Good morning from Iowa Capital Dispatch.
“I’ve continually been faced with the question, ‘how can Iowa become number one in education again?' The equation is simple. It’s competition plus innovation and support equals success.” — State Sen. Jesse Green, R-Harcourt, on legislation signed Tuesday sending more state funding to charter schools and allowing the expansion of homeschools.
Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds was joined by Des Moines Prep students, state legislators and other charter school advocates as she signed into law a measure making changes to charter school and homeschooling regulations May 12, 2026. (Photo by Robin Opsahl/Iowa Capital Dispatch)
Gov. Kim Reynolds said a measure she signed into law Tuesday on charter school funding and homeschool rules are “yet another step to put students first” in the state as part of Republicans’ “school choice” agenda.
Reynolds said five years ago, Iowa only had two charter schools in operation. Today, she said, there are 10 charter schools operating across the state, and another eight authorized to open.
Vote stickers in a basket on Election Day 2024. (Photo by Cami Koons/Iowa Capital Dispatch)
Early voting kicks off Wednesday, May 13 for the 2026 primary elections in Iowa.
Iowans will have the chance to weigh in on contests determining either the Republican and Democratic nominees in several federal and state races. Voters can participate on Election Day, June 2, or begin voting early at in-person locations or by mail beginning Wednesday.
An Iowa-licensed surgeon accused of “perverted” and unprofessional conduct while practicing in another state is now facing sanctions from Iowa regulators.
An Iowan who lost his teaching license 10 years ago over allegations of inappropriate conduct with a student is now facing a two-year suspension of his nursing license.
The cost of the Iran war has increased to $29 billion to date, Pentagon officials told lawmakers in both chambers Tuesday.
Most of the oil affected by Iran's restriction on travel through the Strait of Hormuz is headed to Asian markets. So why are gas prices so high in the U.S.?
Several Republican U.S. senators left a closed-door lunch with Secret Service Director Sean Curran on Tuesday saying they still have questions about how the agency would spend an additional $1 billion.
After the U.S. Supreme Court’s late April decision sharply curtailing the use of race in redistricting, much of the legal fight over gerrymandering is moving to state courts.
The Trump administration’s quest to exercise authority over midterm elections and impose sweeping restrictions on voters largely has been stymied by the courts, rebuffed by many state election officials and opposed by key Republican senators.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Marty Makary on Tuesday became the latest member of President Donald Trump’s administration to leave their post this year.
COMMENTARY
Two recent episodes are examples of “government leaders bedeviled by lousy optics and burdened by tone deafness,” guest columnist Randy Evans writes via Iowa Writers’ Collaborative.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
COMMENTARY
Thanks for reading Daily Dispatch. Did you know our weekend digest is also free? Sign up here. And if you enjoyed today’s edition, please forward to a friend. Increasing our readership helps us cover more news.