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Yahoo
29-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Iowa's high school musical theater talent on display in Des Moines Thursday
DES MOINES, Iowa — Hundreds of central Iowa high school performers are completing final rehearsals ahead of Thursday night's Iowa High School Musical Theater Awards in downtown Des Moines. Des Moines Performance Arts has been all a buzz this week as 650 students from around the state have gathered for rehearsals at the Civic Center. The showcase and awards happen Thursday night and feature ensemble performances of the best vocalists in central Iowa schools singing together, and then about half the schools will perform excerpts of their high school musicals on the Civic Center stage. Gabe on the Go: Cuddling with goats in Cumming A musical director and a choreographer, both based in New York City, are here to work with the kids to prepare for the showcase. The program started in 2013 and has seen huge growth. 'When we started, we had nine schools in central Iowa. We've grown to be statewide with over 100 schools, more schools asking to join us, and we've become one of the largest programs of its kind in the country. And schools just keep telling us how valuable the feedback is and all the learning opportunities and how much showcase provides inspiration,' said Karoline Myers, DMPA Director of Education. The High School Theater Showcase is a ticketed event and is sold out. But you can watch the live stream on starting at 7:00 p.m. The showcase will also air on Iowa PBS in July. Awards and scholarships will be given at the end of the night for categories like best actor, vocalist, and dancer. And two students will win a 10-day trip and Broadway workshop in New York City to take part in a national High School Theater Showcase on Broadway later this summer. Those two students will be guests on Hello Iowa at the end of June. On Monday morning on Today in Iowa, we will feature some of the student performers and their directors in Scholastic Spotlight. Iowa's high school musical theater talent on display in Des Moines Thursday Gabe on the Go: Cuddling with goats in Cumming Sausage plant planned for Perry, 500 new jobs to be created Inside look at Final Four in Coolest Thing Made in Iowa Contest Forecast: Thursday raindrops, then heat Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Gov. Kim Reynolds says property taxes, not income taxes, will be focus in 2026
Gov. Kim Reynolds appeared May 23, 2025 on "Iowa Press." (Screenshot from Iowa PBS video) Gov. Kim Reynolds said Friday that eliminating Iowa's income tax may not be on the table before she leaves office — but that she plans to focus on reducing property taxes in the 2026 legislative session. In her public statement following the adjournment of the 2025 legislative session, Reynolds did not bring up income taxes as a goal for 2026. Instead, she highlighted her plans to work on 'reducing Iowans' property tax burden' next year. During an interview on 'Iowa Press,' moderator Kay Henderson of Radio Iowa asked Reynolds if she had abandoned the goal to end Iowa's income tax or planned to move on cutting both income and property taxes in 2026. Reynolds said, 'that would be aggressive.' SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX 'I want to create a foundation that when I do leave, the next Republican governor that sits in that chair will be able to continue to reduce the individual income tax rate,' Reynolds said. 'But I do need to focus on property taxes. That is what we hear about all the time.' Reynolds announced in April she will not seek reelection in the 2026 general election. During her tenure as governor, Reynolds has put a major focus on cutting taxes, particularly focusing on Iowa's income taxes. Iowa's individual income tax rate fell to a flat 3.8% rate in January following a law the governor signed in 2024 that sped up 2022 cuts to individual and corporate income taxes. While Reynolds has celebrated these reductions, she has also said in previous years that she wanted to go further and completely eliminate the state's income tax. At a Cato Institute forum in 2023, Reynolds said her goal was to 'get to zero individual income tax rate by the end of this second term.' The governor said in 2025, legislators had 'asked to take the lead' on property taxes, but that she planned to be more involved in this work and finding a solution to reduce property tax costs through discussions with local governments and other stakeholders over the summer. Republican legislative leaders, Sen. Dan Dawson, R-Council Bluffs and Rep. Bobby Kaufmann, R-Wilton, the Ways and Means Committee chairs in the Senate and House, had introduced a bill in 2025 to eliminate Iowa's 'rollback' system for calculating property taxes and instead move to a 'revenue-restricted' system that would limit most property tax levy rates to 2% growth each year. The proposal, which went through multiple iterations but failed to come to a floor vote, also included other measures intended to lower property taxes like a shift of $426 million in K-12 funding from property taxes to the state. Reynolds said she did not believe that shifting funding to the state necessarily would be the correct solution, as 'it's still taxpayer dollars' that would come from state taxes instead of local property taxes to back this K-12 funding. She said her focus on putting together a package to cut property taxes would involve looking at 'how we deliver services to our citizens.' She said it's not feasible for Iowa communities to have 'level of government that we have and expect the property taxes to go lower.' She said her discussions will involve ways Iowa can streamline government to cut costs, but will also likely involve changes to how Iowa local governments have operated in the past 40 years. 'It's disruptive, but that means people are going to probably be a little uncomfortable, and we'll have the conversation,' Reynolds said. 'And I'm not going to wait until January to have it. We're going to have it all summer as we're working on it.' Most of the governor's priorities, which she laid out during her Condition of the State address in January, were met before the 2025 session ended earlier this month. Measures like restricting cellphone use in classrooms, increasing medical residency slots and making changes to Iowa's rural health care system and backfilling some natural disaster aid for Iowa areas impacted by 2024 extreme weather all passed this session. When asked by moderators about the proposed elimination of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the federal agency that played a large role in Iowa's recovery efforts after the 2024 natural disasters, Reynolds said there still needs to 'be a partnership' with the federal government but that she sees areas for improvement in FEMA's response system. 'I'm telling you, it takes way too long, it's way too bureaucratic,' Reynolds said. 'You know, we've got people on the ground that can act quickly. We were able to stand up some really unique programs because they gave us the flexibility to do that. That's what states do, that's what we could do. So I think it really is something we need to take a look at.' Some of Reynolds' proposals, like measures on child care infrastructure and energy programs, did not make it to her desk. The child care bill included a provision to shift funding from the existing Early Childhood Iowa (ECI) and federal Child Care and Development Fund Wrap Around Child Care funds to a new $16 million grant pilot program for preschool providers and child care centers. The focus would be on providing full-day care for children. Though the legislation did not pass this session, Reynolds moved forward Tuesday to establish a Continuum of Care grant with the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services releasing an initial Request for Proposal for the grant. The governor also extended the child care assistance pilot program, allowing child care workers to receive child care assistance for their own children. One bill that Reynolds has not weighed in on is House File 639, the legislation proposing multiple changes related to the use of eminent domain in carbon sequestration pipeline projects. The bill passed the Senate following heated debate during the last week of session. Republican leaders in the House, including House Speaker Pat Grassley, have said they believe Reynolds will sign the bill into law despite opposition from the ethanol industry and some high-profile Republicans. June 14 is the deadline for Reynolds to sign bills from the 2025 session into law; if she does not sign or veto a bill by this deadline, it is considered a 'pocket veto' and not enacted. The governor said on 'Iowa Press' she is meeting with stakeholders to discuss the legislation, but is still in the process of researching and considering the impacts of the bill with her policy team and with advocates both for and against the measure. 'Almost every meeting has led to some additional research on my team, I have legal counsel looking at it,' Reynolds said. 'So it's been a really good process, and we're going to continue that through at least the next week. So I want to make sure that I have given individual stakeholders the opportunity to weigh in, so that I can, again, make make the best, informed decision that I can based on information I've heard.' SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig rules out gubernatorial bid, seeks reelection in 2026
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig talked about the ag industry in Iowa and his potential bid for governor, April 25, 2025. (Image from Iowa PBS video) Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig announced Tuesday he will not pursue a gubernatorial election and will instead seek another term as agriculture secretary. Naig was one of the many Republicans considered a potential candidate in the race to succeed Gov. Kim Reynolds after she announced she would not seek reelection in 2026. Naig had said in April he and his family were 'thoughtfully discussing that possibility.' But on Tuesday he said he had decided not to run, adding that there was 'still work to be done growing our state and economy as secretary of agriculture.' Naig has held his current position since being appointed in March 2018 after serving as deputy agriculture secretary under Bill Northey, who was appointed undersecretary for farm production and conservation in the U.S. Department of Agriculture during President Donald Trump's first term in office. Naig won reelection in the 2018 and again in 2022 against Democratic challenger John Norwood. He said he plans to officially launch his 2026 campaign for agriculture secretary at a later date. 'I'm incredibly grateful for the opportunity to serve the people of Iowa as we work to advance an Iowa First agenda that puts farmers, families, and freedom at the center of our future,' Naig said in a statement. 'We have made tremendous progress over the past few years, but there remains important work ahead and we're not done yet — building markets for Iowa products, defending our livestock industry, accelerating soil and water conservation efforts, and making sure rural Iowa thrives for future generations.' Naig said he will continue to 'fight for the hard-working men and women who feed and fuel the world and keep Iowa as the greatest agricultural state in the country.'
Yahoo
25-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Naig talks ag economy, run for governor on ‘Iowa Press'
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig talked about the ag industry in Iowa and his potential bid for governor, April 25, 2025 (Image from Iowa PBS video) Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig is considering a run for governor in 2026, but said he is still talking over the possibility with his family and close supporters. Naig was a guest Friday on the Iowa PBS show 'Iowa Press,' where he also discussed the challenges facing Iowa's agricultural economy, bird flu and eminent domain. Naig, a Republican and native Iowan, has been ag secretary since 2018 and was reelected in 2022. Naig said the announcement from Gov. Kim Reynolds that she would not be seeking reelection came as 'a bit of a surprise' that has caused him to pause and consider the possibility of running for the position. 'I still, at this stage of my life, I want to be of service to the state of Iowa, and I want to think about the best ways that I can do that,' Naig said. Naig said at this time the discussion is on his 'side of the table' with family, friends and supporters to decide if a run for governor is the best path forward. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX When pressed for more details, like staff and campaign strategies in the event of gubernatorial bid, Naig said he's not to that point. 'This is around my kitchen table, this is about me getting into a planter tractor here in the next couple weeks and giving a lot of thought to it,' Naig said. 'That's not to say we're not talking to a lot of folks.' Naig said Republicans in Iowa have a deep bench of potential candidates. Attorney General Brenna Bird, Sen. Mike Bousselot, House Speaker Pat Grassley, and Rep. Bobby Kaufmann have said they are considering the gig. Naig said the agricultural economy in Iowa is 'tough' and while there were positive trade outcomes from the first Trump administration's foreign policy, Iowa farmers are in a worse position now to weather potential trade wars. 'We don't have the kind of buffer in our ag economy — profitability and margins are not where they were even then, today,' Naig said. 'There's not a lot of room to absorb that shock.' Naig said this was a message sent to U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins during her recent visit to Iowa, and that the ag department should be ready to support farmers. Naig said he is 'encouraged' by the countries that are coming to the table to negotiate better trade deals, and hopes to see greater domestic consumption of ag commodities by expanding the ethanol industry and branching into sustainable aviation fuel. 'What you hope and certainly what we're advocating for is unleashing that domestic consumption, but needing to make sure that we've got an expanded trade portfolio as well,' Naig said. Naig said India could be a potential 'game changer' if the country were able to make a trade agreement with the country. The nation is in its fourth year of an outbreak of the highly pathogenic avian influenza, which has impacted more than 168 million birds nationally. Naig said he is considering options, like a vaccine for birds, now that he was not willing to consider three years ago. He also said there needs to be more people in the animal industries sector of the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service to respond to outbreaks like HPAI. The Iowa secretary said he did not believe a 'herd immunity' approach, which has been suggested by U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., was 'a workable solution' to the bird flu. Naig has been pushing for the Legislature to expand the Choose Iowa program, which helps to market and support Iowa grown products and producers. One of its programs is similar to the recently cut federal Local Food for School and Local Food Purchase Assistance programs, which were COVID-era funds to help schools and local institutions purchase from local farmers. Naig said he hopes the Choose Iowa versions, which this year were just pilot programs, could be a permanent program, funded through regular appropriations rather than short-term funding pools. 'We want something that can actually stand the test of time, be around, be something that you can plan for,' Naig said. Naig also addressed the issue of eminent domain, which has been a growing topic of debate across the state, particularly in relation to a carbon sequestration pipeline that has planned more than 1,000 miles of pipeline in the state. 'It should be rare,' Naig said. 'It should be the least desirable option to get something done, and there should be overwhelming voluntary agreements in place before something like a project — any project with eminent domain — would go forward.' SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Yahoo
04-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
D.C. Dispatch: Grassley, Hinson respond to Trump tariffs
Sen. Chuck Grassley appeared on "Iowa Press" on Sept. 15, 2023. (Screenshot via Iowa PBS) In light of Wednesday's tariff announcement by President Donald Trump, U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley introduced legislation this week requiring more congressional oversight of such decisions. The president announced he was setting a baseline 10% levy on all international imports Wednesday, effective April 5, with higher tariffs on some countries taking effect April 9. The 'Liberation Day' announcement triggered the largest one-day drop in the U.S. stock market since June 2020 and has been met with heavy criticism from American businesses. As part of the response Thursday, Grassley introduced the 'American Trade Review Act of 2025' alongside Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Washington. The legislation seeks to restore some Congressional authority over tariffs, including requirements that Congress must pass a joint resolution approving a new tariff within 60 days. The legislation would also allow Congress to vote to end tariffs at any time through a resolution of disapproval. The bill would require that within 48 hours of taking action on tariffs, the president must give Congress an explanation of the reason for implementing or raising a tariff along with an analysis of the potential impact on American businesses and consumers. Grassley said the measure would shift important powers over foreign economic policy from the president to Congress. 'For too long, Congress has delegated its clear authority to regulate interstate and foreign commerce to the executive branch,' Grassley said in a statement. 'Building on my previous efforts as Finance Committee chairman, I'm joining Sen. Cantwell to introduce the bipartisan Trade Review Act of 2025 to reassert Congress' constitutional role and ensure Congress has a voice in trade policy.' U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson of Iowa also weighed in on the tariffs Thursday, telling reporters she believes tariffs are needed to ensure fairer negotiations between the U.S. and other countries moving forward. 'The president's goal here is to not only get other countries to the negotiating table, but really focused on helping to create more opportunity,' Hinson said, according to the Des Moines Register. '… After four years of high inflation — and really no new trade opportunities, no new manufacturing opportunities — that's what they're going to see.' Iowa Democrats have criticized Iowa's U.S. House delegation — all Republicans — for not pushing back against Trump's tariff policies, which Iowa Democratic Party Chair Rita Hart said will hurt Iowa's economy. 'It's clear that Iowa's representatives in Washington are either inept or too afraid to fight back — even when our economy is struggling,' Hart said in a statement. 'I'm sure we'll hear expressions of 'concern,' but actions speak louder than words and they voted to give away the farm to a president more focused on tariffs than lower prices. Iowans need independent voices that will do what's best for Iowa and take us in a more sensible direction.' Hinson introduced legislation Thursday to codify an executive order made by Trump in March titled 'Protecting America's Bank Account Against Fraud, Waste, and Abuse.' The bill directs the U.S. Treasury Department to work with the Office of Management and Budget to establish recertification and pre-award verification procedures that agencies must use before payments are disbursed, and to 'minimize administrative barriers to accessing and using data to prevent fraud and improper payments.' Agencies are also directed to consolidate financial systems under the order and submit compliance plans to the Treasury Department detailing their efforts to update systems. The bill would also require agencies to share payment information verification and other relevant data for the purpose of identifying fraud or improper payments. Hinson said in a news release the Government Accountability Office's estimates the federal government loses between $233 billion and $521 billion each year due to fraud and said that was her motivation to introduce the bill. 'That's hundreds of billions of your tax dollars flushed down the drain without swamp bureaucrats blinking an eye,' Hinson said in statement. 'President Trump's executive order to prevent improper payments is a great step to end this abuse, and my bill will make this effort permanent to ensure your hard-earned tax dollars are not wasted.' U.S. Rep. Zach Nunn was a part of the bipartisan group introducing the 'Hot Foods Act' this week, a bill permitting the purchase of hot, prepared foods through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). SNAP, the food benefits program for low-income families, seniors and people with disabilities, currently has restrictions in place that stops recipients from purchasing hot or prepared meals, while allowing benefits to be spent on cold or frozen versions of the same food. The legislation, led by U.S. Rep. Grace Meng, a New York Democrat, would remove limits on hot and ready-to-eat meals, which she said would provide families on SNAP the ability to buy food that suits their needs. 'The Hot Foods Act removes this dated rule preventing people from purchasing hot foods with SNAP, giving flexibility to working parents, people with disabilities, and the many hard-working Americans who need to put food on the table every day,' Meng said. 'I am proud to work across the aisle to make this commonsense change.' In a news release Thursday, Nunn called the bill a 'commonsense fix' that will help Iowans on SNAP access convenient, nutritious meals. 'No family should have to choose between hunger and dignity,' said Rep. Nunn. 'Iowans deserve the flexibility to use their nutrition benefits on warm, ready-to-eat meals that make life a little easier — especially for working parents.'
