Good morning from Iowa Capital Dispatch.
“I think that the Senate is a tougher map for the Democrats than the House is. But given Trump’s approval ratings, obviously it is certainly possible that Democrats win, even in these tougher states.” — Zachary Peskowitz, political science professor at Emory University, on the prospects for Democrats to win the majority in the U.S. Senate.
USDA announced an initiative and funding to promote farm to school programs and more nutritions school lunches. (Photo by Lance Cheung/USDA)
The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced Monday efforts to increase the nutritional value of school lunches, including a push for more locally grown foods at schools.
The announcement, made in conjunction with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, noted funding packages to improve school kitchen infrastructure, farm to school grants and research into school meal nutrition.
Iowa Republican gubernatorial candidate Zach Lahn gave a speech and answered questions at a candidate forum Aug. 24, 2026 hosted by the Iowa Association of Business and Industry in West Des Moines. (Photo by Robin Opsahl/Iowa Capital Dispatch)
Zach Lahn, the GOP nominee for Iowa governor, said Monday many of the major concerns about new technologies like data center power use and Flock cameras are issues that need to be regulated at a state level.
Lahn, a businessman, spoke about his gubernatorial campaign and answered questions at an Iowa Association of Business and Industry candidate forum in West Des Moines.
A report analyzing nearly 20 years of field data collected by Iowa State University on soybean cyst nematodes shows the tiny, parasitic roundworm has continued to adapt to the industry’s most popular resistant variety.
With 47% of Iowa corn acres in the dent stage, according to the latest crop progress and condition report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the crop is nearing harvest season.
State regulators have issued warnings to four Iowa nurses for allegedly using drugs or being impaired while working in hospitals and other care settings.
Voters throughout much of the country will cast ballots for their U.S. senator this fall, but just nine states – including Iowa -- hold the power to determine control of the chamber.
The Department of Homeland Security is planning to drastically increase the fee for hiring high-skilled foreign workers within the United States to $100,000, according to a preview of a proposed rule published Monday.
With just over two months until the November midterms, the U.S. Supreme Court gave way Monday for President Donald Trump to have a hand in regulating mail-in ballots nationwide, a voting method he has falsely claimed is rife with corruption since he lost the 2020 presidential election.
President Donald Trump and U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon on Monday touted a national private school voucher program set to launch in early 2027.
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