Wednesday - April 15, 2026
News Tipoffs - Iowa Editors Newsletter for Wednesday April 08, 2026 ( 31 items )  

"Wrongheaded" Court Decision on Iowa Book Ban Law Upholds Bans in Schools for Titles with Sexual Content
NEW YORK, April 7 [Category: Media] -- PEN America, an organization that says it stands at the intersection of literature and human rights to protect free expression, posted the following news release: * * * "Wrongheaded" Court Decision on Iowa Book Ban Law Upholds Bans in Schools for Titles with Sexual Content * (NEW YORK)-PEN America today condemned two court rulings that vacated a preliminary injunction against Iowa's book banning statute and held that schools or state legislatures "can c  more

2026 Iowa National Archery in the Schools Program Tournament recap
DES MOINES, Iowa, April 7 -- The Iowa Department of Natural Resources issued the following news release: * * * 2026 Iowa National Archery in the Schools Program Tournament recap * DES MOINES - Nearly 2700 students from more than 146 schools from across Iowa competed at the 19th Annual National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP) State Tournament at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines from March 27 - 29. This is the largest youth archery tournament in Iowa. Archers competed in both B  more

2026 Walleye netting season starts for Iowa DNR fish hatcheries
DES MOINES, Iowa, April 7 -- The Iowa Department of Natural Resources issued the following news release: * * * 2026 Walleye netting season starts for Iowa DNR fish hatcheries * MORAVIA - The annual walleye collection has already begun at Rathbun Lake, as well as on the Mississippi River. Collection efforts will begin in the next few days at Storm, East Okoboji, and Spirit lakes. In lakes, crews with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources Fisheries Bureau set gillnets at night in traditio  more

Attorney General Alan Wilson protects children from the harms of social media
COLUMBIA, South Carolina, April 7 -- South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson issued the following news: * * * Attorney General Alan Wilson protects children from the harms of social media * (COLUMBIA, S.C.) - Attorney General Alan Wilson has joined a 32-state friend-of-the-court brief in defense of a Louisiana law that protects children from the addictive harms of social media. States have the power to protect children from the harms posed by social media. Platforms have brought in $11  more

Center of the American Experiment Issues Commentary: Iowa Considers New Nuclear Power, Minnesota Cannot
GOLDEN VALLEY, Minnesota, April 8 -- The Center of the American Experiment, a civic and educational organization that says it creates and advocates policies, issued the following commentary by policy fellow Bill Glahn: * * * Iowa considers new nuclear power, Minnesota cannot From KCCI-8 TV (CBS, Des Moines), "Iowa considers new nuclear reactor project" A six-word sentence that is illegal north of the border. The CBS outlet's very brief report covers a routine meeting held to discuss the top  more

Center of the American Experiment Issues Commentary: Money will flow - it's just a matter of where
GOLDEN VALLEY, Minnesota, April 8 -- The Center of the American Experiment, a civic and educational organization that says it creates and advocates policies, issued the following commentary on April 7, 2026, by policy fellow Catrin Wigfall: * * * Money will flow -- it's just a matter of where The new federal tax-credit could bring billions of dollars into education. States that opt out aren't stopping that money -- they are just sending it somewhere else. The structure of the program is stra  more

Courtesy dock repair to begin this week at Lost Grove Lake
DES MOINES, Iowa, April 7 -- The Iowa Department of Natural Resources issued the following news release: * * * Courtesy dock repair to begin this week at Lost Grove Lake * ELDRIDGE, Iowa - Work on the courtesy docks at one of eastern Iowa's more popular fishing lakes will be underway starting April 8. Chad Dolan, fisheries biologist with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, said a contractor will be working on structural repairs to the courtesy docks at Lost Grove Lake's three boat ra  more

Ernst Names Small Business of the Week, Mill Creek Cafe
WASHINGTON, April 6 -- Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, issued the following news release: * * * Ernst Names Small Business of the Week, Mill Creek Cafe * RED OAK, Iowa - U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Chair of the Senate Small Business Committee, today announced her Small Business of the Week: Mill Creek Cafe of Cedar County. Throughout the 119 th Congress, Chair Ernst plans to recognize a small business in each of Iowa's 99 counties. "Mill Creek Cafe is a soup-er example of the dedication and  more

ESPN scores second most-watched NCAA Women's Final Four on record
BRISTOL, Connecticut, April 7 [Category: BizMedia] -- ESPN, a sports media company, posted the following news release: * * * ESPN scores second most-watched NCAA Women's Final Four on record * * Based on Full Nielsen + Big Data Numbers 2026 NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Championship Game * ESPN delivered the third largest audience since its exclusive rights agreement began in 1996, behind only 2024's record-breaking game (South Carolina-Iowa) and 2023 (LSU-Iowa) * Averaged 9.9 m  more

First Mid Bank & Trust Spotlights Latest Scam Trends During 2026 Tax Season
MATTOON, Illinois, April 8 -- First Mid Bank and Trust issued the following news release: * * * First Mid Bank & Trust Spotlights Latest Scam Trends During 2026 Tax Season St. Louis, MO - Tax scams are surging in 2026, and the numbers are alarming. Nearly one in four Americans has either fallen victim to a tax-related scheme or knows someone who has, with losses averaging $8,000 per person. As artificial intelligence gives fraudsters more sophisticated tools, First Mid Bank & Trust (First Mid  more

Future-proofing livestock vaccines by anticipating viruses' next moves
AMES, Iowa, April 7 -- Iowa State University issued the following news release: * * * Future-proofing livestock vaccines by anticipating viruses' next moves The wave-shaped chart Ratul Chowdhury pulls up on a computer monitor in his office captures the evolutionary cat-and-mouse game his research lab is up against. The undulating curves track variants of the porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) virus, which causes a swine disease that annually costs the global pork industry m  more

Ga. A.G. Carr Joins 25-State Coalition in Amicus Brief Against Noncitizen Voting
ATLANTA, Georgia, April 8 -- Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr issued the following news release on April 7, 2026: * * * Carr Joins 25-State Coalition in Amicus Brief Against Noncitizen Voting Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr has filed an amicus brief urging the U.S. Supreme Court to reverse a Ninth Circuit decision that undermines states' ability to prevent noncitizens from voting in American elections. "Only American citizens are eligible to vote in American elections. Period. That's   more

Gov. Reynolds signs bill to reform foster care training, commits to federal partnership to increase foster homes
DES MOINES, Iowa, April 7 -- Gov. Kim Reynolds, R-Iowa, issued the following news release: * * * Gov. Reynolds signs bill to reform foster care training, commits to federal partnership to increase foster homes * Today, Governor Kim Reynolds signed state legislation and a joint proclamation with the federal Administration of Children and Families (ACF) which aim to strengthen Iowa's foster care system. Now signed into law, Senate File 2096 shifts the focus of foster training to a competency  more

Iowa Law Among the Top 5 Law Schools in the Nation for Employment Outcomes in Latest U.S. News Rankings
IOWA CITY, Iowa, April 8 -- The University of Iowa College of Law issued the following news: * * * Iowa Law among the top 5 law schools in the nation for employment outcomes in latest U.S. News rankings Iowa Law climbs four spots to the No. 32 Best Law School nationally. Written by: Katie Linder The University of Iowa College of Law is the fifth best law school in the country for employment outcomes, according to the latest U.S. News & World Report Best Graduate Schools rankings--highlighti  more

Iowa youth artists recognized for fish drawings and essays
DES MOINES, Iowa, April 7 -- The Iowa Department of Natural Resources issued the following news release: * * * Iowa youth artists recognized for fish drawings and essays * About 300 Iowa students from kindergarten to high school seniors participated in the Iowa Fish Art and Essay Contest; a collaboration between the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and Wildlife Forever. The Iowa Fish Art and Essay Contest uses art and creative writing to ignite children's imagination while teachi  more

IRFA Recommends Prevailing Wage and Emission Calculation Changes to 45Z Tax Credit
WEST DES MOINES, Iowa, April 8 -- The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association issued the following news release on April 7, 2026: * * * IRFA Recommends Prevailing Wage and Emission Calculation Changes to 45Z Tax Credit IRFA Highlights Changes to Enhance American Energy Security * Yesterday the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) submitted comments to the U.S. Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) regarding proposed rules for the 45Z Clean Fuel Production Tax Credit. IRFA noted that   more

Micro-credential course teaches K-12 educators critical AI literacy skills
AMES, Iowa, April 7 -- Iowa State University issued the following news release: * * * Micro-credential course teaches K-12 educators critical AI literacy skills * The conversation about generative artificial intelligence in schools is often centered on cheating -how to spot it, how to stop it and who's at fault. But there's also a deeper and more urgent conversation underneath that one, said Evrim Baran, professor of educational technology and human-computer interaction, and the Helen LeBa  more

Miller-Meeks Leads Roundtable on Working Families Tax Cuts, Highlights Relief for Iowa Families and Small Businesses
WASHINGTON, April 7 -- Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, R-Iowa, issued the following news release: * * * Miller-Meeks Leads Roundtable on Working Families Tax Cuts, Highlights Relief for Iowa Families and Small Businesses * BURLINGTON, IA. -Today, Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks (IA-01) joined the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, local leaders, and small business owners in Burlington for a roundtable discussion on the Working Families Tax Cuts and how the legislation is delivering real relief   more

Miller-Meeks Leads Rural Health Transformation Program Roundtable in Washington County
WASHINGTON, April 7 -- Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, R-Iowa, issued the following news release: * * * Miller-Meeks Leads Rural Health Transformation Program Roundtable in Washington County * WASHINGTON, IA - U.S. Representative Mariannette Miller-Meeks (IA-01) convened her third Rural Hospital Roundtable with Iowa HHS, and leaders from hospitals across Southeast Iowa to discuss the $50 billion Rural Health Transformation Program, and the impact it will have in Iowa. "At today's roundtable  more

Monmouth University: Prof. Williams Joins Conversations in Black Freedom Studies Roundtable
WEST LONG BRANCH, New Jersey, April 8 -- Monmouth University issued the following news: * * * Prof. Williams Joins Conversations in Black Freedom Studies Roundtable Hettie V. Williams, Ph.D., associate professor of African American History in the Department of History and Anthropology, recently presented her work as part of the Conversations in Black Freedom Studies roundtable series presented by the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture. This month's event topic was "Freedom North:   more

REMINDER: Zach Nunn Has Never Held a Town Hall
WASHINGTON, April 7 -- The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee posted the following news release: * * * REMINDER: Zach Nunn Has Never Held a Town Hall * Sarah Trone Garriott is holding a town hall today, so here's your reminder that Zach Nunn has not held a single public town hall since being elected to represent Iowans. * Nunn called town halls " taxpayer-funded protest event[s] " - insulting the Iowans who deserve to hear from their elected representative. * KGAN reported las  more

Secretary Naig Invites Students to Enter the 2026 Choose Iowa Calendar Contest as Part of Iowa's America250 Celebration
DES MOINES, Iowa, April 7 -- The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship issued the following news: * * * Secretary Naig Invites Students to Enter the 2026 Choose Iowa Calendar Contest as Part of Iowa's America250 Celebration * Selected artwork celebrating agriculture and America will appear in a popular annual coloring calendar DES MOINES, Iowa (Apr. 7, 2026) - As part of Iowa's America250 celebration, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig is inviting school-aged Iowa studen  more

Southeastern Iowa Hospital CEO Confronted Mariannette Miller-Meeks on Medicaid Cuts As Rural Hospitals "Forced to Make Tough Calls"
WASHINGTON, April 7 -- The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee posted the following news release: * * * Southeastern Iowa Hospital CEO Confronted Mariannette Miller-Meeks on Medicaid Cuts As Rural Hospitals "Forced to Make Tough Calls" * Des Moines Register : "Mike McCoy, president and CEO of the Great River Health system in southeastern Iowa, raised concerns about rural hospitals being forced to make tough calls while they already operate on thin or negative operating margins." Ne  more

Tippie's Iowa MBA Ranked Among the Best by US News
IOWA CITY, Iowa, April 8 -- The University of Iowa Tippie College of Business issued the following news: * * * Tippie's Iowa MBA ranked among the best by US News US News and World Report has ranked the Tippie College of Business' part-time Iowa MBA among the best in the country in its annual Best Graduate Schools higher education rankings. The part-time MBA program was ranked 22nd overall, holding steady from last year, and 11th among public programs. The ranking is one of many the Iowa MBA  more

TWS2026 and the Art of Conservation
BETHESDA, Maryland, April 7 -- The Wildlife Society, a wildlife conservation organization, posted the following news: * * * TWS2026 and the art of conservation * * * "Our ability to perceive quality in nature begins, as in art, with the pretty. It expands through successive stages of the beautiful to values as yet uncaptured by language." - Aldo Leopold, A Sand County Almanac and Sketches Here and There * * * Art has emerged as a prominent theme of The Wildlife Society's 2026 Annual Conf  more

UnityPoint Health Offers New Treatment Option for Enlarged Prostate
WEST DES MOINES, Iowa, April 8 -- UnityPoint Health issued the following news release: * * * UnityPoint Health Offers New Treatment Option for Enlarged Prostate UnityPoint Health - Trinity Bettendorf is proud to introduce the Quad Cities' first HYDROS Robotic System for Aquablation joining UnityPoint Health - Cedar Rapids in offering a new option for men dealing with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), or an enlarged prostate. BPH is one of the most common urological issues in the U.S., and   more

University of Iowa College of Liberal Arts and Sciences: School of Social Work Faculty Member Analyzes Aging From an Intersectional Perspective
IOWA CITY, Iowa, April 3 -- The University of Iowa College of Liberal Arts and Sciences issued the following news: * * * School of Social Work faculty member analyzes aging from an intersectional perspective May Guo, associate professor for the School of Social Work, expands upon current understandings of aging in her new textbook. By Samantha Wirth May Guo, PhD, FGSA, associate professor at the School of Social Work, has long worked to advance the field of aging. Guo's research focuses on   more

University of Iowa College of Liberal Arts and Sciences: Speech-Language Pathology Rises to #3 in Latest 'US News and World Report' Ranking
IOWA CITY, Iowa, April 8 -- The University of Iowa College of Liberal Arts and Sciences issued the following news: * * * Speech-language pathology rises to #3 in latest 'US News and World Report' ranking National rankings reflect Iowa's enduring leadership in communication sciences and disorders. * Two graduate programs in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders again rank among the best in the nation, according to U.S. News & World Report's Best Graduate Schools rankings for  more

University of Northern Iowa Speech-Language Pathology Graduate Program Ranked Among U.S. News & World Report's Best Graduate Schools
CEDAR FALLS, Iowa, April 8 -- The University of Northern Iowa issued the following news release: * * * UNI Speech-Language Pathology graduate program ranked among U.S. News & World Report's Best Graduate Schools The University of Northern Iowa has been recognized in the 2026 edition of U.S News & World Report's Best Graduate Schools, with its Master of Arts program in Speech-Language Pathology earning a place among the nation's top programs. UNI's speech-language pathology master's program p  more

West Virginia Urging the DOJ to Protect Federal Attorneys From Political Groups Who are Weaponizing Bar Complaints
CHARLESTON, West Virginia, April 8 -- The West Virginia Attorney General John B. McCuskey issued the following news release on April 7, 2026: * * * West Virginia urging the DOJ to protect federal attorneys from political groups who are weaponizing bar complaints West Virginia Attorney General JB McCuskey is leading a coalition of fourteen state Attorneys General in fighting back against organized, politically motivated campaigns designed to intimidate Department of Justice attorneys and cripp  more

Zach Nunn's Health Care Record: Higher Costs, Closed Clinics, Repealing the ACA
WASHINGTON, April 7 -- The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee posted the following news release: * * * Zach Nunn's Health Care Record: Higher Costs, Closed Clinics, Repealing the ACA * Zach Nunn went to Washington and voted to raise health care premiums, close down clinics, and make care even harder to find for Iowans. Reminder of Nunn's toxic health care record: * Nunn said he " won't support " cuts to Medicaid - then turned around and voted for the largest Medicaid cuts in hi  more