Good morning from Iowa Capital Dispatch.
“We have to look at the real facts and the real data, and it does not appear from the facts that Iowa farmland is being owned by out-of-state entities or foreign owners. That that just doesn’t bear up under the facts.” — Kristine Tidgren, director for the Center for Agricultural Law and Taxation at Iowa State University, on the 2026 political discussion about farmland ownership in Iowa.
Formalized ownership of Iowa farmland is becoming more popular, but researchers say this is mostly due to succession planning. (Photo by Jared Strong/Iowa Capital Dispatch)
Iowa gubernatorial candidates Zach Lahn and Rob Sand both have said corporate or out-of-state ownership of Iowa farmland is a problem and have suggested policies that would tax Iowans at lower rates than out-of-state or investor landowners.
But ag land researchers say that much of the rise in formalized farm land ownership – through LLCs, trusts and corporations – is tied to succession planning and that the out-of-state or institutionalized owners are usually people with direct ties to Iowa.
U.S. Sen. John Kennedy, a Louisiana Republican, delivered a speech at the Iowa Faith and Freedom Coalition fall fundraiser Sep. 19, 2026 at the Airport Holiday Inn in Des Moines. (Photo by Robin Opsahl/Iowa Capital Dispatch)
U.S. Sen. John Kennedy of Louisiana told a crowd of Iowa conservatives Saturday he believes current high inflation is being caused by the U.S.-Iran war — but said he sees an end to the conflict within six months.
Kennedy was the keynote speaker for the Iowa Faith and Freedom Coalition’s annual fall fundraiser in Des Moines Saturday evening. The crowd of more than 1,300 expanded into an overflow room at the Airport Holiday Inn.
U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson and U.S. Sen. John Barrasso of Wyoming said Saturday that keeping Republicans in control of Congress was needed to ensure Democrats do not reverse changes made through the 2025 “One Big, Beautiful Bill” Act like tax cuts to tips and overtime.
The future of data centers has become a flashpoint in this year’s congressional races. It’s woven into the debate about affordability, artificial intelligence and corporate influence on government.
A federal appeals court Friday struck down the Trump administration’s policy to quickly send noncitizens to countries they are not from, finding that immigrants must have an opportunity to challenge their removal if they fear for their safety.
A coalition of civil rights groups and union organizations Friday sued the Trump administration to prevent the deployment of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents to polling locations during November’s midterm elections.
Voting rights groups and Democratic officials are looking to defend against what they see as possible election interference from the Trump administration ahead of the upcoming midterm elections, now that they’ve won a major battle over mail ballots.
A federal judge told the Trump administration Friday a case against the Department of Justice’s $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization” fund is “still alive and kicking.”
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration says it’s helping manufacturers increase the supply of estrogen-based hormonal patches and acknowledged a current nationwide shortage as more women seek hormonal therapies for symptoms related to menopause, Stateline reports.
Students ages 12 to 18 experienced higher rates of reported crime at school than away from school in 2024, according to a new federal analysis. But the overall rate of crime victimization at school has not changed significantly since 2014, Stateline reports.
COMMENTARY
Eric Woolson joins the crew again this week, marking Sen. Chuck Grassley’s 93rd birthday and issues of elected officials’ age and capacity, the proposed constitutional amendment on Iowa’s November ballot, candidate visibility and more.
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