(Iowa Capital Dispatch) – Members of the Iowa Board of Regents told the public Wednesday they are listening and slowing down the process of implementing new board policy relating to diversity, equity and inclusion in classroom instruction. Regents said whatever policy is eventually approved might look different than its current form.

According to the Iowa Capital Dispatch, Regent David Barker said a proposed policy barring universities from requiring students to take courses with “substantial content that conveys DEI or CRT (critical race theory)” to earn their credentials, with pathways to certain course exceptions, “will be an important first step” in preventing the teaching of controversial ideas as fact and raising confidence in higher education once again.

The board discussed the policy in its June 11 meeting, the first of two readings ahead of a vote for approval in July.

Under the proposed policy, students could not be required to take courses with “substantial content” covering areas “as primary principals” that include topics like antiracism, allyship, microaggressions, types of biases or privileges, social justice, critical race theory and systematic oppression, marginalization or gender theory, among others.

Mark Braun, executive director of the board of regents, acknowledged during discussion the vagueness behind the term “substantial,” but said board staff will work with the institutions to more clearly define it and demonstrate where it should apply as the policy is implemented. He emphasized that this policy would only apply to required courses and not electives.

“To a large extent, this will help highlight just how many academic programs do not require courses that meet the substantial standard,” Braun said.

Also included in the policy is an option for seeking exemption, Braun said, as the board understands some courses must include this content for different reasons. According to the policy draft, universities can submit which majors, minors and certificates should be exempted from the rules “each even-numbered year, no later than June 30.” The board must approve these requests.

Regent Christine Hensley and Barker said during the meeting they learned from the emails sent after the suggested policy was released by concerned parties, some of which Barker said were “a bit on the arrogant and pompous side” or “showed a misunderstanding of the policy.” However, what helpful information he said he received helped him determine that a better version of this first-draft policy could be developed.

The goal behind the policy is not to subdue a certain point of view, Barker said, but to prevent attempts on both sides of the political spectrum to present “contested, controversial ideas as settled fact.”

When the policy was first released, Hensley said the discussion this week was supposed to act as the first and second reading, which she said “lit a firestorm” in many people worried about the policy heading too quickly toward approval.

“I am a very, very strong proponent of when you have something that is controversial, and I would say that this has been controversial, it’s important that you take a pause — you push the pause button — you step back, and you take in information from the various groups out there,” Hensley said.

(Iowa Capital Dispatch) – Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds has signed legislation setting state appropriations for primary and secondary education for the next fiscal year, but item-vetoed a line providing funds to the University of Northern Iowa for out-of-state tuition changes with a vow to further work with the university next year.

Reynolds signed Senate File 647 alongside other policy and appropriations bills June 11, according to a governor’s office news release. Reynolds said in a veto letter she line-item vetoed a $1.5 million appropriation to UNI to provide in-state tuition for students coming from states bordering Iowa not because she doesn’t support the program, but because of how it was being implemented.

UNI originally requested $3 million for the tuition change, Reynolds said in the letter, a one-time allocation to launch the program before it became self-sustaining, but the legislation would provide $1.5 million in the upcoming fiscal year “with an expectation of ongoing funding.”

Questions also remained about how the program could impact current students who fall under this category, Reynolds said in the letter. UNI President Mark Nook told lawmakers this spring lowering tuition for students from contiguous states would help bring more of them to Iowa, where they would likely stay after graduation.

“I look forward to working with UNI next year to further develop the details of the program and see it launched,” Reynolds said in the letter.

DAVENPORT, Iowa (KWQC) – A Davenport man accused of neglecting his bedridden mother, causing her death, was given a deferred judgment and three years of probation on Friday. According to court documents, Jason Kelting pleaded guilty to felony neglect or abandonment of a dependent person in March.

Under the deal, his involuntary manslaughter and wanton neglect or nonsupport of a dependent adult charges were dismissed. The state also recommended against incarceration as part of the deal.

Kelting will have to serve three years of probation and make monthly payments on a civil penalty of $1,370 and a separate civil penalty of $1,000. As part of his probation, Kelting will have to get a mental health evaluation and complete any recommended treatment, stay employed, and follow any other terms set by his probation officer.

Kelting was arrested in February 2023 after police said he neglected his bedridden mother, causing her death.

(Updated; Radio Iowa) – Governor Kim Reynolds has signed a bill to regulate Pharmacy Benefit Managers — the P-B-Ms that negotiate with insurance companies, drug makers and pharmacies to set the price of medications for people with insurance coverage. Supporters say the bill will ensure pharmacies are properly reimbursed for filling prescriptions. Representative Brett Barker of Nevada, who is a pharmacist, says the regulations will stave off an avalanche of pharmacy closures. “The day we passed it in the House there were pharmacists in the gallery shedding tears of joy,” Barker says, “because it means that much for them to continue to serve their communities.”

Over 200 Iowa pharmacies have closed since 2014. More than 30 closed just last year. Barker says without the bill’s protections, many more were going to keep losing money filling prescriptions and go out of business. “There were dozens of pharmacies holding on this session to see if we could get something done this year and luckily we were able to,” Barker says. “so the governor signing this bill has saved access to pharmacies in this state.”

Governor Reynolds says P-B-Ms have had outsized power over which pharmacy patients may use and which medications they may receive. The new law forbids P-B-Ms from forcing patients to use mail-order pharmacies and it requires a nearly 11-dollar dispensing fee for each prescription filled at small pharmacies. Business groups say the law will add 340 MILLION dollars to the cost of private sector insurance plans next year and they urged the governor to veto thte bill. Bill backers say that hasn’t happened in other states with similar laws. Reynolds says her office will monitor how insurance premiums are affected and take steps to mitigate costs for private employers.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Atlantic Community School District’s Board of Education, this (Wednesday) evening received a report on costs associated with the District’s Insurance Renewal and Storm Protection. The information came from the District’s carrier, represented locally, by Kipp Harris. Later in the meeting they passed a resolution to join a consortium for a Storm Protection Fund.

In her report to the Board, Superintendent Dr. Beth Johnsen said District Maintenance Director Russell Peck received a cost estimate for the High School Roof Replacement project, which was $1.3-million dollars. That amount was in-line with the Engineer’s estimate.

District Finance Director Lisa Jones said those funds are available through the Local Option Sales Tax. The Board approved having Snyder and Associates soliciting a Request For Bids for the High School Roof Project. The current roof is close to 30-years old and has “Lived past its life expectancy,” according to Dr. Johnson.

Dr. Johnsen discussed with the Board a Facilities Master Plan created by SVPA Architects. The plan details $40-million dollars worth of proposed improvements/renovations. The Board was in agreement to proceed with the next steps in establishing a bond referendum for projects, as explained by Johnson.

Those steps will all have to happen within the next month, according to Johnsen. Later on during the action portion of their meeting, the Board approved bids for: Paint; Carpet; Fuel and a 12-passenger transit van. And, they approved the 2025-26 School Year Student Fees and Rates, which Superintendent Johnsen said are unchanged from the 2024-25 School Year.

And, they approved contracts with the Certified District Staff as presented.

The Board approved the resignations of:

• Alex Wilson – Special Ed Paraprofessional (retroactive to May 23, 2025)
• Gary Miller – Bus Driver (Retroactive to 5/30/25)
• Dexter Dobson, CTE Teacher (retroactive to 5/30/25)
• Audrey Farrington – Special Ed Paraprofessional (retroactive to 6/2/25)

They also approved the following Recommendations to Hire:

• Kay Schmidt – Summer Para for Voc. Rehab (20 hrs)
• Oran Perkins – Summer School Teacher (60 hrs)
• James Keller – KG Teacher, 25-26 School Year
• Summer Nutrition Hires
• Mark Andersen – HS Musical Director
• 25-26 Club Sponsors
• Elle Bryant – Transfer from WA Elem Custodian to MS Custodian.

(Des Moines, Iowa) – Officials with the Iowa Insurance Division’s Fraud Bureau said Wednesday, two Iowa City residents, 26-year-old Keelan France and 49-year-old Nicole Linderholm, have each been charged with Financial Exploitation of an Older Individual, a Class B felony that carries a maximum sentence of an indeterminate term not to exceed 25 years, following an investigation conducted by the Iowa Insurance Division’s Fraud Bureau.

The charges that are being prosecuted by the Johnson County Attorney’s Office, stem from a pattern of unauthorized spending and misuse of more than $500,000 of funds belonging to an elderly family member with diminished capacity. According to a criminal complaints related to France and Linderholm filed by the Iowa Insurance Division’s Fraud Bureau, the defendants allegedly used their positions of trust to gain access to the victim’s financial resources, diverting money for their own personal benefit that resulted in substantial financial losses for the victim, with ongoing risk to her remaining assets.

The defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Iowans are encouraged to report instances of senior financial exploitation and dependent adult abuse to the Iowa Insurance Division at 1-877-955-1212 and the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services at 1-800-362-2178.

Additional information for Iowans related to senior financial exploitation can be found at IowaFraudFighters.gov or at the Iowa Fraud Fighters’ “Stop the Scammers” events in various communities around Iowa.

(Creston, Iowa) –  The Union County Sheriff’s Office says a man from Creston suffered suspected minor/non-incapacitating injuries, Wednesday morning, when the cabless tractor he was driving that was pulling a hay trailer and rake, was struck by a semi tractor-trailer. The accident happened at around 10:15-a.m. in the 1300 block of Cherry Street Road. (Photos by Chuck Spinder/Creston FD Facebook page)

Authorities report a 1968 John Deere Tractor driven by 44-year-old Levi Buxton, of Creston, was traveling north and had begun to turn into 1331 Cherry Street, when a 2004 Freightliner semi driven by 27-year-old Derrick McLuckie, of Stratford, started to pass on the left, at the beginning of a posted, “No Passing” zone.

As the semi was attempting to overtake the tractor, it struck the back tire of the machine, which caused the gooseneck portion of the hay trailer to come off, and strike Buxton on his back. Buxton was transported by EMS Ambulance to the hospital in Creston.

A Union County Sheriff’s Deputy cited McLuckie for Unsafe Passing. The tractor was declared a total loss, with the damage estimated at $15,000. The semi, registered to McLuckie Trucking, LLC., from Harcourt, sustained $3,000 damage. Creston Fire officials say the semi’s fuel tank was ruptured, resulting in a diesel spill. The Creston Fire Department (CFD) provided temporary fuel confinement.

(Radio Iowa) – Governor Kim Reynolds has vetoed a bill that would have made it harder for Summit Carbon Solutions to seize land along the pipeline route from unwilling property owners. Reynolds says she respects both sides in the debate over the use of that eminent domain authority, but Reynolds says the bill is too broad and affects other types of energy infrastructure. The ethanol industry and the Iowa Corn Growers Association have been urging Reynolds to reject the legislation. Monte Shaw is with the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association.

“The governor did a really good job explaining there’s a lot of problems with this bill,” Shaw said. Shaw says the bill would have diminished Iowa’s ethanol industry as well as prospects for Iowa corn farmers.”Carbon capture and sequestration is the key to unlocking almost all of the new markets for biofuels demand and for corn demand,” Shaw said. House Speaker Pat Grassley, the top Republican in the House, has called for a special session of the legislature, to override the governor’s veto. Representative Bobby Kaufmann, a Republican from Wilton, helped craft the bill.

“Kim Reynolds has failed the state of Iowa. Kim Reynolds has soiled her legacy,” Kaufmann said, “and her legacy is now spitting in the face of landowners and being Bruce Rastetter’s errand girl.”Bruce Rastetter is the founder of Summit Carbon Solutions. Kaufmann says Reynolds has been steadfast in her defense of constitutional rights over her tenure as governor, and he’d expected her to sign the bill into law. “Clearly she has chosen special interests and Bruce Rastetter over private property rights,” Kaufmann said. “I vow today to work against and kill every single bill she comes up with because I no longer trust her judgement.”

Representative Steven Holt, a Republican from Denison, led House debate on each piece of pipeline-related legislation over the past few years.  “The governor had three years to weigh in on this,” Holt said. “The governor could have given us her suggestions. She continues to say she wants to protect landowner rights, but she’s done nothing in three years to do that. The landowners have pleaded to meet with her. She didn’t meet with them until recently. She’s had ample opportunity, like the Senate had, to weigh in and protect landowners and they didn’t, so I’m profoundly disappointed.”

Senate Republican Leader Jack Whitver says he supports the governor’s decision to veto the bill and he expects a majority of Senate Republicans would not be interested in any attempt to override her veto. Whitver says a significant majority of Senate Republicans support a better policy to protect landowner rights. Shaw, the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association’s executive director, says the industry is open to negotiations. “We stand ready to work with people who want to improve the system, but not kill the carbon capture project,” Shaw said, “and if people are wanting to do that, we stand ready.”

Reynolds says the debate has highlighted areas were real progress is possible. The governor says she wants to work with lawmakers to strengthen landowner protections, modernize permitting and respect private property.

(Atlantic, Iowa/FFA Advisor Eric Miller) – Each year the Southwest District and Iowa FFA officers plan and facilitate Chapter Officer Leadership Training (COLT) Conferences for FFA members in the Southwest district. Atlantic welcomed FFA chapters from all over the Southwest district on June 3, 2025. This year 196 members from 32 chapters from across Southwest Iowa participated in this unique leadership training experience.

While at Atlantic on Tuesday, district and state officers lead four interactive workshops for FFA Chapter leaders, many of which are officers, for the annual COLT Conference. The workshops facilitated were local FFA Chapter programs focused in the areas of advocating for the agriculture industry, connecting with stakeholders, recruiting for the local chapter, and working as a cohesive team. FFA leaders also received training relative to their specific officer duties within the local chapter.

Iowa FFA President, Chloe Zittergruen, stated, “COLT conference provides a chance for FFA members to learn more about their responsibility as a local leader and is a conference for members to meet and connect with state, district and other chapter officers.”

COLT conference programming is designed as a two-year rotation of local leaders training. The focus areas of next year’s program include agriculture literacy, time management, professionalism, and self-confidence. The goal is to engage FFA members in learning about the tools that would allow them to be successful in anything they are part of through high school and beyond. Atlantic FFA President Lauren Comes said, ““The day was a lot of fun. The officer team learned a lot about our responsibilities as officer and what we can do to improve our abilities in that area.”

COLT conference is made possible with support from Farmers Mutual Hail Insurance of Iowa through the Iowa FFA Foundation. Atlantic Bottling provided drinks for all of the participants as well.