By The Iowa Statesman   Two Iowa Republican county central committees have called on state and federal officials to stop providing taxpayer funds to Planned Parenthood in the wake of the Center for Medical Progress’ investigative videos that detail the abortion provider’s use on unethical and illegal practices to obtain […]

By Bob Eschliman Editor   Our state fair is a great state fair. Don’t miss it. Don’t even be late. It’s dollars to donuts that our state fair is the best state fair in our state. OK, enough Rodgers and Hammerstein. The eyes of the political world have descended upon […]

From Press Reelase   Iowa Governor Terry Branstad today announced appointments to Iowa’s boards and commissions. The following individuals’ appointments are effective Aug. 6, unpaid, and are not subject to Iowa Senate confirmation:   College Student Aid Commission Amy Brace, Ankeny   Mississippi River Parkway Planning Commission Lisa Walsh, Burlington […]

From Press Release   Iowa Gov. Terry E. Branstad and Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds today announced they will launch a series of roundtable meetings across the state to focus on ways to better align education and workforce initiatives to close the skills gap and meet future employer needs. The roundtable […]

From Press Release   The nationally-acclaimed, Grammy Award-nominated and Dove Award-winning Christian pop rock band Newsboys will make a special appearance at Republican presidential candidate U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz’ Rally for Religious Liberty on Aug. 21 in Des Moines. “Our campaign couldn’t be excited for the Newsboys to perform […]

By Bob Eschliman Editor   Not long after Iowa Speaker of the House of Representatives Kraig Paulsen (R-Hiawatha) announced he would be vacating the chair prior to the start of the 2016 legislative session, Senate Minority Leader Bill Dix (R-Shell Rock) and House Majority Leader Linda Upmeyer (R-Clear Lake) issued […]

By Bob Eschliman Editor   Speaker of the Iowa House of Representatives Kraig Paulsen (R-Hiawatha) has announced he will relinquish the chair and not seek re-election in 2016. The surprising news was announced this morning, catching many Republicans off-guard. Paulsen is one of the longest-serving Republican leaders in Iowa House […]

From Press Release   Gov. Scott Walker today announced the first 65 members of his Iowa leadership team, which includes than one-third of the state’s senate Republicans, six state representatives, and numerous other current and former elected officials, business leaders, and party activists. “Our Iowa leadership team includes a […]

From Press Release   U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, today announced the addition of another lawmaker as well as several activists, pastors, and courageous conservatives to his Iowa Leadership Team. The ten new members will join the current team of 24 other individuals who make up the Iowa Leadership Team, […]

From Press Release   Funeral services have been scheduled for Senior Airman Drew Bellairs, 20, of Osage. Bellairs, a member of the Maintenance Group, 185th Air Refueling Wing, Iowa Air National Guard based in Sioux City drowned while swimming at Marbo Cave, Mangilao, Guam, on Saturday, July 25. Bellairs was […]

By The Iowa Public Information Board   Question:  I am a member of a three member governmental body. Can I talk to another member away from public meetings? Answer:  It is difficult for two of three members of a governmental body to communicate outside an open, public meeting without violating […]

By Sgt. Renee Surentine 135th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment Iowa National Guard   On a hot summer day in central Louisiana, Iowa Army National Guard Sgt. 1st Class Chris Jorgensen, of Garrison oversees the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) training of his 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 34th Infantry Division Soldiers. Iowa […]

From Press Release   U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, will hold a Rally for Religious Liberty on August 21 in Des Moines, IA, calling attention to the religious persecution of Christian business owners and employees who have been sanctioned by their government because of their religious beliefs. Sen. Cruz will […]

From Press Release   Today the Obama Administration’s declared a major disaster for the state of Iowa following severe weather that occurred during the period of June 20 to June 25, 2015.  Grassley led the Iowa congressional egation last week in writing a letter to President Barack Obama adding their […]

By Bob Eschliman Editor   With the release of four (and counting) videos depicting the atrocities happening at Planned Parenthood facilities all around the country, there has been a renewed push to discontinue taxpayer funding for the organization. In Iowa, Gov. Terry Branstad has insisted that taxpayer money not be […]

From Press Release   Matt Hinch, Gov. Terry Branstad’s and Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds’ Chief of Staff since October 14, 2013, today announced he is departing the governor’s office to pursue an opportunity in the private sector. “It has been an incredible privilege to serve as Governor Branstad’s and Lieutenant […]

From Press Release   Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad today announced appointments to Iowa’s boards and commissions. The following individuals’ appointments are effective July 29, 2015, unpaid, and are not subject to Iowa Senate confirmation: Iowa Statewide Interoperable Communications System Board Samantha Brear, Clive Andrew Buffington, Forest City

From Press Release   More than 2,000 Soldiers of the 2nd Brigade, 34th Infantry Division, Iowa Army National Guard, headquartered at Boone, Iowa, with subordinate and supporting units from across the state, are currently conducting annual training at the U.S. Army’s Joint Readiness Training Center at Fort Polk, La. The […]

From Press Release   During a Pro-Life rally Tuesday at Planned Parenthood in Sioux City, State Senator Rick Bertrand (R-Sioux City) called for the Iowa Chapter of Planned Parenthood to be dropped from the State of Iowa’s Medicaid approved provider list.  This procedural maneuver would prevent Planned Parenthood of Iowa […]

From Press Release   Kemin Industries President and CEO Dr. Chris Nelson will serve as co-chair of the Iowa Governor’s STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) Advisory Council starting this month. Appointed by Gov. Terry Branstad, Nelson succeeds Vermeer CEO and Chair of the Board Mary Andringa, who completed her […]

From Press Release   Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad has announced that he is extending the State of Disaster Emergency in response to the avian flu outbreak through Aug. 30. This is the third extension the governor has made to the original disaster proclamation. The current disaster proclamation would have expired […]

From Press Release   Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad, Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds, Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey, Director of the Iowa Economic Development Authority Debi Durham, Director of the Iowa Department of Transportation Paul Trombino and Director of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources Chuck Gipp today sent a letter […]

From Press Release   Retired elementary school physical education teacher Joe Grandanette will run as a Republican for the Third Congressional District of Iowa. Grandanette, 61, has provided decades of service in the Des Moines community as a teacher, coach, business owner and volunteer. “We need someone who will lead […]

From Press Release   The Iowa National Guard regrets to announce the death of Senior Airman Drew Bellairs, 20, of Osage, Iowa. Bellairs drowned while swimming at Marbo Cave, Mangilao, Guam on Saturday, July 25. Bellairs, a member of the Maintenance Group, 185th Air Refueling Wing, Iowa Air National Guard […]

From Press Releases   Iowa Gov. Terry E. Branstad, as the commander-in-chief of the Iowa National Guard, today authorized Maj. Gen. Timothy Orr to strengthen current security measures and arm additional personnel at facilities under his purview, at the Adjutant General’s discretion, while he continues to assess security at National […]

From Press Release   Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad ordered flags in Iowa will be lowered to half-staff Tuesday, July 21, until Monday, July 27, at 8 a.m., to honor the five soldiers killed in the terrorist attack at military facilities last week in Chattanooga, Tenn. President Barack Obama also issued […]

Typically, we publish our new projections on Monday, but with the situation that developed at the Family Leadership Summit over the weekend, we wanted to see how the first polls following the event were impacted. The polls have reacted in a mixed manner for Donald Trump, and few other candidates […]

Following today’s release of a second video that shows a Planned Parenthood official negotiating the sale of body parts from aborted babies, The Iowa Statesman specifically asked Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad’s spesman, Jimmy Centers, if the governor intends to put a stop to taxpayer-funded abortions. In response, Centers said, “There […]

This morning, Republican presidential candidate U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz released a video telling the story of Dick and Betty Odgaard, the Iowa couple who recently had to shut down their business, Gortz Haus, as a result of the Iowa Civil Rights Commission’s efforts to force them to host a same-sex […]

Every time someone has criticized Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, he has swung back — hard. So, when the Des Moines Register’s Editorial Board stated The Donald should exit the race, it’s hard to imagine they didn’t expect a response. Boy, did they get one. “I am not at all […]

From Press Release   U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) secured the inclusion of tax incentives for wind energy, biodiesel and cellulosic ethanol in the bipartisan tax extenders bill the Finance Committee will consider on Tuesday.  The bill also contains long-time Grassley-sponsored provisions on tax deductions for higher education tuition and school supplies […]

By The Iowa Statesman   It’s safe to say there are few who weren’t outraged after viewing the video of a top Planned Parenthood official detailing how the organization sells the organs and body parts of aborted babies to be used in scientific research. And now, a wide-ranging group of […]

From Press Release   Governor Terry E. Branstad today announced appointments to Iowa’s boards and commissions. The following individuals’ appointments are effective July 16, unpaid, and are not subject to Iowa Senate confirmation.   Prison Industries Advisory Board Jennifer Foster, Des Moines   Mississippi River Parkway Planning Commission Martin Graber, […]

By the Iowa Public Information Board   The Iowa Supreme Court ruled in April 1988 that under a 1984 amendment to Chapter 22 public agencies can make job applications confidential. In City of Sioux City v. Greater Sioux City Press Club, 421 N.W.2d 895 (Iowa 1988), a five-member panel of […]

As is usually the case in presidential politics, especially this early in the race, a lot has happened in the past week, even if the heads have been dominated by one or two particular candidates. The bottom-dwellers really haven’t done much to improve their standing, and it seems unlikely any […]

From Press Release   Gov. Terry Branstad and Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds today announced that six communities are in the second round of sites to achieve certification through the Iowa Economic Development Authority certified site program. These six sites are located in the communities of Cedar Rapids, Davenport, Norwalk, Marion, Mason […]

From Press Release   Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds today was named chair of the National Lieutenant Governors Association at the group’s annual meeting in Indianapolis, IN. Reynolds, a second-term lieutenant governor, has previously served as chair-elect, treasurer, and chair of International Relations Committee and the Policy Resolutions Committee of the […]

From Press Release   Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump announced Thursday three Iowa co-chairs: Colonel Brian Miller from Sioux City, and Tana Goertz, and Richard “Dick” Thornton, both from Des Moines. Tana Goertz appeared in season 3 of “The Apprentice” and was the runner-up in the season finale.  Goertz has […]

From Press Release   U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa today made the following comment after Gov. Terry Branstad’s request for a Presidential Disaster Declaration to assist with the impact of the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza was denied. “I’m disappointed that Governor Branstad’s request was denied by the Obama Administration.  […]

By The Iowa Statesman   In a statement to press yesterday afternoon, Republican presidential candidate and former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee railed against “Democrat policies that have created sanctuary cities.” He reinforced the need to “address the growing problems with illegal immigration.” He also pointed out the recent murder of […]

From Press Release   Iowa Senate Minority Leader Bill Dix (R-Shell Rock) said Tuesday Senate Republicans will not support a petition calling for a special session to substantially increase the state budget. He issued the following statement, which said “puts an end to the discussion” on the topic of a […]

In politics, there are two ways to move up the food chain: money and power. Those with either will do well; those with both are in control. In presidential politics, however, the commodities are money and votes. In the run-up to the 2016 Iowa Caucus, conventional wisdom says there are […]

By The Iowa Statesman   Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad this morning urged Iowans to travel in-state this summer, announcing several travel deals have been arranged by the Iowa Tourism Office with nearly 70 destinations in the state. He and Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds said the money-saving deals found at traveliowa.com/deals […]

From Press Release   Republican presidential candidate and former U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum announced this morning that one of the key figures in his 2012 Iowa Caucus-winning team, senior advisor for Iowa Cody Brown, is returning to lead his 2016 efforts in the first-in-the-nation caucus state. “Our campaign is proud […]

From Press Release   Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad to action on 14 bills Thursday, representing the conclusion of bill action resulting from the 2015 legislative session.  He had until Monday to consider those bills.   Budget Overview: General Fund appropriations in Fiscal Year 2016 are $7.17 billion. PreK-12 Funding totals […]

From Press Release   Iowa Governor Terry Branstad announced Wednesday several appointments to Iowa’s boards and commissions. The following individuals’ appointments are effective July 1, are unpaid, and are not subject to Iowa Senate confirmation. •  •  • Council on Agricultural Education: Larry Marek, Riverside Iowa Arts Council: Heidi Pierson, […]

By The Iowa Statesman   In a press release from The Family Leader this afternoon, a letter signed by nine Republican Iowa legislators was unveiled, pledging to “protect Natural Law.” Republicans control 81 of the 150 seats in both chambers of the General Assembly. It is not clear how many […]

From Press Release   Iowa Governor Terry Branstad today issued a proclamation of disaster emergency for 18 counties in response to recent severe weather. The governor’s proclamation allows state resources to be utilized to respond to and recover from the effects of severe storms and an EF 1 tornado that […]

From Press Release   Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad today announced that he has named Iowa Department of Education deputy director Ryan Wise as the new director of the department. Wise, 39, will take the position on July 1, 2015, as current director Brad Buck transitions to a new position as […]

From Press Release   Iowa Gov. Terry E. Branstad today announced he has named current assistant director of the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy (ILEA) Judy Bradshaw as the director of the academy effective tomorrow, July 1. Bradshaw, 56, was appointed as current director Arlen Ciechanowski retires from the Academy effective […]