Two of the five Republicans running for governor received major endorsements on Tuesday. The Family Leader, a rightwing Christian political organization that plays a prominent role in Iowa Republican politics, endorsed former Department of Administrative Services director Adam Steen. Shortly afterwards, Rep. Randy Feenstra’s campaign published an endorsement from former governor Terry Branstad, who was […]
Terry Branstad
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Trump tells crowd of fans in Des Moines that if he doesn’t win Iowa, ‘I’ll never be back’ in a rally replete with irony and misinformation
A cold wind was blowing at the Des Moines International Airport late Wednesday afternoon as people gathered in a spot on the tarmac typically used by cargo planes for a Trump campaign rally. But the crowd of almost 4,000 didn’t seem discouraged by the wind. The Trump campaign had announced it expected at least 10,000 […]
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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. […]
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Iowans will have wider access to opioid overdose medication naloxone
Iowans will be able to go to a pharmacy for medication to reverse opioid overdoses without needing to get a prescription first under a new program announced Monday during Gov. Terry Branstad’s weekly press conference. The program opens access to those at risk of opioid overdose, their family and friends and first responders through a […]
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State of Iowa opens door for braiders to pursue ‘dignifying profession’ without hurdles
For many black women, the sweltering summer heat means hair appointments with braiders specializing in cornrows, micro braids, faux locs, box braids and Senegalese twists — to name a few. And as of July 1 braiders in Iowa won’t have to risk jail time for cashing in on the steady customer flow without a cosmetology […]
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Trump selects Branstad’s oldest son to head Iowa campaign effort
Presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump has reportedly selected Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad’s oldest son, Eric Branstad, to head his campaign efforts in Iowa. Branstad, a political consultant and lobbyist who previously led pro-ethanol group America’s Renewable Future, will serve as Trump’s Iowa campaign chief, according to Radio Iowa.
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New report puts Iowa last for mental health facilities
One year after the closing of two state hospitals, in Clarinda and Mount Pleasant, a new report shows that Iowa now trails the rest of the country in mental health facilities. A June 2016 report from the Treatment Advocacy Center, “Trends and Consequences of Eliminating State Psychiatric Beds,” ranks Iowa consistently last or in the […]
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City, county politicians write in support of pot oil access in Iowa
A letter was released on Wednesday with signatures from more than 100 city and county elected officials writing in support of expanding Iowa’s medical marijuana program. The letter calls for a bill that will allow for “medical cannabis to be produced, distributed and possessed in Iowa for debilitating medical conditions.” “We believe comprehensive legislation will […]
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As Branstad and Hatch square off, debt-burdened students are left scratching their heads
Today, in-state students and their families shell a bare minimum of about $8,000 for tuition and fees over the course of a year, despite a tuition freeze that…
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Gov. candidate Jack Hatch to visit Sanctuary Pub
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jack Hatch, along with his running mate, Cedar Rapids Councilwoman Monica Vernon, will be holding a fundraiser at Iowa City’s Sanctuary Pub, located at 405 S. Gilbert, from 5:30 – 7:00 p.m. Tuesday night. State Senators Joe Bolkcom and Robert Dvorsky are listed as hosts of the event. Hatch, a state senator […]
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There’s something skunky about medical marijuana in Iowa
When Gov. Terry Branstad signed a bill on May 30 allowing some Iowans to posses cannabidiol oil, an orally-taken cannabis extract that lacks the intoxication effects normally associated marijuana, Iowa joined a list of 33 other states in allowing some form of medical marijuana regulation. Critics have since argued that Iowa’s law is too narrow […]
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Gov. Branstad expected to sign Iowa’s first medical cannabis bill this Friday
Iowa will join the majority of states in allowing some form of medical cannabis this week. Gov. Terry Branstad is expected to sign Iowa’s very narrow marijuana bill…
