Good morning from Iowa Capital Dispatch.
“What I do want Iowans to know is this: Today is not a ribbon cutting. … We do not have men and women in hard hats and carrying lunch buckets, ready to go to work. This truly is a concept plan right now, a concept plan with many questions. … But sadly, this is a concept that is sorely needed in our great state of Iowa.” — Rep. Dave Jacoby, D-Coralville, on his support for legislation allowing an estimated $1.4 billion in tax incentives for a proposed steel mill plant in southeast Iowa.
Gov. Kim Reynolds signed into law a measure that would allow the state of Iowa more tax incentives for a steel mill project being considered in southeast Iowa after lawmakers passed the bill in a special session Oct. 2, 2026. (Photo by Robin Opsahl/Iowa Capital Dispatch)
Gov. Kim Reynolds signed a bill Friday changing a state’s economic development program that could provide nearly $1.4 billion in tax incentives for a $15 billion steel mill project planned in southeast Iowa.
Lawmakers, who approved the bill during a daylong special session, called it the largest economic development deal in the state’s history.
Iowa secretary of agriculture candidates Chris Jones, right, and Mike Naig debated on an Oct. 2 episode of Iowa Press moderated by Kay Henderson, center, and Donnelle Eller. (Screenshot courtesy of Iowa PBS)
Candidates for Iowa’s secretary of agriculture debated over their divergent plans for the role, though the candidates agreed on some issues like growing Iowa’s cattle herd and keeping Iowa land in farmers’ hands.
Current Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig is running for reelection as the Republican candidate against water quality researcher and activist Chris Jones who has called his bid for the seat a “referendum” on Iowa water quality.
THIS WEEK'S TOP STORIES
Environmental groups have filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Agriculture on behalf of several farmers, farm groups and solar agencies for changes to a renewable energy program that impacts solar projects.
A north-central Iowa attorney has been sentenced to six months in federal prison for healthcare fraud in attempting to assist a client in qualifying for Medicaid.
As Iowa Auditor of State Rob Sand completed a 99-county tour for the second time in his gubernatorial campaign, he called for supporters to keep momentum up and bring “divided government once again” to Iowa.
President Donald Trump announced Monday the company Mesabi Metallics plans to build a $15 billion steel mill in Iowa, and said he’ll soon visit the state for a rally ahead of the Nov. 3, 2026, election.
The Federal Trade Commission along with state attorneys general, including Iowa’s, have reached a settlement with the seed and pesticide manufacturer Corteva Inc. in a case about pesticide competition.
After concluding year one of research into why Iowa has higher instances of cancer than other states, Iowa Department of Health and Human Services and the University of Iowa College of Public Health officials said their analysis found 76% of Iowa’s higher rates of five common types of cancer could be attributed to demographic and behavioral risk factors.
Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds has called for special legislative session to take place Friday, Oct. 2, to amend the state’s Major Economic Growth Attraction (MEGA) program and provide incentives for a steel mill project in Lee County.
Drake University has been named a partner in the artificial intelligence strategy of Panama, a move the university president says builds on the pair’s relationship and expands its mission of meeting learners where they are.
A small, Dallas County community is set to break ground on significant upgrades to its water infrastructure following a $2 million grant and $600,000 loan from U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development.
A Democratic state senator on the Senate’s tax-writing committee said Friday that timing on a potential special session reported Friday is “suspicious” as the 2026 general election draws near.
U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson and state Rep. Josh Turek both reiterated their calls for Congress to reduce fuel prices as they campaigned Friday for the state’s competitive U.S. Senate seat.
NEWS FROM THE MIDWEST AND IOWA'S NEIGHBORS
Report: New data centers could create more than 120K Illinois jobs, though mostly temporary | Capitol News Illinois
Indiana plans to proceed with execution after botched Tennessee attempt | Indiana Capital Chronicle
As Kansans lose SNAP benefits, state lawmakers examine system hurdles | Kansas Reflector
Michigan school districts, food pantries feel SNAP cut ripple effect ahead of cost shift to states | Michigan Advance
Minnesota students’ standardized test scores continue to stagnate | Minnesota Reformer
Missouri can keep using disputed federal database to review voter eligibility | Missouri Independent
Justices consider appeal in challenge to Nebraska overseas voter law | Nebraska Examiner
North Dakota gives farmers a break on diesel as harvest ramps up | North Dakota Monitor
Congressional Republicans want permitting reform. An Ohio project shows how tricky that could be. | Ohio Capital Journal
South Dakota governor’s response to diesel prices may not help producers, ag leader says | South Dakota Searchlight
Assembly GOP candidates in competitive seats try to distance themselves from their party | 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:
Kentucky agriculture commissioner calls on governor to pause restriction on untaxed diesel | Kentucky Lantern
DOJ lawsuit seeking Georgia voters’ unredacted data dismissed, again | Georgia Recorder
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