latest poll by Morning Consult. Reynolds is once again the only governor whose disapproval rating is higher than their approval rating in the opinion research firm’s quarterly survey of the approval ratings of governors. Reynolds has ranked the least popular governor in […]
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Iowans protest water quality issues outside of event with Gov. Reynolds
The sound of honking caused several heads to turn toward nearby Fleur Drive during the groundbreaking ceremony for the Italian-American Cultural Center of Iowa at the historic Butler Mansion in Des Moines. A small crowd of protesters gathered outside of the Thursday event with signs decrying Iowa’s water quality, which incited the honks. The protesters […]
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Iowa House members agree to special session to override Reynolds’ veto of pipeline bill
The Iowa House of Representatives Tuesday secured the necessary two-thirds majority on a petition calling for a special session to override the governor’s veto of a bill pertaining to eminent domain and carbon sequestration pipelines. Seventy representatives signed the petition in favor of returning to the State Capitol to override the veto on HF 639, […]
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Senate passes bill restricting eminent domain for carbon pipelines
Iowa senators voted 27-22 late Monday to pass a bill to limit the ability of carbon sequestration pipelines to use eminent domain, sending it to the governor’s desk after a drawn-out debate. The decision follows four years of urging from Iowans and House lawmakers for eminent domain reform in response to the proposed Summit Carbon […]
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Iowa Utilities Commission issues pipeline permit for Summit Carbon Solutions
The Iowa Utilities Commission has issued a construction permit for Summit Carbon Solutions’ proposed hazardous liquid pipeline across Iowa. The commission’s decision on Wednesday was not unexpected given a June 25 order in which the panel issued a final decision approving the project while requiring Summit Carbon to submit numerous filings demonstrating compliance with regulatory […]
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Iowa Utilities Board approves permit for controversial Summit pipeline
The Iowa Utilities Board gave its approval Tuesday for the controversial Summit Carbon Solutions pipeline, and for the company to use eminent domain to acquire landowners’ property. The company hopes to begin construction next year with the goal of making the pipeline operational in 2026. The pipeline, which would be the largest of its kind […]
Posted inCentral Iowa
The Planned Parenthood Book Sale will end this year after 62 years in Des Moines
Since 1961, the Planned Parenthood Book Sale in Des Moines has been a major fundraiser supporting the work of Planned Parenthood educators as they provide accurate, fact-based and comprehensive sex education to people across the state. “Proceeds from last year helped Planned Parenthood educators host 461 programs that reached 15,563 teens, adults, parents, and families […]
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Pipeline opponents seek procedural halt in Iowa after North Dakota decision
State regulators should postpone a final hearing for a proposed carbon dioxide pipeline in Iowa because North Dakota rejected the project route, opponents of the pipeline say. The Sierra Club of Iowa and landowners have asked the Iowa Utilities Board to pause the permit proceedings for Summit Carbon Solutions. Its evidentiary hearing is poised to […]
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Energy expert on Bakken pipeline approval: ‘Pick your poison’
Last week, the Iowa Utilities Board unanimously approved the Bakken oil pipeline, which will cut across 18 counties in the state. Lawsuits from the Iowa chapter of the Sierra Club and a farmers group are expected to challenge the IUB ruling and block the pipeline. Dakota Access, a subsidiary of Energy Transfer Partners in Texas […]
