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Iowa lawmakers debate Medicaid rules, unemployment as they aim to end 2025 session

3 days ago | albianews.com | Robin Opsahl |Brooklyn Draisey

The Iowa Capitol on Feb. 25, 2025. (Photo by Kathie Obradovich/Iowa Capital Dispatch)Lawmakers could wrap up the 2025 session as early as Wednesday – but there are still several spending and final policy measures left on the chambers’ calendars before legislators can head home. Before ending the session, lawmakers must approve the state’s budget, the collection of bills funding Iowa’s state departments, agencies as well as meeting other spending obligations.
Iowa puppy mills cited in national nonprofit’s annual report of violators

3 days ago | albianews.com | Clark Kauffman

A dog at Wuanita Swedlund's kennels in Farmington, Iowa, as photographed by USDA inspectors. (USDA photo courtesy of Humane World for Animals)Iowa is again ranked near the top of the list in the annual “Horrible Hundred” tally of states with the most dog breeders and brokers cited by regulators.
Senate passes bill restricting eminent domain for carbon pipelines

4 days ago | albianews.com | Cami Koons

Rep. Steven Holt, R-Denison, hugs landowner and activist Kathy Stockdale after the Iowa Senate passed legislation dealing with the use of eminent domain in carbon capture pipeline projects the night of May 12, 2025. (Photo by Robin Opsahl/Iowa Capital Dispatch)Iowa senators voted 27-22 late Monday to pass a bill to limit the ability of carbon sequestration pipelines to use eminent domain, sending it to the governor’s desk after a drawn-out debate.
First American pontiff says ‘build bridges’ to peace

1 week ago | albianews.com | Christen Smith

(The Center Square) – The first American pontiff in the 2,000-year history of the Roman Catholic Church offers a simple vision for the future: build bridges and receive each other with open arms. It’s a message grown from the roots of 69-year-old Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost’s consecration to the Order of St. Augustine, a 4th century bishop revered for his blend of contemplative prayer and public ministry.
Iowa House passes grain indemnity bill

1 week ago | albianews.com | Cami Koons

Harvested corn is piled near Lake City in western Iowa. (Photo by Jared Strong/Iowa Capital Dispatch)Bills updating the grain indemnity program and allowing the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship clean titles on livestock they take over, advanced Thursday from the Iowa House.
House lawmakers propose bipartisan reform to help farmers amid mass deportations

1 week ago | albianews.com | Tim Clouser

(The Center Square) – As farmers grapple with the impact of mass deportations, federal lawmakers proposed a bill on Wednesday to reform the H-2A visa program for those seeking a legal agricultural workforce. Congress established the visa program in 1952 to temporarily allow foreign farmworkers to work in the United States. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, of hired farmworkers had no authorization to work in the country from 2020 to 2022, down from 55% from 1999 to 2001.
Iowa House and Senate Republicans reach budget agreement

1 week ago | albianews.com | Robin Opsahl

The rotunda in Iowa Capitol as seen May 8, 2025. (Photo by Robin Opsahl/Iowa Capital Dispatch)Majority-party lawmakers in the Legislature have reached a budget agreement, House Republicans announced Thursday, signaling the 2025 legislative session is nearing an end. In a news release, House and Senate Republicans released the spending figures from their budget agreement — a total of $9.425 billion in state appropriations for fiscal year 2026.
Baseball signed by Pope Francis to fetch thousands at auction

1 week ago | albianews.com | Ben Barry

By Ben BarryA baseball signed by Pope Francis is set to fetch up to $15,000 at auction during the conclave to decide the next pontiff. Randy Kaplan, a longtime collector from Long Island, New York, spent years trying to obtain "one of the rarest autographs in the world."During Pope Francis's 2015 visit to the US, Randy appealed to a high-ranking Vatican official, and a few months later, a package arrived from Vatican City.
Zookeeper hand raises baby gorillas in need

1 week ago | albianews.com | Lauren Beavis

By Lauren BeavisMeet the zookeeper who was a surrogate parent to baby gorillas in a UK first - and even had them stay in his home. Alan Toyne shared everything with newborn western lowlands Afia and Hasani - including his dining table, bed and family home. He even wore a string vest to replicate their gorilla fur, which the babies would hang onto “wherever he went”.
CASA of Missoula faces funding cuts affecting child advocacy

1 week ago | albianews.com | Ian Alvano

MISSOULA, Mont. – CASA of Missoula, which trains and appoints volunteers to support abused and neglected children in the court systems of Missoula and Mineral County, is facing a significant funding challenge. The organization recently experienced the abrupt cancellation of a national grant. Kate Morris, the development manager for CASA of Missoula, explained the impact of losing $12,000 from a $20,000 grant in late April. This loss also puts a $55,000 grant application for next year at risk.