Latest news with #CelebrateIowa'sOutdoorsDay
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
State Sen. Sarah Trone Garriott launches congressional campaign in Iowa's 3rd District
Sen. Sarah Trone Garriott speaks at the Celebrate Iowa's Outdoors Day March 20, 2025 in the rotunda of the Iowa State Capitol. (Photo by Cami Koons/Iowa Capital Dispatch) State Sen. Sarah Trone Garriott announced Monday she will run as a Democratic candidate for Iowa's 3rd Congressional District. Currently, the 3rd District is represented by U.S. Rep. Zach Nunn, a Republican who has held the seat since defeating former U.S. Rep. Cindy Axne, a Democrat, in the 2022 election. The Iowa House seat, covering much of the Des Moines metropolitan area and much of of central and southern Iowa, is expected to be one of the most competitive districts in the 2026 general election. Trone Garriott, currently representing West Des Moines in the Iowa Senate, said in a video announcing her campaign she was well-suited to run for the seat because of her track record winning in competitive state legislative races. 'I'm no stranger to tough fights,' Trone Garriott said. 'I'm the only Iowa Democrat who flipped two seats from red to blue, then won a district that went to Trump in 2024. I know how to win, and I know how to deliver for Iowans.' She was first elected to the Iowa Legislature in 2020, when she defeated Republican Scott Cirksena to represent Iowa State Senate District 22. In 2022, she defeated then-Senate President Jake Chapman to represent Senate District 14 after redistricting, and won a close race against GOP challenger Mark Hanson in 2024. Trone Garriott, a 46-year-old Lutheran pastor, said she would work in Congress to lower the costs of child care, health care and housing, as well as 'restoring the rights and freedoms lost in recent years.' She also criticized Nunn's time in Congress, saying 'Zach Nunn has failed us.' 'As Iowans struggle with higher costs, attacks on our personal freedoms and reckless cuts to our public schools, Zach Nunn is not showing up,' Trone Garriott said. 'He's not listening, and he's not working for us. Iowans know that I show up for all my constituents, and that I listen and that I speak out.' Emily Tuttle, a spokesperson with the National Republican Congressional Committee, the House Republicans' campaign arm, criticized Trone Garriott in a statement Monday. 'Out of touch Democrat Sarah Trone Garriott is another activist attempting to radicalize Iowa — pushing a dangerous, extreme agenda that would raise costs, allow men in girls' sports, and weaken public safety,' Tuttle said. 'Iowans want leaders who deliver commonsense results, and that's exactly why they'll send Zach Nunn back to Congress.' While Nunn has not officially announced a reelection campaign, he is expected to run for the seat again in 2026. He ruled out a run for governor last week in an interview on the WHO AM Simon Conway show, saying he is focused on his work in Washington, D.C., on issues like cutting taxes and securing the U.S. southern border. Nunn won in 2024 against Democrat Lanon Baccam with roughly 52% of the vote. In the previous election, the race was rated as a 'tossup' by some political forecasters — Sabato's Crystal Ball now has the seat, alongside Iowa's 1st Congressional District currently represented by Republican U.S. Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, listed as 'tossup' races heading into 2026. House Democrats' campaign arm, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, has highlighted Nunn's seat, as well as Miller-Meeks' and U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson's, as 'Districts in Play' in the upcoming midterm elections, areas where Democrats plan to focus their efforts to flip seats and potentially regain control of the U.S. House. 'Mariannette Miller-Meeks, Ashley Hinson, and Zach Nunn are running scared, and they should be,' DCCC Chair Suzan DelBene said in an April statement. 'From tanking the economy, gutting Medicaid, abandoning our veterans, to making everything more expensive, they've broken their promises to Iowans, and it's going to cost them their seats. The DCCC is already working to recruit authentic and battle-ready candidates in Iowa who reflect these districts and will work to better Iowans' lives, not line Elon Musk and their DC party bosses' pockets.' Trone Garriott is not the only Democrat expected to run in Iowa's 3rd District. Iowa House Minority Leader Jennifer Konfrst and Rep. Austin Baeth, D-Des Moines, have also said they are considering running for the seat, though Trone Garriott is the first to officially launch her campaign.
Yahoo
21-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Perry Principal Dan Marburger to receive posthumous award from Medal of Honor Recipients
WASHINGTON — The Congressional Medal of Honor Society on Thursday announced that Perry Principal Dan Marburger will be posthumously awarded the Citizen Honors Award by Medal of Honor Recipients. Bonobo at Ape Initiative in Des Moines has died A panel of Medal of Honor Recipients reviewed nominations from around the country and chose five individuals and one non-profit organization to receive the Citizen Honors Award, an award given to those who exemplify the ideals of the Medal of Honor — courage, sacrifice, integrity, commitment, citizenship, and patriotism. Perry Principal Dan Marburger was one of the five selected to receive the award for his brave and selfless actions during the January 4, 2024 shooting at Perry High School that resulted in the death of himself and sixth-grade student Ahmir Jolliff. The award ceremony will take place in Arlington, Virginia on March 25. Iowa News: Perry Principal Dan Marburger to receive posthumous award from Medal of Honor Recipients WHO 13 Farm Report: Thursday, March 20th Cyclones' Tamin Lipsey optimistic he will be available for first round of March Madness Drake star Bennett Stirtz's dad talks about his son's NCAA tournament debut Officials and advocates gather for Celebrate Iowa's Outdoors Day Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
20-03-2025
- Yahoo
Outdoor recreation in Iowa has an $8 billion annual economic output
Iowans gathered for Celebrate Iowa's Outdoors Day to champion outdoor recreation in Iowa. (Photo by Cami Koons/Iowa Capital Dispatch) Iowans gathered at the Iowa Capitol Thursday to celebrate the parks, trails and outdoor spaces across the state. The gathering was also intended to serve as a reminder to lawmakers that Iowans care about the outdoors and about preserving access to trails and public lands. Joe McGovern, president of Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation, encouraged attendees to think of the creek, park trail or family farm that was special to them and to bring those feelings into the crowded rotunda. 'Today, we want to choose joy,' McGovern said. 'We want to celebrate Iowa's outdoors and for all the great things that it brings to us.' Rep. Austin Baeth, D-Des Moines, said the outdoors gives Iowans a sense of commonality, which he said is 'sometimes sorely missing' at the State Capitol. 'Because we're Iowans, and we step out and look at the great sky above us, smell the air, feel the breeze, look at the trees, and that is where we feel at peace,' Baeth said. Baeth said the outdoors can't be taken for granted, and pointed at urban sprawl as a major contributor to Iowa's loss of prairie, wetland and forest habitats. 'If we don't do something and put our foot down, we're going to pave over this entire planet,' Baeth said. He encouraged attendees to remind legislators that the outdoors are a 'top priority' for Iowans. 'It's a top priority for our health, it's a top priority for our quality of life, it's a top priority for our economic development, and it's a top priority for investing in Iowa's future,' Baeth said. Adam Shirley, CEO of Iowa's County Conservation System, said outdoor recreation is Iowa's top source of tourism and accounts for $8 billion annually in economic output, according to a recent study. Shirley said state, county and city parks alone account for $3 billion of that, which is a big increase since the last time his organization did a study in 2012 and found parks had an economic output of less than $1 billion. 'Things have really amped up in Iowa,' Shirley said. Shirley said the study, which is not yet published, also found the trails, lakes and conservation sites create positive environmental impacts and health outcomes for Iowans. 'Our outdoor recreation and conservation efforts are not just about preserving Iowa's natural beauty, but are integral to its economic vitality and health,' Shirley said. Luke Hoffman, executive director of the Iowa Bicycle Coalition, said cycling and trails in Iowa have an economic impact that is on par with that of the top 50 industries for the state. This comes from a study published in January that found biking and trails have a $1.4 billion impact in the state. The figure accounts for tourism, trail maintenance, jobs and Iowa's more than 80 brick and mortar bike shops. 'It's in our life blood, it's part of who we are, it's part of what makes us great as a state,' Hoffman said. Rep. Bobby Kaufmann, R-Wilton, said at every town hall, or community event he has done in the 10 years as a lawmaker, someone brings up the need to fund the natural resources and outdoor recreation trust fund. The trust was established in 2010 via a constitutional amendment that had more than 60% approval at the ballot box, to fund parks, trails, water resources, conservation efforts and natural areas in the state. The trust, however, has not had any allocations or withdrawals to date. 'The people spoke overwhelmingly, and we need to get this done,' Kaufmann said. Sen. Dan Dawson, R-Council Bluffs, said he tries to think of tax policy, as chair of the Ways and Means Committee, not just in terms of dollars and cents, but also to make a better state. 'If we're going to have a state that's going to grow … and keep people in here and have generational families continue to be here in Iowa, we have to find some of those place making opportunities as well,' Dawson said. The senator said he and his colleagues need to find a 'tax pathway' to do what Iowans have asked them to do. The state would have to raise its sales tax rate by three-eighths of a cent to fund the trust, but Iowa has not increased sales tax rates since 2008. Earlier this session, senators introduced a proposed constitutional amendment to repeal the natural resources trust fund and replace it with one that would provide property tax relief. Senate Joint Resolution 6 did not advance beyond its subcommittee hearing ahead of the legislative funnel deadline. Sen. Sarah Trone Garriott, D-West Des Moines, said Iowans consistently show up to make their voices heard when legislation threatens the trust fund, or the acquisition of public lands. 'You have the last word on all matters that happen in this building, and the power of your voice is significant,' Trone Garriott said. Senators advanced Senate File 553 to would restrict the Department of Natural Resources' ability to purchase land and grow the amount of public land in Iowa. Trone Garriott opposed the bill in committee, because she said constituents had flooded her inbox with messages on the importance of public lands. Trone Garriott said Iowa policy and budgets need to reflect the values and priorities of Iowans. 'We need to put our money where our hearts are,' Trone Garriott said. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Yahoo
20-03-2025
- Yahoo
Officials and advocates gather for Celebrate Iowa's Outdoors Day
DES MOINES, Iowa – As the weather gets nicer and the spring and summer months approach, many across Iowa will take advantage of the parks and trails around the state. A group of officials and advocates wants to make sure people can continue to do that. March 20th is Celebrate Iowa's Outdoors Day, and an event will be held at the Iowa State Capitol to give those in the community the opportunity to show support and enjoy the information and activities being presented. Honor Flight to take off with Des Moines Veterans on board A press conference is scheduled for 7:45 a.m. at the Capitol Rotunda highlighting the economic importance of Iowa's natural environment. Event organizers say that two studies have found that billions of dollars in the state come from tourism connected to outdoor recreation and cycling. A breakfast is scheduled after the press conference. Then, several events throughout the morning will highlight Iowa's parks, trails, wildlife, soil, and water. One event will even explain how to score a deer. The Celebrate Iowa's Outdoors event is free and will take place from 7:45 a.m. until noon Thursday. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
