Good morning from Iowa Capital Dispatch.
“It’s a product of broken promises, and it excludes huge swaths of the country and the voters that Democrats need to win the kind of majorities it takes to restore democratic principles and reject this misguided and corrupt Trump administration.” — Rita Hart, Iowa Democratic Party chair, on the Democratic National Committee’s omission of Iowa from the six states leading off the 2028 presidential nominating calendar.
The South Carolina delegation’s sign is seen as former President Barack Obama speaks at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago in 2024. (Photo by Shaun Griswold / Source New Mexico)
The Democratic National Committee on Saturday approved by voice vote its lineup of six early primaries for the 2028 election cycle, kicking off with South Carolina and Nevada.
DNC Chair Ken Martin said during Saturday’s meeting that the early lineup reflects the diversity of the party’s electorate.
Iowa State University and Des Moines University faculty are conducting research into cells tasked with combating cancer. (Stock photo courtesy of NIH)
Researchers at Iowa’s public and private universities are focusing their efforts on white blood cells as they explore potential new cancer treatments.
Iowa State University and Des Moines University faculty have published research on the growth and internal operations of white blood cells, which handle the body’s immune response to infections and diseases like cancers.
Politics at the Iowa State Fair
Iowa Auditor Rob Sand, running for Iowa governor in 2026, gave a speech at the Des Moines Register Political Soapbox Aug. 15, 2026 at the Iowa State Fair. (Photo by Robin Opsahl/Iowa Capital Dispatch)
Iowa Auditor Rob Sand called for his opponents and his own supporters to be “respectful” Saturday as the race for Iowa governor heats up.
John Norwood, a Democrat running for state treasurer, said Saturday at the Iowa State Fair that he would focus on structural issues within the state retirement fund and on investing Iowa’s tax dollars back into the state.
Democratic secretary of state candidate Ryan Peterman said Saturday he believes recent changes to Iowa election law dealing with early voting and voter identification do not make Iowa elections more secure — but do make elections less accessible.
Libertarian Thomas Laehn, running for Iowa’s U.S. Senate seat in 2026, gave a speech at the Des Moines Register Political Soapbox Aug. 15, 2026 at the Iowa State Fair. (Photo by Robin Opsahl/Iowa Capital Dispatch)
Thomas Laehn, the Libertarian running for Iowa’s U.S. Senate seat, said Saturday at the Iowa State Fair he would eliminate federal tax incentives for carbon dioxide sequestration and production of low-carbon fuels if elected.
Michael Bridgford said Saturday at the Des Moines Register Political Soapbox that a couple of independent candidates, like him, in the U.S. House would be able to “push” for votes on issues like term limits, campaign finance reform, and chamber leadership.
Independent congressional candidate Dave Bushaw asked for Iowans’ support Saturday at the Iowa State Fair as he works to build an “independent movement” past the 2026 election season throughout the state.
Rick Stewart, a Libertarian running for Iowa’s 2nd Congressional District, said Saturday that he wants to end income taxes, overhaul the nation’s immigration policy and replace government assistance programs with a universal basic income.
More soapbox speeches:
More news
The demolition and rebuilding of a landmark bridge in this idyllic town along America’s greatest river has prompted convoluted detours for commuters and hurt businesses in the city’s historic Main Street district, Alex Burdzy writes for the Iowa Writers’ Collaborative Emerging Journalist Corps.
President Donald Trump asked the U.S. Supreme Court Thursday to intervene in a lower court decision that halts his $400 million White House ballroom construction unless he receives authorization from Congress.
COMMENTARY
On tap this week: the Iowa Democrats' Wing Ding, featuring Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly, the Republican National Committee chairman Joe Gruters' Iowa visit -- plus a semi-stealth appearance by the U.S. Treasury secretary -- and Libertarians filling holes on the ballot.
WHO-TV meteorologist Jason Parkin announced that he’s been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease -- especially shocking news on the heels of colleague Jeriann Ritter’s diagnosis that she has ALS, guest columnist Dave Busiek writes via Iowa Writers' Collaborative.
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COMMENTARY
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