Iowa
Bird flu is spreading across the U.S. How worried should you be?
From dairy testing to bird culling, public health officials say there are ways to keep avian influenza in check to avoid widespread disaster.
Eight states to vote on amendments to ban noncitizen voting
It is already illegal under state laws and rare, but Republicans in some states say the language needs to be clearer in their constitutions.
A City Lost About 670,000 Trees. Now It Has a Plan to Replant Them
After a destructive storm, the Iowa locality will spend $37 million to plant more than 42,000 trees over 10 years. “So much of the plan is intended to be replicable to other cities,” says a city official.
Dozens of State and Local Officials Press Biden to Increase Refugee Resettlement in US
“We can and must do more," they say. The Biden administration pledged to ramp up resettlements. But even with deepening humanitarian crises unfolding in Ukraine, Afghanistan and other nations, refugee admissions fell to a historic low in fiscal 2021.
Snowy Roads Will Be Cleared, But It Will ‘Take Extra Time’
The ongoing labor shortage has exacerbated existing plow driver hiring problems, transportation officials said.
States Decide if Workers Fired Over Vaccine Mandates Can Collect Unemployment
When employers fire people because they fail to follow company policy, employees are generally not eligible for benefits. But three states have or could make non compliant workers eligible.
A $1M Project to Prevent Wrong-Way Driving
The Iowa Department of Transportation is using signs and special cameras to try to prevent wrong-way driving collisions, a relatively infrequent but deadly occurrence across the country.
Biden Wants to Offer More Housing Vouchers. Many Landlords Won’t Accept Them
Over 2.2 million households receive subsidies through the Housing Choice Voucher Program.
Are Plastic Driver's Licenses Headed For the Dumpster?
Utah is one of nearly two dozen states exploring digital driver’s licenses, stored on smartphones, that state officials say come with enhanced privacy and control.
Environmentalists Make Long-Shot Attempt to Ban New Factory Farms
It’s becoming clear that some lawmakers no longer see factory farming as a nuisance, but an emergency, as the industry's operations degrade water quality and cause other problems.
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OxyContin Manufacturer Pleads Guilty to Criminal Charges in Opioid Lawsuit
STATE AND LOCAL ROUNDUP | Iowa misspent $21 million in coronavirus relief funds, audit finds ... California city will launch a pilot program to guarantee income for some residents ... Georgia voters may not know who funded campaigns before casting ballots.
Iowa Relaxes Quarantine Policy Against CDC Guidance—But It Depends on Masks
Iowa students, teachers and business employees will no longer be asked to quarantine after coming in contact with people later diagnosed with coronavirus, but only if everybody wore masks.
New York May Order Colleges With Over 100 Virus Cases to Stop In-Person Classes
The new policy comes as colleges and universities across the U.S. are seeing coronavirus outbreaks.
Parts of Iowa Still Reeling From Powerful Storms, as State Battles Rise in Coronavirus
A derecho with winds over 100 mph struck the state last month, causing widespread damage and coming on top of the pandemic.
A Showdown Over Returning to the Classroom
An Iowa school district and teachers union have sued the governor over her mandate requiring schools to reopen for in-person instruction.
After Destructive Derecho, Iowa Residents Dealing with Widespread Devastation
STATE AND LOCAL NEWS ROUNDUP | Postal Service warns states about possible problems with ballot delivery this fall … Washington state parks overrun with visitors … Georgia governor drops lawsuit against Atlanta mayor.
Iowa Governor Vows To Enforce State In-Person School Requirement
STATE AND LOCAL NEWS ROUNDUP | Idaho is the only state that hasn’t signed up for a pandemic food program … Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan rejects a county’s temporary prohibition on in-person classes for private school … Nevada to send out mail-in ballots to all registered voters.
State Fairs Are the Latest Casualty of Covid-19
At least 15 states have canceled their annual fairs due to public health concerns amid the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, while others are moving ahead with modified, pared-down events.
State Bill Would Grant Meatpacking Plants and Health Providers Immunity from Coronavirus Lawsuits
Legislation approved by the Iowa House would shield businesses and health-care facilities from most coronavirus-related lawsuits.
In Some States that Are Reopening, Workers Face an Ultimatum: Go Back to Work or Lose Unemployment
Leaders in at least a handful of states have made clear there will be limits on who can claim unemployment and general worker concerns about safety likely won't pass muster.
