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Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Small business owners urge Iowa's congressional leaders to end the ‘chaotic' tariffs
Historic Valley Junction in West Des Moines on June 3, 2025. (Photo by Cami Koons/Iowa Capital Dispatch) Small business owners and farmers are already feeling the increased costs and decreased consumer purchasing power resulting from foreign tariffs imposed at the federal level. During a Tuesday press conference in West Des Moines' historic Valley Junction, local business owners said they placed orders in January for holiday products that are becoming more expensive by the day as manufacturers and even local creators have to increase prices due to the additional tariffs. Val Voicek, the owner of Bing's, a store in the business shopping district, said one of her best-selling products, Nee Doh, a squishy sensory toy, has jumped from $5.95 at the beginning of the year to $6.95 now. Some orders, including her holiday order for the popular product, have been canceled because, as she said, the company has 'priced themselves out of the market.' SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Voicek said that means kids aren't spending their allowances on these toys as readily, and adult shoppers are holding off on extra purchases when they come in the store to shop. 'I've been in business for eight years, and this time is really uncertain for us,' Voicek said. 'It's even harder than COVID, because it's something that people and politicians in Washington could make a difference and take care of right now, but instead, we're left in our communities trying to figure it out on our own.' Voicek and Meredith Wells, another Valley Junction business owner, said about 70% to 80% of their inventories are imported products. Wells said for the orders she has already placed for the holiday season, vendors have warned her could cost 10% to 30% more to account for the associated tariffs throughout the supply chain. Wells said she tries to buy from local producers to stock her store, MoMere, but most local producers source packaging and other materials overseas and are similarly impacted. 'The truth is, we're not a big corporation, we can't absorb these added costs,' Wells said. 'We run on tight budgets, and every disruption cuts deeper. These tariffs aren't being paid by foreign governments, they're being paid by small businesses like ours, and ultimately, by our customers.' Aaron Lehman, president of Iowa Farmers Union said the tariffs and the ever-changing uncertainty are also having an impact on Iowa farmers. 'We're seeing falling prices for what we grow — and, on the other hand, farmers see higher prices for what we have to purchase, like fertilizer and other inputs that have to be imported into this country,' Lehman said. 'Farmers already have few choices in the marketplace, and a chaotic trade policy makes a bad situation even worse.' Lehman said the tariffs also disrupt farmers' established foreign trade relationships, because American farmers can no longer be seen as a 'reliable' country to buy from. The trickle-down effect is that farmers put off equipment upgrades, which hurt ag-adjacent industries. He said it also means farmers delay a transition to the next generation, even though the average age of a farmer keeps going up and up. In some cases, it could even mean the end of a family farm, he said. 'We need to demand better from our elected leaders,' Lehman said. 'Iowa members of Congress need to speak loudly about the impact here on the ground, in our fields and in our communities. They need to demand that Congress should have a say in fair trade policy.' Lehman said U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley has made some comments in favor of this action, but that there is 'not enough momentum.' Lehman said foreign trade policy needs to prioritize fair trade, build relationships over time and allow farmers, and businesses, to import what they need. 'A well thought out, reasonable trade policy can include a targeted tariff and be quite effective to help farmers and workers,' Lehman said. 'But a chaotic trade policy that uses tariffs and that, in a way, puts farmers at the front lines of a retaliatory tariff, makes no sense at all.' SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Yahoo
10 hours ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Iowa health care center ends gender-affirming care for adult transgender patients
Primary Health Care in Iowa has ended hormone replacement therapy for adult transgender patients, according to several sources. (Photo by Zach Sommers for Iowa Capital Dispatch) A federally funded health care center in central Iowa has terminated core care for its transgender patients for fear of losing federal funding, four sources have confirmed. In a letter sent to transgender patients receiving hormone replacement therapy, and obtained by the Iowa Capital Dispatch, Primary Health Care stated in February it would no longer provide hormone replacement therapy care '(d)ue to a recent Executive Order restricting use of federal grant funds from being used for gender-affirming care.' PHC in the letter told patients that should the health center be 'out of compliance' with the order, it would risk losing 'critical' and 'significant' funding. A former PHC employee, who spoke with the Iowa Capital Dispatch on the condition of anonymity, said PHC's executive team told employees the health center risked 'losing millions of dollars in federal grant funding for the homeless support services' if it continued gender-affirming care. The Iowa Capital Dispatch granted anonymity because the former employee feared potential repercussions from PHC. A transgender advocate and another person with knowledge of the change, both of whom spoke to Iowa Capital Dispatch on the condition they not be identified, also confirmed that PHC had ended gender-affirming care. Primary Health Care is a federally qualified health center, which means it receives funding from the federal government through the Health Resources and Services Administration under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. FQHCs were created in the early 1990s to serve as safety net providers. They care for underserved populations. PHC is one of 14 in the state. Representatives of Primary Health Care and Iowa Primary Care Association, which provides broad support for Iowa's FQHCs, did not respond to repeated questions that were posed to executives, board members, and physicians during multiple weeks of outreach. The former employee said staff at PHC were 'begging' the executive team to figure out different funding methods for the clinic in order to keep providing gender-affirming care. 'The basis of Primary Health Care and the Project is the queer community … and how could we possibly continue to be that if we're telling part of that population that (they) don't belong (at PHC)?' the former employee said. Only one other federally qualified health center in Iowa responded when asked whether other care centers were following PHC's lead in terminating care for transgender patients. Chad Wolbers, chief executive officer at Crescent Community Health Center in Dubuque, said that's not happening at his health centers. When asked if Crescent Community currently has transgender patients, Wolbers said, 'Yes we do. We take care of all that present to us in need of care.' A principal with FQHC Associates, a consulting firm for FQHCs nationally, acknowledged the confusion over federally funded health care centers' ability to provide gender-affirming care to patients. Steve Weinman pointed to two executive orders President Donald Trump signed in the early days of his administration. One executive order deals with stopping transition care for children and teenagers through 18 years of age. The other executive order, which Trump signed the day he took office, is meant to 'defend women's rights' and 'recognize women are biologically female, and men are biologically male.' In doing so, the Trump administration takes aim at gender ideology and the 'false claim' of being able to change one's sex. Through that lens, the executive order directs agencies to 'end the Federal funding of gender ideology' and that 'Federal funds shall not be used to promote gender ideology.' The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services told the Iowa Capital Dispatch that less than two weeks after the signing of that executive order, the Health Resources and Services Administration sent an email to its federal funds recipients that they must stop their programs related to 'gender ideology' for 'people aged 19 and younger.' Five days later, HRSA sent another email to tell recipients its previous 'notification had been rescinded.' HHS told the Iowa Capital Dispatch that 'Health centers continue to provide care to Americans who face challenges in accessing quality healthcare.' When asked why PHC still moved to stop gender-affirming care when the federal agency told FQHCs to ignore its previous mandate, the former employee at PHC said that's 'the big question, and that's what staff wanted to know. Why? Nothing is law…The only thing that we were being told is that they were scared to lose the federal funding that they had. Which, the amount of federal funding that they get for homeless support is a huge chunk.' State Rep. Aime Wichtendahl, a Democrat of Hiawatha and the first transgender legislator elected to Iowa's Legislature, said PHC's decision to terminate hormone replacement therapy care is 'deeply disappointing.' She said 'an executive order is not law. It is not force of law. And what the Trump administration is doing, withholding federal funds, is a violation of both the law and funds that Congress has appropriated. 'If the federal pressure has been removed, then they should immediately restore services and health care to trans patients. There is no justification for cutting off access to health care,' Wichtendahl said. One patient who said she received hormone replacement therapy care at PHC's University Avenue location said she felt 'like all hell was breaking loose' when she learned about PHC's decision. 'It felt like the sanctuary that I had was kind of just crumbling beneath me. It was quite heart wrenching because I do love going to my doctor.' The patient requested to remain anonymous. She said her provider at PHC was also emotional about the decision to terminate hormone replacement care. The former employee echoed that and said, 'everyone seemed to be pretty emotional about the decision that had been made.' Not only was PHC stopping gender-affirming care, but the former employee claimed staff also had to remove or cross-out pronouns on their ID badges and business cards. The messaging around PHC's decision to end gender-affirming care was carefully managed, according to the former employee. The executive team at PHC handed staff a script with suggested responses to likely questions that patients or people wanting to establish care may ask. There were at least six potential questions and corresponding answers, according to a staff handout the Iowa Capital Dispatch reviewed. PHC's decision, made at the same time as Republican legislative efforts to roll back gender identity protections in the Iowa Civil Rights Act weighed heavily on both the former employee and the patient. 'It's such a common thing for trans people to not get ample HRT care, as well as HIV care. Not having good resources for that, it just really sucks,' said the patient. Wichtendahl said now is the time for the transgender community to make its voices heard 'and say you're not taking away our health care.' 'We will make that demand that they restore those services,' she said. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
J.D. Scholten launches run after U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst's statement on Medicaid
Democratic state Rep. J.D. Scholten launched his campaign for U.S. Senate June 2, 2025 following U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst's comments on Medicaid cuts. (Photos via Robin Opsahl/Iowa Capital Dispatch and Iowa PBS livestream) Iowa Rep. J.D. Scholten, D-Sioux City, launched a run to challenge U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst Monday in the wake of her remarks at a town hall that garnered national backlash from Democrats and health care advocates. Ernst made her controversial remark, 'we are all going to die,' at a Parkersburg town hall Friday after a person in the crowd shouted 'people will die' as she was discussing funding cuts to Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The cuts are included in the 'big, beautiful' budget reconciliation bill passed by the U.S. House in May. Though Ernst told the crowd there would likely be changes to the bill from the Senate, she supported the cuts that 'make sure that those that are not eligible by the federal standard for Medicaid are not receiving Medicaid.' Ernst posted an 'apology' video Saturday after she drew national criticism for her response. Filmed in a cemetery, Ernst posted a video on Instagram where she sarcastically said she wanted to 'sincerely apologize for a statement that I made yesterday at my town hall.' 'I made an incorrect assumption that everyone in the auditorium understood that, yes, we are all going to perish from this earth,' Ernst said in the video. 'So I apologize, and I'm really, really glad that I did not have to bring up the subject of the tooth fairy as well.' She recommended 'for those that would like to see eternal and everlasting life, I encourage you to embrace my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.' The comments prompted Scholten, a professional baseball pitcher for the Sioux City Explorers and state legislator, to launch his campaign for U.S. Senate. In a video posted Monday, Scholten said he 'wasn't planning on doing this right now, but I just can't sit on the sidelines' following Ernst's comments. 'Cutting vital services to give bigger tax breaks to billionaires isn't just bad policy, it's theft from people like you and me,' Scholten said. 'Maybe it sounds crazy to run against an insider with enough arrogance to laugh at her constituents, but I've ran hard races before.' Scholten ran twice for Iowa's 4th Congressional District seat, in 2018 and 2020. Though he lost both elections, he was short by an unexpectedly tight margin — losing 47% to 50% to former U.S. Rep. Steve King in 2018 in the longtime conservative stronghold. In 2020, backlash against King for inflammatory comments made on issues like abortion exemptions and white nationalism led to his primary defeat by U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra, who currently holds the seat. The Democratic state lawmaker said he is running to tackle wealth inequality and improve America's health care systems. 'I fundamentally believe that we deserve more than a GoFundMe broken healthcare system, a JBS food system and Dollar General economy,' Scholten said. 'Ultimately, this race is not about Joni Ernst, and it's not about me. It's about the people in Iowa who deserve better: Better representatives who fight against the billionaire elites and special interests who hurt us.' Nathan Sage, a Mason City Democrat, and Scholten are currently the only Democrats who have announced their bids for the seat. However, more Democratic challengers are expected to join the field, including Iowa Sen. Zach Wahls, D-Coralville. Wahls released a statement Friday criticizing Ernst's comments, saying Iowa 'need leaders who will fight for us, not gut health care funding that over 700,000 Iowans rely on.' 'It is of course true that we are all going to die, but our Senators shouldn't be the ones killing us,' Wahls said. National Democrats were quick to respond to Ernst's comments, saying it further proved that Republicans are aware the Medicaid cuts will lead to preventable deaths. Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin made a statement denouncing Ernst's video Saturday. 'Thoughts and prayers have a new meaning for the Republican Party with Joni Ernst doubling down on her cruel words,' Martin said. 'It is immoral and un-Christian to do nothing to prevent people from dying but unfortunately, Trump, Ernst, and the Republican Party are hellbent on putting their own constituents at risk.' Iowa's junior U.S. senator is far from the only Republican facing backlash for their support of the budget reconciliation bill that includes substantial federal funding cuts to public assistance programs. GOP members of Congress nationwide have faced fiery crowds at public events for months, met by shouts and jeers from constituents upset about actions taken by Elon Musk's U.S. DOGE Service and potential cuts to public assistance programs including Medicaid as well as veterans' benefits and Social Security. Several Iowans who depend on Medicaid for themselves or their family also decried Ernst's comments. Patrick Kearns, a registered nurse at the Iowa City VA Medical Center who has two adult children with disabilities on Medicaid, said he wished he was surprised by Ernst's comments, but that he was not. Kearns said he believes Ernst's comments reflect how many Republicans view people on Medicaid, pointing to Elon Musk, a former special government employee in the Trump administration, making social media posts referring to people on federal aid programs as a 'parasite class.' 'She accidentally said the quiet part out loud … People are going to die, and why are we bothering to keep these folks alive?' Kearns said. 'And I mean, (t0 say) that I'm horrified by it is pretty mild, but I guess the worst part of it is that I'm not surprised.' Ernst and other Republicans have presented the changes to Medicaid as a means to stop waste, fraud and abuse in the system, and limit the public health coverage to people in need through restrictions like work requirements. At the Friday town hall, Ernst pointed to 'illegals that are receiving Medicaid benefits' and unemployed adults who do not have disabilities as the people being removed from Medicaid through the GOP tax and spending bill. 'What we do need to do is make sure that those that are part of a vulnerable population have access to Medicaid and receive those full benefits,' Ernst said. 'So what we're trying to do is strengthen Medicaid by directing the dollars to the people that actually meet the requirements of the program.' Kearns said he doesn't believe the people Ernst says are abusing the Medicaid system exist, though he does think there is major fraud and misuse of Medicaid funds happening through large health provider and insurance companies. The Medicaid cuts will not target entities or individuals actually abusing the system, Kearns said, but instead push people in need to drop out of the system by adding new barriers in getting coverage. Kearns said he and his wife are 'relatively savvy' through education and years of working in the Medicaid system — but that 'every time one of those quarter-inch thick envelopes arrives from from the state, we're like, 'oh my God.'' Receiving Medicaid is already an arduous process for the people it is intended to serve — and adding new requirements will only make getting care more difficult for these populations, he said. 'The idea that somebody that's able-bodied and able to work would put themselves through the process to enroll in Medicaid, I think it's laughable,' Kearns said. '… Folks that have disabilities or that have severe medical problems that necessitate them going into long-term care or whatever else — they need social workers to help marshal them through that system. This is not something that you know the general person off the street can do.' SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Landowners urge Reynolds to pass bill limiting eminent domain for CO2 pipelines
Opponents to carbon sequestration pipelines gathered outside of the Iowa Capitol Oct. 8, 2024. (Photo by Cami Koons/Iowa Capital Dispatch) Gov. Kim Reynolds has just two weeks to either sign or veto a controversial bill that would impact carbon dioxide pipelines in Iowa. On a Friday press call, landowners urged Reynolds to uphold Iowa and GOP values around property rights by signing the bill into law. House File 639 advanced from the Senate May 13, following four years of effort from a group of landowners and House lawmakers. The bill would do a number of things including require carbon sequestration projects prove they are a common carrier, in order to use eminent domain. The legislation, and landowner support, comes largely in response to a proposed carbon sequestration pipeline project, the Summit Carbon Solutions pipeline, that would connect to nearly 60 ethanol plants and pipe the sequestered carbon dioxide through Iowa and surrounding states to underground storage in North Dakota. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Those opposed to the project say a private company should not be given the right to condemn agricultural land. South Dakotans recently codified that opinion with a law that specifically bans CO2 pipelines from the right of eminent domain, which has caused Summit to reevaluate its path through the state. Marty Maher, an affected landowner from Montgomery County, urged Reynolds to uphold the Iowa Republican platform, which opposes the use of eminent domain by the use of a private party or for-profit entity. 'Do party platforms mean anything to the elected Republican officials, or are platforms just feel-good projects for the party faithful?' Maher asked. Maher said the bill 'levels the playing field' between landowners, neighbors and the utilities commission. 'I am sure that you want to be remembered as the governor that supported common sense property rights in Iowa and leveled the playing field for all residents in the state for many years to come,' Maher said, addressing his comments to the governor. Mary Powell, a Shelby County landowner, shared a similar sentiment and recalled times the governor quoted Iowa's motto, 'Our liberties we prize, and our rights we will maintain.' 'Like many Iowans, I appreciate Gov. Reynolds stating the Iowa motto is a belief and not empty words, but Iowans need action,' Powell said. 'We need Gov. Reynolds to sign 639 into law.' Reynolds said last week on Iowa Press she was meeting with stakeholders on both sides to determine her stance on the bill. Another Shelby County landowner, Cindy Hansen, said on the Friday call that she and other landowners met with the governor and her advisory team Thursday evening to share their point of view. Hansen said the governor did not ask any questions or give an indication as to how she would act, but did listen to the landowners' perspective. The bill would also increase the insurance requirements for CO2 pipeline operators to cover any accidental or intentional discharges and any insurance rate increases landowners face because of the pipeline. The bill additionally requires Iowa Utilities Commissioners to be present at all hearings and expands the scope of who may intervene in IUC proceedings. Meghan Sloma, said on Friday's call that as a neighbor to the pipeline, she was not allowed to testify in the IUC hearings because it didn't go through her property, even though she would be 'very much affected' by the pipeline. 'I think that's very important, that the right that I have for my voice to be heard regarding what happens to my land, that it be protected,' Sloma said. 'To me, it is just basic fairness and equality.' Sloma said while the pipeline project brought up the need for this legislation, the bill is not 'anti pipeline' or 'anti progress.' Opponents of the bill include farming organizations like Iowa Corn Growers Association and the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association, who argue the legislation would stop Iowa from entering the ultra-low carbon ethanol market. This loss of market, they argue, would in turn hurt Iowa farmers and the state's economy. IRFA also argued in a press conference last week, that the bill has a slew of 'unintended negative consequences.' SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Yahoo
4 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Iowa roads see decrease in fatal crashes at the start of ‘100 deadliest days of summer'
An Iowa State Patrol squad car parked at the State Capitol. (Photo by Kathie Obradovich/Iowa Capital Dispatch) Memorial Day 2025 kicked off what the Iowa State Patrol calls the '100 deadliest days of summer,' a period of time marked by an increase in teen driver crashes and fatalities. This time of year, from Memorial Day to Labor Day, is when many younger drivers are hitting the roads for the first time and others may be indulging in the holiday season. Law enforcement agencies, including the Iowa State Patrol, increased their presence on the roadways over the holiday weekend and noticed a continued pattern of decreasing fatal crashes over the past three years. 'Our focus is to make the roadways a safe and enjoyable experience,' said Sgt. Alex Dinkla, public information officer for Iowa State Patrol. 'This is one of those periods where that extra enforcement, we know, did pay off.' The state patrol arrested 21 individuals for operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated and covered over 47 crashes across the state. The Iowa Department of Transportation reported two fatal accidents in the days leading up to Memorial Day. Buckle that seatbelt, put the phone down and always remember, if you're gonna go out and have some alcohol, to get that sober driver. – Sgt. Alex Dinkla, public information officer for Iowa State Patrol Many of the crashes occurred at intersections around the state. Dinkla noted that drivers often forget the blind spot on both sides of their car, between their windshield and door window. These blind spots can obscure entire vehicles from the driver's view. Dinkla recommends drivers check two or three times before crossing an intersection to ensure they spot any threats. In 2023, the DOT reported four fatal crashes in the days before the holiday, one of which was attributed to alcohol. In 2024, there were three fatal crashes. This year, the number dropped to two. Dinkla said that while the patrol doesn't 'want to call that a success because that's still two fatalities,' it's evident the extra presence and effort to educate the public is making a difference. Going forward, Dinkla said, the ISP plans to utilize their Air Wing Unit, a unit of five pilots and aircrafts primarily used for traffic enforcement, more during other holidays and times of peak travel. Founded in 1956, the unit currently consists of three Cessna 182 aircraft, one Cessna 206 and one SR-22 CIRUSS. Two of the aircraft have thermal imaging equipment to aid in missing-person cases, fugitive location and specialized surveillance. 'None of us know when we may or may not be involved in a fatal crash,' he said. 'Buckle that seatbelt, put the phone down and always remember, if you're gonna go out and have some alcohol, to get that sober driver.'
