Nikoel Hytrek

Since the overturning of Roe v Wade, demand for abortions hasn’t decreased in Iowa and providers have seen more people from out-of-state travel here for abortion care, according to Planned Parenthood. “We know that our staff and our providers keep working hard every single day to make sure that they can serve as many people…

Since 2019, the University of Iowa has partnered with private, French-owned companies to run its power plant in exchange for over $1 billion for the university to spend on its strategic plan goals. That makes it the “largest financial obligation ever held by Iowa taxpayers,” Iowa State Auditor Rob Sand concluded in his four-year review…

Iowans can still access abortion until the 20th week of pregnancy. On Monday, Polk County District Court Judge Celene Gogerty denied Gov. Kim Reynolds’ motion to lift the permanent injunction on her six-week abortion ban. The law was passed in 2018 but was blocked by the Polk County District Court in 2019. In June 2022 when…

Rob Sheitler and his wife Joyce have decorated their rural Le Mars home and yard with Christmas lights and blow molds since they built their house in 1995. In that time, the display—and the crowd coming to see it—has grown considerably. “It started out small and it has grown to be one of the largest…

Six Iowa Republican county parties have voted to censure Sen. Joni Ernst over her “yes” vote on the Respect for Marriage Act, while one of Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks’ home Republican county parties is openly recruiting for a primary challenger over her same vote. “[H]omosexuality clearly violates the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God, the…

For the first time, the Democratic leadership in the Iowa House will be made up of women. “I’m proud and honored to lead with these extraordinary women in the Iowa House,” said Minority Leader Jennifer Konfrst in a press release. “They are each amazing leaders in their own communities who understand Iowans are fed up…

A strong Central Iowa employer will return to the state thanks, in part, to federal action taken by President Joe Biden. TPI Composites, a company that manufactures blades for wind turbines, announced in early November it will restart operations at its manufacturing plant in Newton, a city 30 miles east of Des Moines. The company…

We’re at that time of year. Horse-drawn wagon rides, sleigh bells, baking, Christmas songs, and decorating. Now consider all of that and take it back about 150 years. That’s the idea behind the Family Christmas event at Living History Farms outside of Urbandale. The event happens from noon to 3 p.m on Saturday, Dec. 3…

The Ankeny School District has completed an internal investigation into the drag show that happened after hours at Ankeny High School this spring. Two employees were seen in a photo from the event, put on by students in the school’s Gay Straight Alliance. The district still employs both employees. The school district has not provided…

Johnston Community School District will no longer livestream the public comment portion of its school board meetings. Over the last year, public comments have played a big role in discussions about controversies in Johnston such as proposed book bannings, calls for a diversity audit of the district and a professional to handle complaints, and the…