The Iowa Board of Regents is working with board staff and state universities to analyze diversity, equity and inclusion programs and positions and ensure their compliance under a state law set to take effect next summer. President Sherry Bates said during the board meeting Thursday that she, along with Regents Greta Rouse, David Barker and […]
Iowa Legislation
Posted inCommunity/News
The new state laws affecting LGBTQ students this fall
In many important ways, the bills passed by Republican lawmakers and signed into law by Gov. Kim Reynolds this year that targeted transgender students echoed the law enacted last year banning transgender girls and women from participating in girls’ or women’s sports at schools or colleges in Iowa. Like the sports ban, the new laws […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Forty years after the Johnny Gosch disappearance, fear continues to fuel conspiracy theories in Iowa and beyond
Listen an audio version of this article here, or using the player at the bottom of the page. On Sept. 20, 1984, President Ronald Reagan gave a speech in Cedar Rapids as part of his reelection campaign. In it, he advocated for slashing taxes and “the simple values of faith, family, neighborhood and good, hard […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Iowa Senate Republicans advance bills to divert tax dollars from public to private schools, require 100% in-person instruction
Republicans in the Iowa Legislature are moving quickly to approve bills that would allow tax dollars that support public schools to be diverted to private schools, and further limit the control local school boards have over the schools in their districts. Gov. Kim Reynolds listed both actions as top priorities in her Condition of State […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Changes to drunk driving and open container laws this week
Governor Terry Branstad signed legislation Monday that moves Iowa’s OWI enforcement process away from incarceration, and the Iowa City Council reduced open container regulations for special events. Drinking in the streets in Iowa City The Iowa City Council unanimously voted Tuesday, April 18 to allow Iowa Citians to leave a business with an alcoholic beverage. […]
Posted inCommunity/News, Features
Branstad signs sweeping gun legislation, detractors and proponents react
Governor Terry Branstad signed the most sweeping change in gun legislation in Iowa history, House File 517, into law yesterday. All the Johnson and Linn County Republican legislators voted for the bill, and all the Democrats voted against, with the exception of Kirsten Running-Marquardt (D-Cedar Rapids), who was absent. It passed the Senate on April […]
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Photos: Rally protests legislation that would remove local control of minimum wage
A group of about 60 people gathered in the Iowa City Ped Mall Wednesday afternoon to voice their opposition to House File 295, a bill that would restrict local governments from regulating things like minimum wage. Opponents of the bill say it takes aim at ordinances passed in four Iowa counties, including Johnson County, to raise the local minimum wage.
Posted inCommunity/News
This week in political activism
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Ready to take action to build the community, state and nation you want, but not sure what to do next? Here are some opportunities for political activism this week. Check out a political party by attending a monthly meeting Johnson County Green Party Iowa City Public Library — Saturday, Feb. 25 at 3 p.m. […]
