Iowa
How centralized design systems help build trust in digital services
A new resource from the Beeck Center highlights how states can improve online experiences for residents by creating a standard design system for agencies to follow.
Iowa AG joins brief supporting Tennessee law requiring social media age verification
The filing was made in support of a Tennessee state law requiring social media platforms verify a user's age before approving their account.
Inside Iowa’s data solutions looking to reduce recidivism and improve prison management
Timely data insights are helping Iowa’s Department of Corrections target facilities that need extra support to manage and release incarcerated individuals successfully.
Iowa leverages data to make child care easier to find.
The state’s Child Care Connect platform is like “OpenTable for childcare,” streamlining the process of finding and researching available care options, one expert says.
Iowa governor signs statewide ban on cellphones in class
The law requires school boards adopt a policy that, at minimum, bans the use of cellphones in class beginning in the 2025-2026 school year.
State-level DOGE work gathers speed
Oklahoma’s new government efficiency unit issued a report on what it has found to cut, while Iowa’s first-in-the-nation effort held its inaugural meeting. But experts say efficiency isn’t just about cutting spending.
Lawmakers consider requiring parental consent for minors’ social media accounts
The legislation would require consent from a minor's parents before the child could create a social media account.
Lawmakers move bills aimed at stopping minors’ access to obscene materials, porn
The measures proposed would raise penalties on distributing obscene materials to minors and require age verification on certain websites.
Iowa floats first state-level ‘Department of Government Efficiency’
Gov. Kim Reynolds said the new task force would build on the state’s previous efforts to consolidate agencies and technology, which has already saved millions of dollars.
Biden administration doles out $4.2 billion for big-ticket infrastructure projects
A new Boston rail bridge, a California high-speed rail station, electric dock equipment in Miami and a safer highway interchange in Iowa are among the 44 projects selected for funding.
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Bird flu is spreading across the U.S. How worried should you be?
From dairy testing to bird culling, public health officials say there are ways to keep avian influenza in check to avoid widespread disaster.
Eight states to vote on amendments to ban noncitizen voting
It is already illegal under state laws and rare, but Republicans in some states say the language needs to be clearer in their constitutions.
A City Lost About 670,000 Trees. Now It Has a Plan to Replant Them
After a destructive storm, the Iowa locality will spend $37 million to plant more than 42,000 trees over 10 years. “So much of the plan is intended to be replicable to other cities,” says a city official.
Dozens of State and Local Officials Press Biden to Increase Refugee Resettlement in US
“We can and must do more," they say. The Biden administration pledged to ramp up resettlements. But even with deepening humanitarian crises unfolding in Ukraine, Afghanistan and other nations, refugee admissions fell to a historic low in fiscal 2021.
Snowy Roads Will Be Cleared, But It Will ‘Take Extra Time’
The ongoing labor shortage has exacerbated existing plow driver hiring problems, transportation officials said.
States Decide if Workers Fired Over Vaccine Mandates Can Collect Unemployment
When employers fire people because they fail to follow company policy, employees are generally not eligible for benefits. But three states have or could make non compliant workers eligible.
A $1M Project to Prevent Wrong-Way Driving
The Iowa Department of Transportation is using signs and special cameras to try to prevent wrong-way driving collisions, a relatively infrequent but deadly occurrence across the country.
Biden Wants to Offer More Housing Vouchers. Many Landlords Won’t Accept Them
Over 2.2 million households receive subsidies through the Housing Choice Voucher Program.
Are Plastic Driver's Licenses Headed For the Dumpster?
Utah is one of nearly two dozen states exploring digital driver’s licenses, stored on smartphones, that state officials say come with enhanced privacy and control.
Environmentalists Make Long-Shot Attempt to Ban New Factory Farms
It’s becoming clear that some lawmakers no longer see factory farming as a nuisance, but an emergency, as the industry's operations degrade water quality and cause other problems.
