Good morning from Iowa Capital Dispatch.
The Iowa State Fair is underway and Iowa Capital Dispatch is covering the many candidates who are swarming to the fairgrounds to meet voters. If you don’t see your favorite statewide or congressional candidate below, check out the Des Moines Register’s Political Soapbox schedule for upcoming speeches.
Iowa Rep. Josh Turek, the Democratic nominee for Iowa’s U.S. Senate seat, gave remarks at the Des Moines Register Political Soapbox at the Iowa State Fair Aug. 14, 2026. (Photo by Robin Opsahl/Iowa Capital Dispatch)
Politics at the Iowa State Fair (and more)
Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Josh Turek reiterated his support Friday for passing a federal farm bill Friday, saying at the Iowa State Fair that U.S. Senate Democrats should not “let perfection stand in the way of progress” in moving forward a measure.
Democratic congressional candidate Sarah Trone Garriott said her opponent, U.S. Rep. Zach Nunn, was not truly "tough on China" as she spoke to a crowd at the Iowa State Fair Friday.
Republican Joe Mitchell said Friday voters could trust his pledge to combat “corruption” in Congress because his campaign is not accepting corporate political action committee money — a position that he said makes him distinct from other GOP candidates.
Republican gubernatorial candidate Zach Lahn speaks at the Des Moines Register’s Political Soapbox on Aug. 14, 2026 at the Iowa State Fair. (Photo by Robin Opsahl/Iowa Capital Dispatch)
Zach Lahn told Iowa State fairgoers that “truth is on the ballot” in the 2026 gubernatorial election as he runs against Iowa Auditor Rob Sand.
Democratic congressional candidate Christina Bohannan told cancer survivors and advocates Friday that she would support increased funding for cancer research and resources to aid smoking cessation.
State Sen. Mike Bousselot, an Ankeny Republican, announced Friday he is ending his campaign for reelection in Senate District 23 as he “pursues a private-sector professional opportunity.”
Accura Healthcare is facing a second lawsuit alleging unpaid bills, as well as a case alleging wrongful death of a resident. (Photo by David Talukdar/Getty Images)
One of Iowa’s largest nursing home chains is facing new lawsuits alleging nonpayment of bills and wrongful death.
Gibbins Advisors, a financial consulting firm based in Tennessee, is suing Accura Healthcare, an Oklahoma company that operates 27 senior-care facilities within Iowa, in Polk County District Court.
THIS WEEK'S TOP STORIES
The company planning to build a carbon sequestration pipeline through Iowa is being sued by a second pipeline parts company, this time for $6.6 million.
A group of six Iowa nursing homes owes more than $2.1 million in back rent, two of the homes’ former landlords allege.
After a year of information gathering and piloting programs, Iowa State University is expanding its state-supported and federally funded cyber resilience program to political subdivisions across Iowa.
Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird said Iowa can find ways to be more “proactive” in collecting and responding to Medicaid fraud tips as the Iowa Medicaid Fraud Elimination Task Force held its second meeting Wednesday.
Iowa regulators have sanctioned a second state-employed nurse in the 2024 death of an inmate at the Newton Correctional Facility.
Nate Willems, the Democrat running for Iowa Attorney General, said he plans to create an enforcement unit dedicated to wage theft recovery if elected in 2026.
Student researchers at Dordt University are working to uncover the intricacies of how air quality can impact student performance across the U.S.
Iowa row crops are in good conditions as of the latest crop progress and condition report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, though plant pathologists in the state are starting to see disease pressure creep up.
Researchers at Iowa State University are working to increase interest in biomanufacturing with bioreactor kits that can be used at community colleges or high schools.
The Iowa Board of Medicine has dismissed disciplinary charges against a physician who argued Iowa’s “stand your ground” law protected him from sanctions for physically striking a handcuffed, combative patient.
As Des Moines Area Community College’s new president, Lori Suddick, sets up meet-and-greets and prepares for the upcoming fall semester, she said she’s making early observations of where DMACC is succeeding and where it could grow.
Hydrologic monitoring stations that help researchers compile flood and drought information useful for farmers and communities will soon be deployed across all of southwestern Iowa, following funding announced Friday by U.S. Rep. Zach Nunn.
NEWS FROM THE MIDWEST AND IOWA'S NEIGHBORS
Illinois will not change child vaccine guidelines after Trump executive order | Capitol News Illinois
‘Our focus is on Hammond’: Bears keep stadium sights on Indiana | Indiana Capital Chronicle
Kansas Court of Appeals agrees with order forbidding cross-party nominations, fusion voting | Kansas Reflector
| Michigan Advance
Documents show how feds spied on protesters, left-wing organizations and unions during Metro Surge | Minnesota Reformer
As Kansas City Council rushes toward a Royals stadium vote, key questions go unanswered | Missouri Independent
Judge hears arguments in cases challenging two new Nebraska parties | Nebraska Examiner
Fertilizer from coal a key part of North Dakota critical minerals processing plans | North Dakota Monitor
Ohio GOP Gov. DeWine makes plea to Trump: Let us keep immigrants | Ohio Capital Journal
Cattle producers cope with ‘gut-wrenching’ losses from July heat wave | South Dakota Searchlight
Wisconsin DOJ identifies officer involved in Madison shooting | Wisconsin Examiner
FEDERAL FALLOUT
States Newsroom relentlessly reports on how changes at the federal level are affecting people at the state level — and how state governments are responding in this volatile political climate. We post new stories each day; here are just a few:
Oregon, nine other states sue Trump admin to protect interest payments to homeowners | Oregon Capital Chronicle
How Trump’s anti-DEI shift unraveled a successful federal investment in Maine schools | Maine Morning Star
Georgia officials say new federal Medicaid rules threaten state’s partial expansion program | Georgia Recorder
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