Good morning from Iowa Capital Dispatch.

“This debate is about much more than fuel. Agriculture is hurting right now.” — U.S. Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks in a statement about House approval of legislation allowing year-round sales of the 15% ethanol blend known as E15. The bill faces an uncertain future in the U.S. Senate.

The Iowa Veterans Cemetery in Adel, shown here on July 23, 2024, will host a Memorial Day ceremony on Monday, May 25. (Photo by Kathie Obradovich/Iowa Capital Dispatch)

The United States will celebrate Memorial Day on Monday, May 25, honoring U.S. military personnel who died serving the country.

As residents of Iowa cities and towns prepare for the holiday by placing American flags at cemeteries, organizing parades and paying tribute to fallen service members, below are some events scheduled for Memorial Day 2026.

Meilina Xiong (left) and Olivia Xiong, both of North Liberty, and 7-year-old lab Diesel, walk at the Devonian Fossil Gorge near the Coralville Lake on May 11, 2026. (Photo by Erin Jordan for Iowa Capital Dispatch)

Just in time for the busy summer season, the Coralville Lake Visitor Center reopened May 1 after being closed for nearly four years for repairs and renovation.

There are new restrooms, a volunteer kiosk and a few temporary displays, but the $6 million renovation did not include money for permanent or interactive exhibits to highlight the area’s marquee attraction – the Devonian Fossil Gorge.

State Sen. Zach Wahls and Rep. Josh Turek both worked to make their case to voters Saturday around the Des Moines area on why their campaign is the best shot at winning back the U.S. Senate seat for Democrats in November.

Republican gubernatorial candidate Adam Steen addressed a death threat against his campaign Friday during a campaign stop at Wallaby’s restaurant in Ames.

The Iowa Senate Ethics Committee voted Friday to dismiss a complaint against state Sen. Zach Wahls, D-Coralville, for his past employment as executive director of the Next 50 Network while serving in the state Legislature.

A Des Moines therapist accused of business-related theft, fraud and forgery is now facing disciplinary charges from a state licensing board.

Legislation allowing year-round sales of 15% ethanol fuel blends, which passed the U.S. House May 13, faces an uncertain future in the Senate.

The Trump brand is placing Republicans’ miniscule U.S. House majority at high risk, despite a GOP rush to redistricting in Southern states this spring following a landmark U.S. Supreme Court decision and earlier gerrymandering.

Kevin Warsh assumed his new role as chair of the Federal Reserve Friday after a swearing-in ceremony in the White House East Room, where U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas delivered the oath of office.

COMMENTARY

David Greene of Waterloo, who died recently at age 101, was one of the longest-living veterans who served at Iwo Jima in World War II, guest columnist Patrick Kinney writes via Iowa Writers’ Collaborative.

Dave Price shares behind-the-scenes details of the KCCI/Gray Media debate with four of the five GOP candidates for governor. Dave, Laura Belin and Kathie Obradovich also delve into U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s visit to Iowa as Gov. Kim Reynolds signed her “MAHA” legislation. The podcast is produced by Iowa Writers’ Collaborative.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

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.